Coke – MY FEST Promotion
The Coke-MY FEST sleeve is a superb example of the quality, finesse and flexibility that sleeving can offer a client. This promotional sleeve can fit over an existing label and contains the unique in-line number.

The Story
This 50 micron PET sleeve was reverse printed in seven colours. The print job contains both the graphics for the outer sleeve, the rules and regulations in the inner sleeve and a unique in-line number. Critical to the project was the absence of strike-through, which was prevented by using white and silver inks in the print process. Essentially all of the complex information on the sleeve inside and out was printed in one pass as opposed to two passes and the running number is added in-line with an ink jet numbering machine. The brand new sleeve can fit over an existing sleeve and retains the glossy body hugging visual impact that is so well associated with Coke. The promotion can then be applied at the brand owner’s leisure, because it doesn’t require special unprinted stock. Existing bottles can be re-labelled.

Technical Challenges
Technically creating this sleeve was extremely challenging. The repro had to ensure that the text was not distorted by the shrinkage. In addition the sleeve needed a perforation that would ensure easy removal by the customer and would also survive the rigours of the supply chain. As mentioned earlier strike-through had to be judiciously avoided so that the label would work effectively from both sides.

The initial layout of the internal graphics resulted in the information being out of order when it was printed. As a result DLC Pack also assisted extensively from the design side and the text order had to be reshuffled so that on printing, the information was linear and correct. The final result was extremely popular. Sales of the bottles were exceptionally good and the response to the competition, pleasing. DLC Pack once again stamped an innovative mark on the world of shrink sleeve labelling.

Energade Labels
The internally applied sticker (for the Lions/Tri Nations tours) allowed the brand owner to take full advantage of the marketing opportunities offered by these major sports events while at the same time creating a value-added collectable series for the consumer. This was the first time that a wraparound label with a sticker was produced commercially in South Africa.

The Story
The Energade wraparound label was printed in 47 micron, metallised BOPP in 7 colours, creating a stunning green and gold effect when in combination with the product tone. The label came in two variants - “Team Spirit” and “The Beast”. While the label alone looks stunning a further innovation to the promotional campaign was a collectable sticker applied in-line to register. As exact registration of the sticker was crucial to the project, an eye mark was printed on the underside of the label. This ensured that the sticker would be applied consistently and accurately. (See accompanying sample.)

Technical Challenges
However, the project created a further challenge. Applying any additional matter to a label be it a sticker or a promo-tag, creates a bulge as it is wound on the reel after application. This bulge, if not carefully managed, causes problems with the application machinery on the filling lines. Therefore DLC Pack had to trial and calculate the exact rewind tension in the reel profile that needed to be applied to the label reel, so that the innovative label and sticker could be accommodated by the existing lines.


Functional Art from Waste
South Africa still has a long way to go in the effective use, reuse and recycling of waste plastics. Afripack donates redundant and scrap raw materials-wood, plastic, cardboard and print trim to various causes including the Ningizimu School for the mentally disabled and the Umcebo Trust. This so-called scrap is being turned into highly desired products that in some cases are regarded as works of art.

The Story
There are well established guidelines at Afripack on how each type of waste is to be processed for recycling and we ensure that the waste arrives in a usable condition i.e. the various types of waste are not mixed. Creative artists at the Umcebo Trust create anything from exotic clothes to wall mosaics, baskets, hats, mats and jewellery, chandeliers and pots from the waste. The clothes in particular express the reservoir of creative skill that often lies dormant in South Africa. The dress and jackets are woven from waste off-cuts and then adorned with buttons and sequins. Metallised holographic BOPP- trim from our “Lucky Packet” range- is particularly popular. Umcebu currently have an order for 100 baskets for the craft shop “Anthropologie” in New York.

Objects of Desire
The Umcebo trust has a retail outlet at Ushaka Marine World in Durban and has also been invited to display some of the designs at the SA fashion week. The Durban Art Gallery also hosted an exhibition in which the work of the Umcebo Crafters received critical acclaim. Orders for goods come from as far as the USA and Europe, and sometimes the Trust struggles to keep pace with the demand. The project also provides major advantages for Afripack. It provides an outlet for a significant portion of our waste and is an excellent marketing tool in a business world that is rapidly waking up to the need to consider the environmental impact of any operation.

Social Impact
Currently the project supports 25 extended families and is growing rapidly. While most of the artworks are created on a small scale, bigger projects are developed to order. The use of the metallised plastic has allowed these artists to create stunning pieces that may sell for as much as R1600. Each worker supports 7-12 family members from the income. This project is a superb example of how socially responsible and caring businesses can impact on local communities and the environment for the better. Who would have thought that scrap off-cuts could be used so effectively to give others a chance for a better life?

Wild Africa Cream Liqueur miniatures
With this project the concept of shrink sleeves was taken a step further with the introduction of sleeves that are soft to the touch.

Designed and developed for the prestigious Wild Africa Cream Liqueur miniatures, the labels carry all the advantages of shrink sleeves, but with a special matt, scuff resistant textured varnish, that creates a warm furry feel. The miniature sleeve mimics the full length cloth sleeve that covers the full size bottle. This new development created a miniature that reflected all the branding of the original 750ml bottle while providing an effective method against counterfeiting. This was the first time that a miniature PET bottle had been sleeved commercially in South Africa.

The Story
Creating a tiny cloth sleeve would have been prohibitively expensive and a logistical nightmare for the filling plant. However the creation of a printed sleeve, while technically difficult, opened up a whole new marketing venture for the brand owner. Full length sleeving was a viable method of decorating a mini bottle without compromising the brand.

Technical Excellence
The full length 50 micron clear PET sleeve is reverse printed flexographically in 7 colours and the surface is printed with a special matt, scuff resistant, non-slip varnish. This varnish gives the label a lovely soft textured feel to the fingertips, and also creates a non-slip grip. The soft touch effect is designed to make the bottle feel furry to the touch. The high shrink sleeve hugs the bottle well, especially over the shoulder and neck, is wipe clean and gives better impact resistance to the PET bottle.

The flexographic printing is of photo quality. The registration is precise. All type is clear and there is no spreading even at the tiniest point size. After a number of trials, a high opacity white was used to give the sleeve visual "punch" and to reduce show through. The attention to detail is exceptional, as is the repro which had to ensure that the graphics and text were pre-distorted, to allow for maximum appeal after shrink. The sleeve and bottle, both being PET, are recyclable together. This is a superb example of how a small bottle can have massive shelf impact. Despite the label being small, the 360º graphics maximise the visual information. The colours and graphics are strong. The use of a small sleeve provided a cost effective and innovative solution that allows the brand to enter wider markets such as airlines, ships and hotels.

Christmas Confectionery
Christmas is about lights and magic both of which were beautifully portrayed in Nestle’s 2006 Christmas fare. In the seasonal spirit Nestle dressed a range of its best known confectionery lines in holographic packs and Aero, Kit Kat and Smarties all sparkled with festive cheer. ACF was the proud recipient of the 2007 Goldpack award for its Nestle ‘8e Christmas range.

DLC Pack’s sequential numbering promo packs
Until recently sequential numbering of promotional flexible packaging was regarded as technically impossible. Thanks to AFC Labels continuous development this is no longer the case.

Lipton’s Ice Tea Summer Miles promotion was printed on both sides of the web using cavitated BOPP, Hi tech inks, an Aquaflex press and plates by Afripack Repro. The alpha-numeric on the reverse was applied in-line. The challenge here was that each number had to be unique and follow a specific linear sequence to correspond with a spread-sheet, which enabled consumers to claim air mile and air-flight prizes. This meant that the print accuracy of the number/ letter combination was critical.

In another example Nestlé’s Marshmallow Goo and Cola Float iced treats required a tamperproof flexible sleeve for the Magic Code promotion. Here two lines of inkjet printing had to be visible on the inside of the pack only and had to include a non-sequential number. This had to follow a specific linear pattern in order to prevent the consumer from guessing the prize-winning packs. An Aquaflex press with in-line lamination and Hi-Tech inks were used to print on clear BOPP with plates from AstraRepro.

Both promotions were so successful that initial orders were substantially increased.