Smurfit Kappa Pre-Print & Coatings in collaboration with Molson Coors Beverage Company are delighted to confirm that they have reached the summit of European recognition for the highest quality of flexographic print - winning the annual FTA Diamond Award at this month's event in Milan.

Smurfit Kappa launched their HD Pre-Print capability almost a decade ago to offer clients a cost-effective but premium printing technique that achieves bright and bold imagery delivered at the highest resolution. The flexographic process involves printing prior to corrugating for a better quality finish. Practical yet powerful, HD pre-print enables brands to keep one eye on colour and another on cost.

FTA Europe Diamond Award winners

The prestigious FTA Europe Diamond Awards recognise only the highest gold standard winners from each country's national competitions. By winning the title in the 2022 super-wide category, Smurfit Kappa have once again solidified their standing as one of the elite printing partners throughout Europe.

The judges were particularly impressed with the high-definition execution of the iconic Coors brand imagery on the 'Coors 20 Pack' reference.

Stiff competition

The winners of each of the 14 categories were presented with a diamond and were whittled down from a total of 120 entries, each entrant considered the cream of the crop in the national print and flexo industry.

Some of the other industry-leading businesses competing for an illustrious Diamond Industry Award included ATEF (Spain), ATF Flexo (France), ATIF (Italy), EFTA (Benelux), and FIA UK, so Smurfit Kappa were up against strong competition.

Optimised high-quality flexo print

Smurfit Kappa Pre-Print & Coatings' General Manager Chris Shaw said: "We have really enjoyed working on the broad range of projects with the team at Coors, UK. The FTA Europe Diamond Award demonstrate we are supplying packaging recognised as the highest standard in our sector".

Senior Category Manager at Molson Coors Beverage Company, Lauren Mills, said: "Smurfit Kappa is a trusted partner for helping us ensure our premium brands are represented to the highest quality for our customers and consumers. Great job!"