Alcoa's Whisker Lickin' Label: Shrink Sleeves Provide Purina Packaging with Pop and New-Found Flexibility
- Published: December 12, 2003, By PRESS RELEASE
RICHMOND, VA, USA—Alcoa Flexible Packaging reports it's supplying the shrink sleeve label for Nestle Purina PetCare’s modernized Whisker Lickin’s packaging. According to the manufacturer, the original cat-treat packaging was a straight-wall container with a paper label and plastic cap. "The new version features a contoured, easy-to-hold HDPE container complemented by the form-fitting, glossy Alcoa shrink sleeve," states the co.
Alcoa says five of the labels are reverse rotogravure printed at the manufacturer's Downingtown Printing Plant, Downingtown, PA, using Bonset’s PVC 50 micron shrink film. The remaining four labels, for the Canadian market, are printed using the flexographic printing process. "All of the sleeves utilize seven colors, four process colors and three spot colors, to create colorful, eye-catching labels that stand out next to competitive products," states Alcoa's press release.
Says Terry Copenhaver, Alcoa Flexible Packaging's commercial manager, “[One] of the benefits of a printed shrink sleeve [is that] the graphics can be slightly altered for special promotions or different markets, yet you have a 360-degree-wraparound billboard display, so you can still incorporate the graphics of your overall brand image and you, or your contract packer, is not forced to inventory multiple pallets of pre-labeled containers.”
The Alcoa Flexible Packaging shrink sleeves come in roll form, and the converter says changing the labels is an easy task, requiring minimal changeover. For this label application, the Nestle Purina Whisker Lickin’s HDPE containers have the shrink labels applied by an Accutek Model #SBA100 sleever at Toll Packaging, Gibson City, IL. "After hot air shrinking, the labels tightly fit the contours of the shapely container prior to filling. This method allows for a very tight, form-fitting shrink with the label tucking securely under the bottom of the container for a continuous graphic down the length of the package," explains Alcoa.
Learn more about Alcoa Flexible Packaging at alcoa.com/flexiblepackaging.
Supplier Information
Bonset America Corp.
, Browns Summit, NC; 336/375-0234
Toll Packaging, Gibson City, IL; 888/248-8423 ; 217/784-4238; tollpackaging.com
Accutek Packaging Equipment Companies, Vista, CA; 800/989-1828; accutekpackaging.com
