TAMPERE, FINLAND–DS Smith Finland, a part of International Paper since early 2025, achieved exceptional international recognition at the prestigious Flexographic Technical Association Excellence in Flexography Awards 2025. The acclaimed Carlsberg beer 18-pack, produced at DS Smith, was awarded a gold medal in the Combined Corrugated, Process category. The piece also garnered the esteemed Best of Show title.

This achievement is remarkable as it represents DS Smith Finland’s first-ever win in the United States, followed on the heels of its first honor in several years from the UK-based FlexoTech Awards, where an award was received in October 2024.

The project showcased the capabilities of flexographic printing, successfully matching–and even surpassing–offset quality standards.

Challenging Transition
Originally designed for offset printing with seven colors, the key challenge was to replicate the high-quality visual impact using the flexographic method, which inherently uses fewer colors.

DS Smith and its partner Marvaco Oy successfully managed to reduce the color count from seven to five, significantly enhancing cost-efficiency and sustainability without compromising quality or brand integrity.

According to Lina Lehtinen, DS Smith’s supply chain manager, the task was formidable: “The original offset-printed packaging set very high standards for us. Reproducing this with fewer colors through flexography required meticulous planning, workshop collaboration, and precise adjustments to ensure flawless color accuracy and image quality.”

Meticulous Execution
The two-month preparation process involved multiple international stakeholders including Carlsberg’s brand managers from the UK and Marvaco’s technical experts from Finland. An extensive approval process involved sending preliminary color samples to the UK, followed by an onsite review in Tampere. 

Andy Parish, product change manager at Carlsberg Britvic, was deeply impressed by the result: “This packaging, originally executed using offset printing, was recreated using flexographic techniques, and the result was superior, even though fewer colors were used. It’s a testament to DS Smith’s innovation and expertise.”

Registration and Vignettes
Judges specifically praised the meticulous prepress work, excellent registration, and smooth vignette execution. The design allowed minimal room for errors, requiring exceptional precision. The DS Smith team delivered flawless alignment and unmatched dot reproduction through rigorous workflow management and a detailed fingerprinting process.

Mirva Koskinen, commercial director at Marvaco, emphasized the value of long-term collaboration: “High-quality print outcomes result from identifying all crucial factors through longstanding partnerships. Such excellence also advances flexographic printing as a leading technology.”

Customer Impact
The project’s successful execution and recognition in both European and American competitions have greatly elevated DS Smith’s profile and underscored its flexographic expertise. Lehtinen remarked.

“Winning in such prestigious competitions significantly boosts our visibility and credibility internationally. It demonstrates to both current and potential customers that we consistently meet and exceed demanding standards.”

DS Smith’s Managing Director Ari Viinikkala summarized the significance of the achievement. “This victory highlights our team’s world-class expertise and unwavering dedication. Achieving Best of Show, the highest accolade, validates the quality, precision, and innovation embedded in our flexographic processes.”

Sustainable Future
Beyond technical prowess, the project underlines DS Smith’s commitment to sustainability. By reducing color usage, the project sets a new standard even in offset contexts, indicating potential widespread adoption across printing methods.

Viinikkala concluded with a forward-looking perspective: “The awarded packaging proves that corrugated board can achieve stunning visual results sustainably. We are confident that such achievements will encourage further adoption of flexographic technology and elevate industry standards.”

Editor’s Note: FTA’s 2026 Excellence in Flexography Awards competition is now open for entry. The official awards brochure, containing complete details and entry instructions will appear in the September 2025 issue of FLEXO Magazine.