It’s time to get off the bench and onto the playing field. The industry’s new game plan will be broadcast at 2011 IADD·FSEA Odyssey, through education, training, equipment, and a vast array of new technologies that will allow attendees in the diecutting/diemaking, print finishing, folding carton, and corrugated industries to rewrite the rules to position for growth. The 2011 Odyssey will take place May 4-6, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee USA. The “New Game, New Rules” theme leads participants to new outcomes and opportunities, as Odyssey continues its well-established reputation for providing quality programming in a unique learning arena through both the Technology Hall and on the TechshopTM floor – all geared for serious market expansion.

Sponsored by the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), the Odyssey is the converting industry’s premier event targeted specifically to diemaking/diecutting, foil stamping/embossing and specialty effects processes. This includes the folding carton, print finishing and binding, and corrugated industries. According to Odyssey Planning Co-Chair Eric Anderson, “You can’t win if you don’t get in the game. New strategies and clever plays are the result of clear vision … which attendees can get through any of the eight increasingly popular TechshopTM sessions (a unique set of workshops where technical challenges are tackled on-press in a production-like environment), in one of 12 different classroom sessions, or in the Exhibition Hall.” Attendees will have numerous opportunities over the three-day venue to explore practical solutions to everyday challenges and gather valuable information on industry trends.

For the most recent information on the 2011 IADD·FSEA Odyssey, including exhibitor information and floor plans, visit the new Odyssey website at www.OdysseyExpo.org, email info@OdysseyExpo.org or contact the IADD directly at 1-800-828-IADD (local 1-815-455-7519) or the FSEA at 1-785-271-5816.
 

 
Topeka, Kan. The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) is pleased to present its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award to Ed Hughes of Metal Magic. The prestigious award recognizes Hughes for his four decades of dedication to the promotion of foil stamping and embossing as a premier finishing solution throughout the world. His relentless efforts to share knowledge across the board between industry sectors, including engraving, production, and sales, have been an essential contribution to the growth and well-being of the industry at large.

Hughes began his career as an engraving apprentice with Hallmark in 1965. He soon became an accomplished and highly skilled engraver and was offered his first training job with Greenspan and Kushland in New York. In 1976, Hughes started his 23-year career with Universal Lustre Leaf (now Universal Engraving, Inc.) where he trained engravers, conducted seminars, and was involved on the ground floor with bringing many projects to fruition including CNC engraving, copper die etching, and refractive etching. In 1999, Hughes started his own engraving company called Perspective Engraving in Las Vegas, Nev., which serviced customers nationwide.

In 2002, he decided to join the Metal Magic team in Phoenix, Ariz. where he works today in sales and customer service – educating customers, CSRs, designers, and pressmen on what he knows best – engraving dies. “Knowledge is power,” said Master Engraver Ed Hughes. “Whatever you possess, you have a duty to share that knowledge. That’s what keeps the industry healthy and alive.” Hughes was honored at the FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Banquet on April 10, 2010, in New Orleans, La., in conjunction with the FSEA National Convention, April 9-10.

To read the full article on Hughes’ career and industry contributions, see A Journey of Knowledge – FSEA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Ed Hughes.

FSEA Honors the Winners of the 2009 Gold Leaf Awards Competition

Foil Stamping, embossing, holography, and unique effects such as specialty coatings, laminates, decorative diecutting, and cold foil on a product represent quality, added value, shelf presence, individuality, and security – attributes that allow a product to shine above the rest of the competition. Whether a greeting card, package, presentation folder, label, or promotional item, the ability to stand out above the crowd and unmask the extraordinary is just the type of eye-catching work that the Foil & Specialty Effects Association showcases in its annual Gold Leaf Awards Competition – a culmination of the most creative, brilliant, and technically difficult works in the industry.

The 2009 competition once again soared with extraordinary entries submitted from FSEA member and non-member companies from all over the world, once again exemplifying images of top quality craftsmanship and expressions of excellence in the areas of foil stamping, embossing, specialty effects, and design. New to this year’s competition, categories were added relating to excellence in specialty effects applications, including specialty UV coatings, laminates, and laser cutting, as well as categories relating to the use of ‘green’ materials and the cold foil process. Entries were judged on design, execution, and level of difficulty in 28 different categories with a gold, silver, and bronze award presented in each category. More than 200 pieces were received from the United States (and Puerto Rico), Canada, Finland, Australia, and China – continuing the competition’s steadfast commitment to gaining visibility throughout the graphic arts community at large.

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association proudly recognizes the winners of the 17th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition, honoring them at the Gold Leaf Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the FSEA National Convention at the Loews Hotel in New Orleans in early April. To view all of the 2009 Gold Leaf Award winners, click here.
 

 
The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), Topeka, Kan., recently received the Gold Ink Awards’ “People’s Choice Award” for its 2009 Membership Directory. For the first time, all of the Gold Ink Award winners were put on display at the Gold Ink Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet held in conjunction with PRINT® 09 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. Each banquet guest was asked to cast a single vote as to which Gold Award Winner should receive the “People’s Choice Award” for outstanding printing. During the reception, the entries were carefully examined; votes were cast; and from among 48 Gold Award winners, the FSEA 2009 Membership Directory emerged as the overall favorite.

The Gold Ink Awards Competition, co-sponsored by Printing Impressions and Book Business magazines, has earned the respect of the industry’s most import producers and creators of printed work for more than 20 years. This year’s Gold Ink Award winners were chosen from over 1,000 entries submitted within 48 different categories. Winning pieces surpassed their competitors based on print quality, technical difficulty, and overall visual effect. The exquisite butterfly directory cover was foil stamped in three passes (one with refraction and one with 2-D holographic foil) in tight registration, spot coated with a specialty glitter UV coating, and wire-o bound with a laser-cut butterfly wing tipped on to the front. To learn more about membership in the FSEA, click here.