API Transfer Technologies has joined forces with A B Graphic International (ABG), Tomlinson, Berkshire Labels and Studio Parr to create an ambitious innovation project that celebrates craftsmanship, creativity and technical excellence within the label and packaging industry.
Created from a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of print and finishing, MYTHOS brings together five companies, each a specialist in their field. The result is a stunning collection of six luxury label samples inspired by the rich storytelling and timeless elegance of Greek mythology. Each is designed to demonstrate the very best of what can be achieved through collaboration, precision and innovation.
The initiative, led by Tomlinson, a renowned specialist in precision die-making, was designed to create industry-leading samples that would set a new standard for luxury label production. Building on more than a decade of successful partnerships, the five companies combined their respective strengths across design, materials, tooling, foiling, printing, and finishing to realise a bold creative vision.
Each label in the MYTHOS series was embellished with API Transfer Technologies hot stamping foils, ranging from satin, matt, gloss, pearl and holographic, to achieve stunning depth and reflectivity. The performance of the transfer products was pushed to the maximum and resulted in stunning foil embossed and foil textured finishes.
The artistry of the MYTHOS labels is matched by the depth of expertise behind them. Tomlinson, established in the 1920s and the UK’s oldest independent die-maker, supplied a range of high-quality brass dies, including micro-textured, sculptured, flat, bevelled, fluted, embossed, debossed and multi-level designs.
The MYTHOS series was printed by Berkshire Labels using an HP Indigo WS6800 digital press, before being finished on a Digicon Series 3 – ABG’s flagship modular finishing system.
The ABG Digicon Series 3 configuration used on the project featured a comprehensive set-up designed to achieve the highest standards of visual and tactile impact. It included an unwind and corona unit, a Big Foot foil and emboss unit (50 tonnes) for premium hot foil and embossing, two full rotary flexo units, a turn bar and over lamination, a half turn bar, a high-speed flat-bed screen unit for varying varnish build heights, another Big Foot foil and emboss unit, as well as die-cutting, stripping and twin rewind capabilities.
This combination of technologies enabled the application of multiple foil types, intricate embossing and debossing effects and precise layering of finishes to produce labels that are both visually striking and technically sophisticated.
In addition, Berkshire Labels, with over 40 years of manufacturing expertise, combined digital and traditional printing to deliver unmatched precision and quality.
And finally, Studio Parr, the UK-based creative agency, brought the concept to life through bold, Greek mythology-inspired designs, expertly balancing artistry with technical execution.
“The MYTHOS collection is a celebration of everything our industry stands for – collaboration, creativity and excellence in execution,” noted Matt Burton, ABG’s Global Sales Director. “It’s not just about what you see, but about the process, precision and passion behind each label.”
MYTHOS represents a new benchmark in luxury label design, a testament to the power of imagination, innovation and collaboration. A leading manufacturer of hot stamping (metallic and pigment) and cold transfer products, API Transfer Technologies, provides embellishments solutions to enhance designs with the use of its large range of transfer products, offering a metallic reflective finish to add value and a touch of luxury to packaging.
Caption:
The Mythos labels were printed on a Big Foot foil and emboss unit from ABG