Diamond Packaging has announced a commitment to purchase clean, renewable wind energy for 100% of its electrical energy requirements through RG&E and wind energy marketer and developer Community Energy. The purchase illustrates the company's continued commitment to the environment and the community.

“We’re proud to be a leader in our industry and to do our part for the environment. Our customers recognize and value the commitment we’ve made to a safe and secure energy future. We hope others will follow our lead and make the choice as well,” said Karla Fichter, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Packaging.

Diamond will purchase approximately 6,723,600 kilowatt hours (kWhs) of renewable energy credits over a one-year period. Compared to the average generation mix in the regional electric grid, the environmental benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting approximately 4,156 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, the impact of which is equivalent to planting more than 3,744 acres of trees each year or not driving 10.4 million miles.

“Diamond Packaging has stepped up as a leader in New York State. Their renewable energy purchase puts their energy dollars to work to benefit our economy, our environment and our energy security. As more customers choose to follow their lead and purchase clean, homegrown energy, we can build more clean power to meet that demand,” said Brent Alderfer, president of Community Energy.

“Diamond Packaging has made a strong commitment to wind energy, and for that the company deserves our congratulations,” said Jim Laurito, President and Chief Executive Officer of RG&E. “The company’s purchase of clean, renewable wind energy will help protect the environment and help foster the development of more ‘green’ energy sources.”

The wind energy purchase is part of Diamond’s greenbox initiative, the company’s commitment to research, design, and implement packaging solutions that are innovative and sustainable. The initiative balances business with environmental considerations by promoting sustainability in all aspects of package production.

The core of Diamond’s greenbox initiative – designs, materials, and methods – represents a comprehensive approach to packaging that minimizes environmental impact throughout the supply chain.

Diamond also addresses sustainability throughout the manufacturing process. This includes incorporating best practices at the plant level, such as recycling, process improvements, energy efficiency, and resource recovery and waste management. The wind power purchase is an extension of this objective.

The Diamond greenbox initiative is one more way to surpass customers’ expectations today, tomorrow, and into a greener future.

Since 1911, Diamond Packaging has dedicated itself to providing the highest standard of quality, innovation and cost effective packaging for companies including Bausch & Lomb, Beiersdorf, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Coty, Godiva Chocolatier, Procter & Gamble, and L’Oreal USA. As part of the Global Packaging Alliance® (GPA), Diamond and its alliance members offer packaging solutions to companies operating on an international scale. Customers receive responsive, localized service, award-winning creative designs, identical product specifications and consistent brand recognition, resulting in unparalleled worldwide packaging support.

For more information about Diamond Packaging, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at www.diamondpackaging.com. For more information about Diamond’s greenbox initiative, visit the new sustainability microsite at www.diamondpackaging.com/green.

Your choice of paper stock may affect the final foil and/or embossing image on a piece. This segment is the first in a two-part series that will discuss why paper selection is so important to the overall success of the job when utilizing these design mediums. For instance, papers such as 25% cotton, 100% cotton, vellum, laid stock, and other porous papers will dull certain foils.

All foils (whether metallic, gloss or matte pigment, pearl, pastel, or 2D holographic) are formulated with different releases to adhere to varying types of stocks. You may use one type of foil release for a dry, uncoated stock and yet another for a coated stock. The solution is to communicate to your print finishing supplier the stock you’ve selected so a foil formulated for that specific stock can be ordered. If dealing with a coated stock, check with your printer to determine the dyne count (surface tension) of the sheet. The dyne count should be higher than 40 for the sheet to be foil stamped. If unsure, pre-testing can be a great way to check adhesion.

Dark Colored Stock

As opacity levels vary with different foils, resulting colors and contrast may not be acceptable when applied to dark stocks. This is not only true of translucent pastel, pearl, and light-colored foils, but with high gloss pigments as well. When using a dark stock with a translucent foil, you may need to hit the image area with opaque white first in order to achieve the effect you desire. The key is to check with your stamping supplier to achieve the best results.

Recycled Stock

Due to high compression levels of recycled fiber, stamping large solid areas requires significantly more tonnage, or pressure, applied by the stamping press compared to virgin fiber stock. Because of this fact, often a foil will not appear as mirror-like, and fine lettering or detail can present a greater challenge because of compression inconsistencies. In addition, because of the abrasive, fibrous nature of these stocks, die life is shortened, often resulting in loss of detail or additional cost. And remember, paper consistency can vary between recycled paper lots. Do not assume a job will stamp the second time around. Pre-testing is always recommended when utilizing recycled stock.

Conclusion

Full-service carton converters can provide a general guideline of the suitability of foil stamping and holography with different substrates. Choosing a supplier with expertise in foil stamping on different stocks will ensure that you’ve chosen the right one.