Quality,
PLAin and simple All Stick Label develops solution
for compostable labels
As
environmental awareness increasingly drives the purchase decision
of today’s consumer, BIOTA Spring Water can pride itself
as a true innovator in the water and beverage industry. That’s
because BIOTA is the world’s first to use a compostable
plastic bottle – right down to the label.
In a commercial composting process, BIOTA’s bottles
will degrade within 75 to 80 days. The bottles are manufactured
with polyactic acid (PLA), a completely biogradable substance
that is derived from corn. The environmental advantages over
traditional petroleum-based plastics are obvious: corn is
abundant, renewable and biogradable. Oil isn’t.
Although the bottle label was manufactured with same PLA substance
that went into the bottle, the initial printing experience
was somewhat disappointing. The ink would not adhere properly
to the label stock and issues with quality in general threatened
to hurt sales and overall marketability of the product.
By the summer of 2004, BIOTA was looking to partner with a
new label supplier for its
water bottles. That’s when All Stick Label (ASL) entered
the picture. Having earned a solid reputation for quality
in the packaging and pressure sensitive label industry, ASL
was approached by BI-AX, a producer of PLA corn-based resin
and Green Bay Packaging, who manufactures the label stock
from the resin.
After several print tests, both BI-AX and Green Bay Packaging
were confident enough to recommend ASL as BIOTA’s label
supplier of choice. After an executive visit of BIOTA’s
bottling facility in Ouray, Colorado, and other high-level
meetings, BIOTA placed its first order for 1,000,000 front,
back & neck labels for its 500ml bottle, with a goal of
introducing the other sizes in the near future.
In less than three months the ASL team pulled together in
a highly collaborative and company-wide effort to fulfill
the order. It faced challenges such as re-creating BIOTA’s
label design without the availability of the master artwork
files. ASL was diligent in its focus on quality, conducting
extensive proof and press trials, fine-tuning the design throughout
the testing phase to ensure that all elements of the label
design were successfully realized on press.
By doing so, ASL clearly exceeded the customer’s expectations. In
the words of Gary Hofer, then BIOTA’s V.P. of Operations,
the labels were “absolutely fantastic! Infinitely better
than anything we have previously received!”
“As
a customer you want it all, a great product, great service
and competitive pricing. Rarely do you get all three. All
Stick Label is one of the few companies where this is considered
business as usual,” says Mr. Hofer. “My recent
experience with All Stick Label proved this to be true. The
entire process of sales, label design, press checks to delivery
was a pleasurable and productive experience. Everyone I dealt
with was enthusiastic, competent and very professional. It
was enjoyable doing business with a company that truly makes
you feel like you are their most important customer.”
As a result of its satisfaction with both ASL’s product
and service, BIOTA has since recommended the label manufacturer
to several other companies looking for PLA-based pressure
sensitive labels. ASL is currently working on a number of
large runs with soft drinks and fresh food producers.
BIOTA labelling challenge exemplifies All Stick Label’s
customer-focused philosophy and shows what its team can accomplish
when the opportunity arises. As a “can-do” innovator
in the industry, ASL is continuously looking for the next
trend, producing innovative labels that are unique, and that
exceed the client’s expectations.
As
environmental awareness increasingly drives the purchase decision
of today’s consumer, BIOTA Spring Water can pride itself
as a true innovator in the water and beverage industry. That’s
because BIOTA is the world’s first to use a compostable
plastic bottle – right down to the label.
water bottles. That’s when All Stick Label (ASL) entered
the picture. Having earned a solid reputation for quality
in the packaging and pressure sensitive label industry, ASL
was approached by BI-AX, a producer of PLA corn-based resin
and Green Bay Packaging, who manufactures the label stock
from the resin. 
“As
a customer you want it all, a great product, great service
and competitive pricing. Rarely do you get all three. All
Stick Label is one of the few companies where this is considered
business as usual,” says Mr. Hofer. “My recent
experience with All Stick Label proved this to be true. The
entire process of sales, label design, press checks to delivery
was a pleasurable and productive experience. Everyone I dealt
with was enthusiastic, competent and very professional. It
was enjoyable doing business with a company that truly makes
you feel like you are their most important customer.”
