On Display: Decorating Techniques & Products - Enhancing Elements
Colorants
A
family of stock and custom colorants, special effects,
and color and additive systems is available for
thermoplastic applications. The OnColor product
group includes more than 100 standard color masterbatches
in black, white, and all primary hues. Compatible
with most resins, the colorants are offered in a
range of shades and with pearlescent and metallic
special effects. PolyOne Corp., Avon Lake, OH.
Finishes for Metal
Aerosol
packages can be decorated with a number of effects.
Color Change is an effect that creates a gradation
of colors on an aerosol package. The degree of the
effect depends on the amount of pigment used. Changing
a package's base coat can also provide a different
look when combined with Color Change. Crown Aerosol
Packaging, Philadelphia, PA.
Two-Tone Effect
Bottles
produced with PETek color concentrates can feature elegant
or unusual combinations of color. Developed by DevTech
Labs Inc., the SeCoTech technique is a sequential coinjection
process that injects PET from various colored melt streams
into the mold cavity. The injection results in a preform
with two regions, and a subsequent blow-molding process
yields bottles with a two-tone appearance. Teknor Color
Co., Pawtucket, RI.
Cloth Materials
Cloth
materials can be used to add a high-end look to cosmetic packages.
The materials are available in a wide range of colors, finishes,
and textures. The coverings can be customized with embossing,
offset printing, screen printing, and foil- or pigment-stamping.
The company has also developed colors and finishes that incorporate
iridescence, metallic looks, and various embossing patterns.
ICG/Holliston, Church Hill, TN.
Anodizing and Decorating
A
producer of anodized aluminum components for the cosmetics
and other industries specializes in postanodizing techniques.
It also performs pad- and screen-printing while maintaining
tight tolerances. Unlimited color matching is available,
as is anodizing in bright, satin, and matte finishes.
An oxide-coating process provides a corrosive-resistant
finish that is not susceptible to fading, chipping,
scratching, or peeling. Anomatic Corp., Newark, OH.
Multicolor-Effect Pigment
A
pigment that demonstrates a color change from green
to silver, red, and orange is the most recent addition
to the Colorstream product line. The pigment, called
Tropic Sunrise, changes in appearance based on the angle
of observation. Its transparent properties make it suitable
for use in conjunction with organic and inorganic colorants,
as well as other pigments. EMD Chemicals Inc., Gibbstown,
NJ.
Easy-to-Assemble Rings
Decorative
rings are fashioned with built-in teeth that allow the
collar to be pressed on to a cap or a container. This
makes assembly easy, since the ring doesn't require
glue to be attached. The rings are available in low-
and high-purity aluminum. They can be post- or preanodized
in a variety of colors. Color matching is also offered.
The company provides medallions for lipstick and nail
polish container caps, as well as collars. International
Metal Products Inc., Chicopee, MA.
Pastel Colors
A line of pastel packaging material is crafted from latex-saturated paper. Corvon Fiori can be customized with various print patterns, textures, and delicate embossing techniques. The material is compatible with many manufacturing and secondary processes, including die-cutting, postembossing, silk-screening, and foil stamping. FiberMark, Brattleboro, VT.
Custom Decoration
A
company offers such custom items as charms, medallions,
pewter and dome labels, and waxlike seals for packaging
enhancement. Manufacturing processes include cast metal,
aluminum stamping, plastic injection molding, and printing.
Customers' logos and color schemes can be incorporated
into the stock products. Stoffel Seals Corp., Nyack,
NY.
Retro Colors
Deep-hued,
high-impact resins can add a jolt of color to cosmetic
and personal care packages. The Apothecary Color Series
features six colors: deep-blue Cobalt; amber-tinted
Sepia; bright-green Spring; water-blue Azure; clear
Crystal; and Aqua, a color reminiscent of the shade
of old-fashioned soda bottles. The colors were inspired
by the look of vintage pharmacy packages. Eastman Chemical
Co., Kingsport, TN.
Earthy Pigments
A
pigment supplier has introduced Lumina Russet and Copper
pigments, which add earthy, metallic copper and rouge
effects to plastics, coatings, and inks. Nonreactive
and nontarnishing under most conditions, the pigments
are compatible with both solvent- and water-based liquid
coatings, as well as powder coatings. They can be incorporated
during injection molding, blow molding, or extrusion
processing. They can also be used in inks for gravure,
flexographic, and screen printing. Engelhard Corp.,
Iselin, NJ.
Textured Look
A
foam-etching effect can impart a textured look to coextruded
blow-molded bottles and tubes. Based on the company's
Hydrocerol chemical- foaming agent, used in combination
with resin and color masterbatches, the technology yields
a finished bottle with a fine-grained, pebbly surface.
The appearance is similar to that of etched or frosted
glass. The effect can be achieved in polypropylene and
polyethylene. Masterbatches Div., Clariant International
Ltd., Muttenz, Switzerland.