AWA Sleeve Label Awards 2025 – Winners

On September 15, 2025, the winners of the Sleeve Label Awards 2025 were announced
in Barcelona, Spain. Now in its 11th year, this prestigious competition celebrates
excellence and innovation in the global shrink-sleeve labeling industry.
The judging panel, composed of independent experts, included Dr. Séamus Lafferty
(Consultant), Tom Hammer (Head of Technical Marketing, Siegwerk Narrow Web – USA),
and Heath Luetkens (Executive Director, iC3D Software). Entries were evaluated across
a range of criteria, including print and artwork quality, container application, converting
and seaming, innovation, and overall shelf impact.
In response to the exceptionally high number of submissions, the judges introduced
three distinct award categories for the 2025 edition. The awards were presented by Corey
M. Reardon, President and CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates, to the following
companies:
Can Category Winner
Client: Ghost Peaches
Company: McDowell Label
A returning winner, Ghost – now presented in Peach – once again raises the bar with its
haptic-intensive tactile doming, expertly replicating the feel of a basketball. This special
edition College Basketball Crown collaboration showcases high-fidelity, vibrant color
and a standard-setting execution, resulting in a visually striking product that delivers a
tactile and immersive brand experience. Elevating can decoration to an exceptional
standard, this package is a most deserving winner in the TD shrink sleeve can category.
Joint Winner: TD Sleeve Category Winner
Client: Ketel One Lemon Drop Martini
Company: CCL Label
Strongly branded and color-coded for flavor recognition, Ketel One Lemon Drop Martini
is a sleek, high-impact, and elegant example of premium shrink-sleeve execution. UV
inks with light-blocking properties protect the contents, while a second, perfectly colormatched tamper-evident sleeve further enhances functionality. The design skillfully
blends modern shrink-sleeve aesthetics with the classic Ketel One label, preserving the
brand’s heritage while projecting a contemporary look. Technically, the execution is
outstanding, with a martini-shaped reveal window and embellishments such as cold foil
and glitter varnish. The result is a complex, visually striking, and highly accomplished
package that makes it a deserving co-winner in the TD shrink sleeve category.
Client: Skyy Espresso Martini
Company: McDowell Label
Clean, premium, and elegant, Skyy Espresso Martini delivers a technically solid shrink
sleeve execution. Exceptionally tight registration of graphics and doming varnish is
achieved in a full top-to-toe sleeve, with integrated tamper evidence and precisely
executed perforations. Simple yet clever graphics are elevated by doming to enhance
brand presence, while the sandpaper tactile varnish adds a compelling sensory
dimension. Careful film resin selection enabled the high shrink percentage and
controlled shrink force required at the cap. Altogether, this is a standout example of
shrink-sleeve technology—seamlessly uniting form, function, and brand expression in a
way no other decoration can match. A worthy co-winner in the TD shrink sleeve category.
Honorable Mention TD Sleeve
Client: BuzzBallz – Witch’s Potion
Company: Steinhauser
The Witch’s Potion sleeve for BuzzBallz exemplifies the strengths of shrink-sleeve
technology—no other process so effectively integrates shape, texture, graphic design,
and brand identity. The gritty matte black finish imparts a tactile, cauldron-like surface
that convincingly replicates the look and feel of cast iron. More than a label, the shrink
sleeve creates the illusion of holding a witch’s cauldron, transforming the package into
an immersive part of the drinking experience. The vessel’s challenging round shape,
combined with restrained yet purposeful graphics, makes this a standout example of how
shrink sleeve technology elevates packaging into a compelling brand experience. For its
ambition, shelf impact, and strong execution on a complex form, the judges award an
Honorable Mention.