A total of 45 Gold and 96 >18 < 16 Excellence Awards were bestowed in this year's NPA competition.

In conjunction with the British Packaging Association and the Canadian Paperboard Packaging Association, the NPA also named two Best of Show winners in the 4th International Packaging Competition. Held once every five years, it provides an opportunity to showcase and judge the ability and manufacturing capabilities of paperboard packaging converters in the US, UK and Canada.

The Intl. Rigid Box winner, Taylor Box Co.'s "Centurion Welcome Kit," (C) was converted for customer American Express to package a credit card, benefit book and legal documents. The box organizes a significant amount of material clearly and attractively for upscale customers, said judges. A metal end cap is attached to the box's base tray, and a paper hinged base and lid includes a 1-color hot-stamping.

The Intl. Folding Carton winner, Utah Paper Box Co.'s (Salt Lake City) "Christmas Cottage," (D) was manufactured for customer Salt Lake Candle. It incorporates a special auto-bottom and "cottage top," lending a fun, gift presentation and allowing the consumer to see, feel and smell the candle product, said judges. The carton was printed in 4-color offset process and detailed with hot-stamped foil.