UPM Raflatac unveils new swatchbooks

UPM Raflatac has launched its new swatchbooks for wine, spirits, beverage and premium labeling. The swatchbooks, available in a compact and larger-scale format in the EMEIA market, allow printers, brands and designers to assess the texture, color and esthetics of a wide portfolio of high-quality label materials. 

‘Swatchbooks are essential tools for printers and designers, providing both a visual and tactile feel of label materials. Our goal was to present our solutions in a way which is both user-friendly and uniquely inspirational for the target market,’ described Stefano Pistoni, senior manager, business growth, wine and spirits label solutions, UPM Raflatac. 

The swatchbooks include UPM Raflatac’s SmartChoice paper and filmic products. These products help support brand-owners wanting to reduce their environmental impact through materials with recycled content and renewable or resource-optimized raw materials. Detailed product information for these and other solutions is accessible via QR codes throughout the swatchbook. Examples of the featured SmartChoice solutions are: 

Carbon Action PP UCO, an ISCC Plus certified bio-circular face film made with 30 percent renewable content on a mass-balance basis, enabling quantified carbon footprint reduction. 

Forest Film, the world’s first ISCC certified wood-based plastic label material. 

Ocean Action, the world’s first certified label material to fight ocean bound plastic pollution. 

Drops WSA PCR-FSC, a unique textured paper with 100 percent recycled fiber share. 

To develop the swatchbook design, UPM Raflatac collaborated with multiple-time Pentawards winning design agency Maba, and industry leading printer Grafical also participated in the project. By collaborating with such well-established value chain partners UPM Raflatac was able to gain insights from the actual users of swatchbooks, enabling the creation of the best possible user experience. 

‘The beautiful design of the new swatchbooks is inspired by UPM's Finnish heritage and Nordic nature. This, combined with innovation and design traditions, is showcased throughout the new swatchbooks, featuring shapes that resemble Finnish lakes and an innovative, nature-inspired aesthetic,’ said Carles Anadon, senior manager, business growth, consumer label solutions, UPM Raflatac. 

The swatchbooks will be on display officially for the first time at Packaging Première, part of Paris Packaging Week 2025, at stand B22 on January 28–29.