It’s a long-standing truth in marketing that the power of storytelling should never be underestimated. This principle holds just as true in the printing industry. Even though we take pride in our work, technical details such as producing something on a B1 press with 8 werks, 4+4 colors, might not resonate with an audience unfamiliar with industry jargon. Instead, the story behind the creation of a packaging material—or in this case, a bookazine—can be far more engaging.   Fortunately, Válasz Online Publishing Ltd. and Szabolcs Vörös, the author-editor of 1000 Days – The War of East and West, were exceptional partners in this endeavor. On 5th December, Keskeny Printing House had the privilege of participating in the book launch. The publication – a project, that entered production just two weeks before the event – provides a compelling glimpse into the realities of war. Ahead of the launch, we had the opportunity to speak with Szabolcs Vörös, an experienced foreign policy journalist, about the publication, his time in Ukraine, and the challenges of his profession.    Book Launch at Zsiráf Tranzit, Buda. From left to right: foreign policy journalist Szabolcs Vörös, journalist Bálint Ablonczy, historian András Rácz  In several cycles, you spent more than 100 days in Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. Why did you decide to go to the front? How do you recall the organization of the first trip and the public mood at that time?  I’ve been travelling to Ukraine since 2014, albeit not with the current intensity. Over time, I built a basic network of contacts that became invaluable in February 2022. With that foundation, I felt it was my duty to act. Fortunately, the environment at Válasz has been supportive of this decision from the start. When planning the first trip, all I knew was that I needed to get to the border. I chose the Slovak-Ukrainian border, where many refugees were crossing, as I wanted to speak with them and document their experiences. Additionally, I had previously reported on a border village in the area and was able to contact the local priest, who was leading relief efforts. This gave me immediate access to places that might have otherwise been difficult to enter. From there, the journey progressed—Kiev and the front line came later.   How do we imagine life near the front line versus areas farther away? How well do public services work?  Far from the front line, life feels largely normal, apart from a few visible reminders of war. In Kiev, for instance, you wouldn’t notice a war unless there’s an air raid or a recently erected monument. But as you approach the front, the atmosphere changes drastically. Even 40-50 kilometers away, the sound of war becomes unmistakable. Closer to the front line, desolation sets in: bombed-out villages, abandoned homes, and a pervasive sense of despair. The devastation is a stark and haunting experience.  What motivated you to write this book, and how did you compile nearly 200 pages of material? What message

The importance of Braille is increasingly coming to the forefront today, as it plays a vital role for visually impaired and blind individuals in navigating their everyday lives independently. This is particularly crucial for those with life-threatening food allergies or individuals taking medication for conditions like high blood pressure. While you’re reading this blog, take a moment to imagine what it would be like if your world suddenly went dark. Never again seeing the faces of your loved ones, knowing where you’re stepping, dialing a number, choosing the right detergent for your laundry, or seasoning your meal might suddenly become impossible. You would also lose the ability to reread your favorite book or rewatch your beloved movies. Furthermore, you might not even recognize the medication in your hand before taking it. These are just a few of the everyday realities that sighted individuals often take for granted, but for someone experiencing severe vision loss or blindness, such circumstances can quickly become life-threatening. This could happen through accidental medication swaps or overdoses, or, for example, when a blind individual with a nut allergy consumes a snack containing nuts. This is where Braille steps in – a tactile six-dot alphabet that, along with Braille notations for music, computer symbols, math, chess, and more, helps make life safer and easier for visually impaired people. What is Braille and How Did It Originate? Braille, in its original form, was developed in 1821 by Louis Braille, enabling both those born blind and individuals who lost their sight later in life to read, communicate, and live more independently and securely. Braille’s system is based on combinations of six dots, which can represent any letter, number, or special character. This system quickly spread globally and has become one of the most essential tools of communication for the blind. Over the centuries, Braille has undergone significant advancements and adaptations. National language variations have emerged, and today, Braille technology is available on smartphones and computers, enabling visually impaired individuals to use digital devices more effectively. How Does Braille Help Visually Impaired Consumers? Braille offers numerous advantages for visually impaired individuals. First, it enhances their independence, enabling them to identify products without assistance. It also improves safety, which is especially critical for medications, as Braille ensures that users know precisely which product they are consuming. In addition, Braille contributes to time-saving and convenience, allowing users to access vital information more easily and quickly without relying on others. Ultimately, Braille on packaging significantly improves equality of opportunity for visually impaired consumers. A Forward-Thinking Brand Focuses on Visually Impaired Consumers’ Challenges Everyday shopping presents numerous challenges for blind and visually impaired individuals. Packaging text is often small, colorful, or designed in ways that are difficult to read or impossible to detect through touch. As a result, these individuals often rely on others for assistance when shopping, and at home, there’s a risk of accidentally consuming the wrong medication or allergenic food. Misidentifying medication or consuming a food item containing an allergenic ingredient,

We are proud to announce that Keskeny Packaging & Printing has won two more WorldStar Awards in 2024! This prestigious honor was bestowed by the World Packaging Organization (WPO) for two of our products that excelled in creativity, innovation, and sustainability, while maintaining an undeniable elegance and spectacular design. Under the spotlight are: the Dantoni gift set box and the Keskeny’s collapsible box with drawer. Before we dive into the details of these award-winning products, let’s take a moment to appreciate the international significance of this achievement. Since 1970, the World Packaging Organization (WPO) has awarded the WorldStar Prize to companies whose products have already won national packaging competitions in their home countries. For example, in Hungary, products that triumph in the Hungaropack competition are eligible for the WorldStar competition. This award has become one of the most, if not the most prestigious international packaging honors. Each year the competition grows, with over 300 entries from 36 countries selected as winners. This makes our WorldStar Awards even more special, and we couldn’t be prouder of this recognition.   Dantoni Gift Set Box: A Pleasure to Give and Receive      Our most enjoyable projects are those where we can see the entire process, from concept to finished product. Such was the case with the Dantoni gift box project which is inspired by a similar packaging solution our client encountered during a trip abroad. With the help of our design team and the client’s input, we developed a winning design that was divided into two parts.   The top section is designed to hold a bottle of fine wine, secured with a magnetic closure. To ensure the bottle stays safely in place during transport and minimize the risk of breakage, we incorporated to a rigid case an folded carton inlay system. Keeping the environmental footprint in mind two additional pieces were added for the possibility of using the same packaging for different sized bottles. Below the upper part is a drawer filled with a selection of delicious bonbons orderly separated by a structure made of the same folding carton material.   Of course, as a gift set, we had to focus of the box’s exterior as well. The offset printed and matte laminated surface is embellished with spot UV varnish and golden hot-foil stamping. All in all, as the treats inside the Dantoni gift set box is a good combination of elegance and uniqueness – proudly gifted, happily received.   Collapsible Box with Drawer: Luxury Appearance Meets Sustainability        One of the key advantages of our collapsible drawer box is its ability to store different sized products in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Whether for a luxurious shoe, parfume or bag, the rigid case ensures not only safe storage but also a truly upscale look.   Our clients benefit from the ability to customize the box’s appearance to match their brands design, ensuring their brand is recognizable and memorable at first glance. The design process was all about

Sales Promotion for Product Packaging and Marketing Brochures: Cold Foil is Nearly Unbeatable!      Brand owners and marketers are always seeking innovative ways to make their products stand out from the competition. Whether it’s product packaging for pharmaceuticals or chocolates, conference materials, brochures, or book covers, the aim is to create something more beautiful, eye-catching, and exclusive than competitors. Achieving this without overspending is a bonus – and that’s where cold foil technology comes into play. Though cold foil is not a new surface treatment technique, the market is just beginning to appreciate its potential. This technology can create a metallized surface similar to hot foil stamping, but with significant advantages: it’s easier, faster, more cost-effective, and more versatile. Cold Foil Technology: Elegant Metallized Finishes Made Simple One of the biggest advantages of cold foil is its ease of use. No special skills or software are required to create the artwork – it can be designed with standard graphic design software. All that’s needed is to include the graphic elements intended for cold foiling as a fifth color in the print file. Unlike hot foil stamping, cold foil can be applied to larger graphic areas as well as smaller details. The process begins by applying glue to the paper, followed by pressing the foil onto the sheet. The foil can then be overprinted with ink to create a shiny, metallic effect. The color and saturation of the ink can further enhance this effect, allowing for either sleek, sophisticated designs or playful, bold ones. Benefits of Cold Foil Technology It’s often said that it’s what’s inside that counts, but when it comes to packaging, marketing brochures and covers, first impressions are critical. A study by the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) found that packaging with a metallic finish attracts and retains customer attention 2.5 times faster than plain packaging. Cold foil technology offers a cost-effective way to achieve this, even for small print runs. Versatile Cold foil can be used on a wide variety of publications. It’s not limited to small graphics or thin lines, this technology works just as well on larger backgrounds and graphic elements. Additionally, cold foil allows for a broader color palette than hot foil stamping, enabling playful, bright designs while maintaining a luxurious appearance. Cost-Effective & Fast Most cold foil projects are printed inline, and since there’s no need to create clichés, the process is both cost-effective and faster than hot foil stamping. This results in excellent value for money, with quicker turnaround times even for smaller print runs. By eliminating the need for second-pass printing and cliché production, unless additional surface treatments are required, you save both time and money while still achieving a premium, high-impact result. Variety of Applications Cold foil has virtually unlimited applications, from decorative boxes and brochure covers to marketing materials that require a premium look. It’s an excellent choice for any print project that could benefit from a touch of metallic sparkle. Whether it’s invitations, business cards,

Keskeny Packaging and Printing has been partaking in one of the largest packaging exhibitions in Milan for years: the Packaging Première and PCD exhibition, which houses innovative luxury and cosmetics packaging, the newest technologies and the future’s trends. During the 3 days exhibition Mr. János Csiernyik, team leader of Export Sales represented us. Now we ask them about their experiences and impressions.   You have been acting as a representative for us for years. How was this event different from previous ones? I believe that this year was one of our strongest for the Packaging Première. Our booth was outstanding in both size and look, and we had a wide range of products to exhibit. We included cosmetics and chocolate gift boxes along with packaging for food and beverages as well as our special collapsible box collection. In summary, our products, our booth design and the well-placed screens made a very good impression on our visitors. Did you experience any changes in the visitors this year? I did not see a significant change in the visitors. This was the third time we exhibited, and I can say with confidence that we’ve made our mark in the European market. Most of the visitors already knew us, and most of them came to us with the knowledge of what we produce and what we are capable of. A large part of our visitors came to us with specific intention and their goal was to strengthen our partnerships. Which products and services were highlighted this year? We promoted two kinds of main product categories: folding carton boxes and rigid packaging. In the rigid category, we focused on the traditional top and bottom boxes, boxes with magnetic closures, and we highlighted our collapsible rigid box collection. We can proudly say that we are unique in Europe with our fully automated collapsible rigid box production, as opposed to Asia where these are made manually. This means we have a strategic advantage over them. Our other product category in focus was our folding carton boxes, which can be creatively used for cosmetics, food and beverages amongst others. These products were also well received by our visitors. Our most significant strength in services is the fact that every production process – both fully-automated and step-by-step – happen under the same roof. What was the feedback from our visitors? The reactions were overwhelmingly positive. The general trend is that the largest brands are trying to distance themselves from Asian production and their aim is to find European solutions which is the reason they were interested in our packaging. Due to this the demand for our collapsible box collection were significant, as these products are largely procured from Asia. The clear feedback from our partners was that there is a need for our solutions and the world is interested in our products and services. Everyone was impressed by out imposing and aesthetically pleasing booth, it made a good impression on our visitors and it inspired confidence in us. For