AVT Awarded for Clear Varnish Inspection Technology
Packaging and label manufacturers can now retrofit existing systems to detect clear coating defects at full speed.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Manufacturing
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AVT won the 2026 Labels & Labeling Innovation Award for its Helios Varnish Inspection Module, a system that detects clear coatings without requiring formulation changes. The module allows print shops to inspect matte, gloss, and tactile coatings in parallel with standard print inspection.
Why it matters
The technology addresses a persistent bottleneck in quality control where clear varnish defects previously went undetected at high production speeds. By automating this detection, firms can reduce manual inspection requirements and minimize waste.
Currently, 1 in 3 Helios systems ship with the varnish inspection module, contributing to reported customer productivity gains of 30%. This award marks the third time AVT has received this specific industry honor.
The players
AVT
A print inspection technology firm founded in 1992 that specializes in quality control and process management for converters.
The details
The module utilizes patented technology to inspect clear varnish and tactile coatings in real time at full production speed. Because the system is retrofittable, converters can integrate the module onto their existing pressroom floor hardware without the need for full-scale system replacement.
Timeline
1992: AVT began operating in print inspection.
September 15, 2026: AVT received the 2026 Labels & Labeling Innovation Award.
Market Landscape
This award highlights the ongoing industry trend toward retrofitting existing pressroom infrastructure with specialized software and sensor modules to improve yield. AVT's win at the Labels & Labeling Innovation Award underscores a competitive shift toward non-invasive quality assurance.
Operators currently using Helios inspection systems should evaluate whether the 30% productivity gain justifies the cost of the retrofittable module. Reviewing current varnish inspection workflows against the capabilities of this upgrade may help identify opportunities to reduce waste in clear coating.
The takeaway
This development allows shops to automate the inspection of complex, clear, or tactile coatings that were once difficult to verify during high-speed runs. Managers should track the rate of varnish-related print defects in their next quarter's quality reporting to gauge the potential ROI.
Further reading
For more on industry-leading quality control tools, visit our Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Packaging South Asia.
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