Sydney-based digitalpress is the winner of the 2017 Konica Minolta National Specialised Print Award, taking the top prize for its digitally-printed A Meeting of Words.

The company has won return flights, accommodation, and entry to Graph Expo 18 in Chicago, USA.

Theo Pettaras, managing director, digitalpress, says, “We are surprised and thrilled to take out the 2017 National Specialised Print Award. As print professionals we need to be able to evolve, be innovative and proactive, and promote what we do. It’s our passion that helps to promote the industry. The National Specialised Print Awards are an initiative from Konica Minolta and should be commended.

Explaining his work, Pettaras says, “A client of mine, Tim Jetis, has a company called A Cabinet of Wonder, a creative design studio. I have been working with him over the past few years, and we are friends too. A couple of years ago I was in his studio, and noticed beautiful print work that was famous people combined with famous quotes, and his favourite books.

“He converted that into a series of posters. I said you need a bit of profile, and this is just the right thing. I said I could turn something you have designed into a printed book.

“We worked on it for about eight months, and he came up with the name A Meeting of Words. Some of the posters are thought provoking. Not only are you looking at the words, but the representation of the artwork. What I have been able to do is add a layer to that with printing it into a book.

“It was a limited run of 100 copies, with an exhibition at the Australian Design Centre. It has been highly awarded, highly distinguished at the Type Directors Club in New York. It won an award at the National Print Awards, and to win at the Konica Minolta Specialist Print Award is icing on the cake.

“What we like about it the Konica Minolta award is that it is an even competition where people using the same devices are judged based on the quality of their work.

“It all came from a discussion, and having initiative and talking about how we can engage with the design community and create something beautiful. To be acknowledged for that is the sweetest thing.

“The essence of it, us printers, we always hear bad news, people struggling, and it is hard to find work.

“You have to have initiative to create work for yourself.

“This was not a commercial opportunity, it was a financial sacrifice. I can now take these books and explain them to existing and potential clients, and it spreads the word of print and what you can do.

“All the finalists were fantastic, the submissions were really good. I did not expect to win and thought there were others equally as good.

Anthony Lewis, general manager Specialised Print, Konica Minolta, says, “Konica Minolta would like to congratulate digitalpress, our 2017 winner, as well as all of the finalists and entrants across Australia. The National Specialised Print Awards are a great opportunity for Konica Minolta to say thank you to its customers and celebrate the outstanding work they produce using our technology. We recognise that our customers rely on us for support and to help them achieve the best for their customers.

“The standard of work this year was exceptionally high. We look forward to seeing the standard of work improve even further as the awards evolve, and will introduce new categories to incorporate our inkjet and embellishment technologies next year.”

The entries were judged by a panel of experts including Kellie Northwood of Two Sides Australia, John Wanless of Bambra Press, Robert Brussolo of Ball and Doggett, and Darrell John of Konica Minolta, announced at a Sydney event earlier this month.

Konica Minolta says the finalists, and overall winner, were judged on quality, design concept, typography, and colour reproduction. The quality of work was impressive across the board.

“The winner, digitalpress, is a long-term Konica Minolta customer. The project was a beautifully bound and printed book. The registration was exceptional and the quality and tones produced were second to none.”

The awards recognise customers that achieve excellence in print with the help of a Konica Minolta digital press system.

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