Both print companies claimed three golds each of the 37 on offer, while Geon employee Samantha Alford also claimed the Media Super Future Leader Award.

Geon has been on a gold rush over this year’s state awards season, with 12 golds in Western Australia, seven in Tasmania, three in Queensland and one in New South Wales.

Bambra Press tasted success with two gold medals and the Judges Award, while Picpress went home with two golds and the Currie Award.

Six other firms left with two gold medals apiece: Blue Star, Eastern Press, McKellar Renown Press, PMP Print, RA Printing and Whites Law Bindery.

There were nine single winners: AFI Branding, Avon Graphics, Detmold Consumer Goods, Pandoras Boxes, STS Creative Printing, Superior Foil Print, The Bindery, Vega Press and Willprint Shepparton.

[Photos: Winners gallery]

The awards included two new finishing categories. No gold medals were awarded in six categories. No medals of any colour were awarded in three categories: ‘labels – rollfed’, ‘labels – sheetfed’ and ‘web offset printing – coldset’.

PICA Victoria chairman and Avon Graphics owner Trevor Hone congratulated the winners for coming out on top in a tough field.

“The PICA competition is always tough, but this year new entrants have really given the odds-on favourites a run for their money, with some proven performers living up to the short odds while other, less familiar names joined the winners circle this year, proving there’s always room for a newcomer to lead the field,” he said.

The awards dinner was held at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on 9 November.

[Related: List of all the winners]

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