Entries to the 2015 National Print awards are now open, with consolidated categories and a direct entry model giving a new spin on the competition. Printers have just four weeks until close of business on Friday December 12 to get their entries in, with forms available from the NPA website. The new awards programme incorporates changes to the programme recommended by reviewer Stephen Anstice. This includes direct entry, rather than having to win a state PICA first.
Susan Heaney, chairwoman of the NPA
Gold awards are down from 33 to 25, with the standalone flexo, screen printing, small business and innovation awards cut, and all techniques now considered for areas like web offset and packaging. To reflect the growing nature of digital print in the industry, the two digital awards have been included in product categories, either as a subcategory or combined as equal with offset. Susan Heaney, chairwoman of the NPA, says the streamlined list should make for a snappier presentation night, and though new categories for design and cross media are potentially on the cards for future awards, the committee will take one step at a time. She says, “The National Print Awards was formed more than 30 years ago to recognise and reward the achievement of excellence in print. “They have helped drive the quest for quality and lift standards across the industry to truly international standards. This year’s Print Awards will continue that tradition.” Bill Healey, CEO of the PIAA, says the 25 categories were chosen based on the number of entries they have received in the past, and may be flexible this year depending on the submissions that come in. He says, “There is no point in having subcategories that do not get many entries, but if a lot come in for one the judges may consider splitting it into different areas like offset and digital.
NPA 2015: print revolution
“This is the first year of direct entry so we are road testing the category list to see how entries go.” Entries will be judged in February by a panel lead by Luke Wooldrige and medal winners will be announced at the National Print Awards Presentation Dinner in Sydney on May 15, 2015 during the PrintEx 15 exhibition. The Currie Group Award for the Most Innovative Use of Imaging in Print and the Heidelberg Award for Excellence in Craft will be judged from all gold medal winning entries, while the third Major Sponsor Award, the Fuji-Xerox Effectiveness Award, requires separate entry into the competition. The organising committee, chaired by Heaney, includes Adam Todd from Fuji Xerox Australia, Craig Pearce from Flying Colours, Bowden Printing’s Damien Burchell, Ian Smith from Advance Press, Heidelberg’s Richard Timson and Richard Watson from Currie Group.
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