Entire print jobs that are otherwise excellent are being misrepresented because the examples submitted have individual scuffs or marks. Other copies may well have been flawless.

That is the reality that has been revealed after the exacting three days of judging of the prestigious Pride In Print Awards, conducted at Alexandra Park Raceway in Auckland.

At this year’s judging, some entries were well in the running for Gold Medals or Highly Commended awards – until avoidable flaws were found.

And it has led Assistant Convenor of Judges Grant Letfus to warn printers to take one last critical look at the examples of work they submit to the Awards.

“In one case, a beautifully-printed book had been finished with gold foiling, and in one part the foil had not taken well. No doubt another copy of the book may have been perfect, but we had to judge on the one copy that was entered.

“On another sheetfed bound job, a beautiful piece of work was spoiled by a large heavy crease on one page. It is quite possible that the crease occurred only in that one example of the work, not in the entire print run.

“But again, we had to judge on the one copy that was entered. In each case, if the entrant had taken care, it is possible a better example of the job could have been entered.”

The lesson, says Grant, is to “take one last good look, with a critical eye, before you send in your entry”.

“Remember, it is not your entire print run of that job that is being examined. It is the individual copy you give us. So give that specific copy careful analysis before you parcel it up and send it in.

“It could be the difference between a Gold Medal and an also-ran position.”

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