Entry forms for the awards have been distributed throughout the industry, offering entrants the chance to submit the very best of their work across 31 categories from commercial sheetfed work, to web publications, screen printing and packaging.
The 2008 Awards will once again be sponsored by Agfa, Heidelberg and PaperLinx, and supported by a list of patrons which represents some of the leading names in the Australian graphic arts industry.
Scott Telfer, chairman of the 25th National Print Awards, says this year’s event will not only celebrate excellence, but reflect the advances we have made over the past 25 years.
"There is perhaps no other industry in Australia which has changed as dramatically as the graphic arts over the past quarter of a century," says Telfer.
"The printing process has been revolutionised since the first National Print Awards was held in 1982.
"We have witnessed a transformation of technology which has allowed us to lift productivity and quality benchmarks while keeping prices low for our customers, and we have risen to the challenges of protecting the environment with massive changes to technology and materials.
"These advances are reflected in the Award categories which today include processes like digital printing, and even an environmental award, which would have been unthinkable back in the early 80s."
To be eligible for entry in this milestone event, a job must have been produced between January 1 2007 and December 31 2007, and must be received at National Print Award Australia, Unit 3, 5-7 Compark Circuit, Mulgrave, Vic 3170 by Friday, February 1 2008 with a properly completed entry form.
Telfer also reminds entrants to check each sample of work carefully before submitting it for judging.
"Every year, the judges comment that individual printing faults in some pieces preclude them from receiving an award even though, in all likelihood, the fault is not representative of the run as a whole.
"The judges can only assess the copies submitted, so it’s critical that those copies are checked carefully to ensure your work has the best possible chance for medal selection."
Entries will be judged in February by an expert judging panel, this year headed up by Rod Urquhart.
The competition will culminate at the industry’s ‘night of nights’, the 25th National Print Awards Presentation Dinner to be held at The Palladium at Crown, Southbank, Melbourne on Wednesday, April 16 2008.
"Notwithstanding the enormous changes to our industry over the past 25 years, some things remain constant," says Telfer.
"The commitment to meeting and exceeding our customers’ demands, the ability to adapt and improve our techniques and technology to achieve world’s best standard, and our love of getting together as an industry are as strong today as they have ever been.
"Perhaps most importantly, the achievement of excellence in print will always require the heart and eye of a craftsman and it is this, above all, that we celebrate at the National Print Awards."
Entry forms for the 25th National Print Awards will be distributed with the December issue of Australian Printer and can also be downloaded from www.nationalprintawards.com.au
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