A plethora of New South Wales printers earned bragging rights at the 2013 NSW PICA awards, with 51 gold, 54 silver and 40 bronze medals making it a night to remember for the industry. Warwick Roden, NSW chairman of judges, says this year’s entries feature more high quality stock across the board, which he says shows a focus on quality rather than cost. He adds, “There were many innovative and unusual products submitted, particularly in the security printing and multi-piece categories. New types of products and finishing processes are continually being developed and entered in the PICAs. “Digital printing continues to improve and take a larger share of the market, from small labels to wide format. Its growing versatility will impact both the graphic arts industry and the PICA awards, as it provides high quality, economical products with smaller setup costs.” Sydney firm Offset Alpine had a particularly stellar night, sailing away with 27 medals – including 10 gold awards – and the NSW Printer of the Year award for the fourth year in a row.
Momento Pro as Judges Choice Award for the NSW Printer of the Year: Momento Pro
The judging panel picked out Chippendale-based Momento Pro as recipient of the Judges Choice Award for the NSW Printer of the Year, hailing its digitally printed photo book, ‘Black Ribbon and the Colour of Prayer’ as “a handsome piece and a most suitable winner. The photography and prepress, and the print and binding were outstanding, while the presentation box protected and displayed the product beautifully.” Momento Pro also picked up five gold awards and a bronze. Brad Partington, a senior account executive with BJ Ball Papers, took home the Media Super NSW Future Leader Award. Partington has been in the industry for 10 years, completing a cadetship at BJ Ball that saw his development across multiple parts of the business including warehouse, samples and sales. Partington is also part of BJ Ball’s Future Steering Committee. Finalists in the GAMAA and LIA National Graduate Scholarship Prize congratulated Samuel Moss from Sinnott Bros NSW as the overall winner, while Brett Foran of Land & Property Information NSW scored the LIA and Printing Industries Future Leader Award. Nine print firms were inducted into the PIAA’s 25 years of continuous membership hall of fame, with another 12 recognised for 10 years of membership. This year’s NSW gold award winners are: • Allkotes – embellishment; self promotion • Avon Graphics – embellishment • Bright Print Group – self promotion; environmental initiatives • Carbon8 – postcards and greeting cards • Coaster Kings – innovative business practices; environmental initiatives • Collotype Labels (Griffith) – labels (offset and any process) • Evolve Printing – presentation folders; booklets, catalogues and magazines (saddle-stitched); innovation; small business • Green and Gold Printing – calendars; leaflets • Impact International – screen printing • Impresstik – environmental initiatives • Mercury Creative Print and Design – digital (wide format) • Momento Pro – limited editions; book printing (digital); digital (non inkjet and inkjet) • Offset Alpine Printing – book printing (case bound and digital); one, two or three colour printing; multi-piece productions and campaigns; impact sensory or direct mail; web offset (heat set; publications with cover price) • Oxygen – booklets, catalogues and magazines (not saddle-stitched) • Rawson Graphics – book printing (limp bound) • RDA Creative – annual reports, prospectus • Sony DADC Australia – packaging (folding, cartons and boxes) • Spicers – booklets, catalogues and magazines (not saddle-stitched) • Statewide Design & Print – packaging (folding, cartons and boxes; and other) • STI Group – commercial posters, showcards, card constructions and mobiles; specialty; innovation • Watermarx Graphics – stationery
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