Printing Industries is changing the format of its state and national awards, with state PICA winners to exclusively compete for the National Print Awards.
Bringing them in sync, state-based Printing Industries Craftsmanship Awards (PICA) will take place across all major states in October and November.
PIAA explains, “Achieving a medal at the PICA reflects that the entry is at the top echelon of performance within the state. These award-winning entries will then compete at the 2018 National Print Awards for judging on the national stage.”
New categories have been added, including an award for direct mail, design awards introduced for books, brochures, packaging, and labelling.
The Legend award is now known as the Industry Contribution award, which Printing Industries’ feels better represents the intention of the award.
There are new awards in the business section, including an environmental award, and the Printing Industries Think Print award, also known as the campaign effectiveness award: how print was used innovatively in a campaign resulting in better than expected outcomes, measured by lead generation, increased sales.
Andrew Macaulay, CEO, Printing Industries says, “Printing awards are a tangible demonstration of the exceptional capability within the printing industry, and we have done a good job at celebrating our success. The timing is right to use our awards programme as an inspirational vehicle to promote the industry to a much wider audience.
“The impressive creativity and production of work in our industry deserves to be shared beyond printers and their suppliers, to key influencers in the choice of communication channel such as advertising and marketing agencies, clients, policy makers and training institutions.”
Printing Industries says it is looking to create wider engagement with the awards programme through revitalisation of the categories to reflect the industry today, increased engagement with the target audience, and wider promotional communication.
Jen Baile, chief judge, says, “PICA celebrates all each state has to offer as local industry best understands what is important to their region. Each state has its own strengths and challenges, and this will be judged and showcased locally.
“Whilst preserving that state celebration, the change in procedure provides the opportunity for printers nation-wide to be measured on a truly national stage. PICA medalists will be recognised as the best in their state, and then be judged independently against peers from other states. The National Print Awards will resume its prestigious position as being the best of the best, the pinnacle of design and print quality in Australia.
“The judges recognise things have changed and need to change. There is not an industry that is not touched by change and that change is what enables industry to thrive.
“The judges are excited about the modifications to the categories that will see a consolidation of some categories as a reflection of the convergence of technological processes, and an opening up of new categories that will appeal to a broader audience.
“The national judging panel includes independent experts who can constructively review work. If not exactly the same panel, we hope to include a representative from the national judging panel across all state judging panels to ensure some consistency across regions.”
Entries for the Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia PICA opened on Monday, with Western Australia to open within the next few weeks.
Tassie printers who win at the Diemans awards will be invited to compete at the National Print Awards, and NT residents may be eligible to enter through another state pending discussion, says Printing Industries.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter