awards 
The National Print Awards committee is encouraging printers to get their entries in early for judging in the prestigious awards. There’s even a new category and the introduction of industry awards, all of which will be judged by an expert panel, of which Rodney Urquart will be the chair.

The closing date for entries in this year’s National Print Awards is January 31, 2006, and awards chairman Scott Telfer says printers shouldn’t wait until after the Christmas and New Year holiday break to submit their entries.

“It’s a great opportunity for printers to use their success to promote further success in their business,” says Telfer. “Altogether it will be a night of excellence for Australia’s printing and graphic arts industries to celebrate.”

Medalists will have their work displayed at the dinner presentation on May 12 at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, where gold medal winners will be presented with their awards.

All medal winners will also be featured in the prestigious National Print Awards record book and will be loaded onto the National Print Awards website.

In addition to this year’s 31 medal categories, three sponsored industry awards will be presented – the Paperlinx Award for printing excellence by an apprentice; the Agfa Award for the most innovative use of imaging; and the Heidelberg Australia Award for excellence in craft.

“At the recommendation of the judging panel, we’ve added a new category this year – die cut presentation folders – to further widen the spectrum of printing-related activities in which the awards seek to recognise achievement,” says Telfer.

Newer types of print fulfilment, namely digital printing, are recognised, in both electrophotographic and inkjet technologies, which have their own dedicated awards. There are also awards for self promotion of a company and for innovation.

Entry forms have been distributed through the trade press and have been mailed to previous entrants. A PDF version can be downloaded from the National Print Awards web site at www.nationalprintawards.com.au