NATIONAL PRINT AWARDS ELEVATE + CELEBRATE

The relaunched National Print Awards will run under the theme ‘Elevate + Celebrate’ with the gala awards event being held during PacPrint, on the evening of Thursday 22 May, in Sydney.

Industry employers group Visual Media Association (VMA) says the awards, which will run for the 40th time, will honour the innovation, craftsmanship, and achievements that continue to define the Australian print industry.

The National Print Awards recognise excellence across a diverse range of sectors, including Commercial Print, Packaging and Labels, Sales and Marketing, and Design and Prepress.

Among the highlights are the Major Awards, which celebrate leadership and exceptional contributions to diversity, workplace wellbeing, and environmental sustainability are the print and visual media industries.

The award categories highlight both technical expertise and creative brilliance, with specific attention to emerging talent and sustainable practices. The full list of categories includes:

• Commercial Print: Book printing to Leaflets, Flyers, and Magazines.
• Digital Print: Sign & Display to Publishing and Embellishment.
• Packaging and Labels: Recognising innovation in both sectors.
• Sales and Marketing: Honouring standout promotional campaigns, small business success and regional excellence.
• Design and Prepress: Highlighting creative design, branding, and multi-channel campaigns.
• Judges Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Craft and Judge’s Choice.
• Major Awards: Including categories such as Workplace Culture & Wellbeing, Industry Employee of the Year, Graduate and Future Leader of the Year, and Printer of the Year.

“Printers do the vital work of elevating their clients’ brands, and through these awards, we celebrate their exceptional achievements,” said Kellie Northwood, CEO, VMA. “The National Print Awards are an opportunity to showcase the best of what the industry offers and to reflect on the creativity, skill, and innovation that drive it forward.”

The Major Awards focus on excellence in areas such as diversity, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. These categories aim to recognise industry leaders who are driving positive change while maintaining the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Continuing the commitment to the industry’s history the partnership continues with the inclusion of Graduate, Future Leader and Employee Awards, as well as reinstating the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising industry leaders who have dedicated to the industry over their careers and inducting the recipient into the Hall of Fame.

VMA is offering a range of sponsorship opportunities to support this iconic event, with Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorship levels available. Additionally, businesses can sponsor individual award categories, aligning their brands with the pinnacle of print industry excellence.

“This year’s awards represent a celebration not only of the winners, but of everyone involved in raising the standards of our industry, endorsed and judged by the peak industry association,” said Northwood. “Sponsors play a vital role in making this possible, and their support underscores their commitment to the future of print and visual media in Australia.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to nominate for an award, please contact the VMA team at hello@visualmediaassociation.org.au. Click here to learn more about the category list.