Each year the National Print Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable craftsmanship, innovation and leadership that define Australia’s print and visual media industry. Established more than four decades ago, the Awards remain the most prestigious recognition of excellence across our sector, celebrating the businesses and people who continue to push the boundaries of print, packaging, signage and communications.
However, beyond the trophies and recognition, the Awards are also about opportunity. In recent years, the Visual Media Association has worked with partners across the global print community to create something truly special for our major award winners - a professional development study tour to London that connects Australian talent with the international print industry.
Offered for the first time in 2025, we saw the impact of this opportunity clearly when two of our National Print Awards winners travelled to London to attend the Power of Print Conference alongside industry leaders from across Europe. Hosted by Two Sides UK and the British Printing Industries Federation, the conference explored the future of print, sustainability, innovation and the evolving role of physical media in a digital world.
For the Australian representatives, the trip was transformational. They joined hundreds of international delegates, visited leading print organisations and engaged directly with global manufacturers and suppliers shaping the future of our industry.
This year I am pleased to announce the award prize will continue with Emerging Talent winner and Woman of Industry winner, and will now expand to include the Employee of the Year winner. We are also seeking a final sponsor for Supplier of the Year. We are building a true Australian team to attend the professional training Print Tour.
This prize is far more than a title, it is the chance to represent Australia on the world stage and to experience the global print industry first-hand, bringing together an Australian delegation for an immersive week across the UK, centred around attendance at The Print Show and engagement with leading printers, suppliers and technology partners. It is an experience designed to expand horizons, challenge thinking and create lifelong industry connections.
This kind of exposure is invaluable. When our emerging leaders connect with international peers and see how businesses operate in other markets, they return home inspired with ideas, insights and renewed confidence. The benefits extend well beyond the individual – they strengthen the entire Australian industry.
Print has always been a global craft. From the historic presses of London and the cultural heritage of European publishing to the cutting-edge automation and finishing technologies driving modern production, the UK remains one of the most influential centres of print innovation. Experiencing that environment first-hand offers a powerful reminder of the heritage and future of our profession.
The National Print Awards are therefore not simply a gala evening. They are a gateway to professional development, leadership and global engagement.
This year the Awards will again recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals across our industry – from rising stars to experienced professionals – who continue to shape the sector through their dedication, skills and leadership.
The Emerging Talent category celebrates those early in their careers who are already demonstrating exceptional promise and commitment to the industry. The Woman of Industry Award recognises the extraordinary contribution women continue to make across every corner of our sector - from production floors to executive leadership. Employee of the Year highlights individuals who embody professionalism, resilience and innovation within their organisations.
Each of these categories tell a powerful story about the people behind the industry – the technicians, operators, designers, managers and innovators - who bring visual communications to life every day.
And that is why nominations matter.
Across Australia there are thousands of talented professionals working quietly behind the scenes, delivering extraordinary work and contributing to the success of their organisations and the broader industry. Many would never put themselves forward for recognition, which is why we encourage businesses to nominate the people who deserve to be celebrated.
Recognition has a powerful ripple effect. It builds pride within teams, strengthens workplace culture and highlights career pathways for the next generation entering our industry.
Alongside the Awards program this year, we are also expanding the experience through the addition of a conference program during the day, creating further opportunity for professional development and industry engagement.
The conference will bring together international speakers, technology leaders and industry innovators to explore emerging trends shaping the future of print - from automation and workflow transformation through to sustainability, packaging innovation and new market opportunities.
For those attending the Awards, it means a full day of learning, networking and inspiration before we come together in the evening to celebrate our industry’s achievements.
The National Print Awards have always been about more than recognising great print. They are about recognising great people and investing in the future of our industry.
If you know someone who deserves recognition, nominate them. If you believe your team or has delivered outstanding work, enter the Awards. And if you are an emerging leader, consider putting your own name forward.
Because sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with a simple step – entering an award that could take you all the way to London.
This article was first published in the March-April 2026 edition of Print21, page 42.