Platinum sponsors of the National Print Awards, Currie Group and HP, proved a winning combination as many gold medallists acknowledged the entries were produced on HP Indigo presses.
According to Phil Rennell, sales and marketing director, the “vast majority of prize winners are our customers using either HP Indigo presses or Currie consumables.
“We believe it’s important to us to support the industry and recognise the passion and commitment of these printers. The National Print Awards is a significant event for the industry and we’re proud to be the major sponsors,” he said.
He also noted the shift towards digitally produced winners as a notable feature of this year’s competition with Phil Rennell claiming it’s represent the coming of age of the technology.
“Only a few years ago digital entries were quarantined into a special category. Now it’s mainstream printing and showing it can match quality with any other printing method, such as offset,” he said.
The recognition for Currie Group printers didn’t stop at the NPA. Three of its customers – Blueprint Printing, Multi Color Corporation and Carbon8 – won Asia Pacific and Japan HP Digital Print Excellence Awards.
They went up against a record of 320 entries from Asia Pacific and Japan this year. Australia was very well presented with a total of eight of the almost 60 awards presented in the Commercial and L&P categories.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovations in the printing industry across Asia Pacific and Japan. Rennell greeted the results as further proof that local printers are world class.
“This is a very tough competition, keenly fought every year. It’s very gratifying to see local printers take on the world and win,” he said.
The Digital Print Excellence awards were presented at the Currie HP evening on Wednesday during PacPrint. In a night of celebration David Currie was recognised for his contribution to the success of the marque in the region. Alon Bar-Shany, general manager, HP Indigo, presented him with a unique olive tree award from Israel.
“I was very pleased and surprised by it. It’s a valued symbol of friendship in Israel and for Alon to come and spend the whole week here with us was very pleasing,” he said.