Fairest of the fair – NPA Sponsors awards

The winners that caught the eye and demanded affirmation of their excellence from the three sponsors of the National Print Awards – Currie Group, Heidelberg Australia and PaperlinX Mechanting.

1. The Currie Group Graphics Award is presented for the most innovative use of imaging in printing. The award went to Picpress, a Victorian specialist photo printing company for its production, Antartica… in the footsteps of shackleton.

Picpress director, Michael Warshall, said that to receive an award so soon was a real achievement for the company. "We are from the photographic industry – we've only got two years of experience in the printing industry. We started this business in response to the needs our customers put on us for photobooks," he said.

"We're all learning, we're the new kids on the block and we really appreciate the support."

Of course, winning such a prestigious award has made the team at Picpress even more inspired to stick around. "I'm sure we will be coming back to this exciting industry," Warshall added.

Pictured: (l-r) Paul Atkins, (Picpress director); Phil Rennell (sales and marketing manager, the Currie Group); Michael Warshall (Picpress director); Will Street (Picpress director) and Paul Gilbert (Picpress director).

2. The Heidelberg Award for excellence in craft is awarded to the company judged to have demonstrated the finest traditions of craft in printing. The award went to Adams Print, a Victorian printing company for 2009 Mark Wilson Calendar.

"We have a long tradition to protect. Adams Print was founded 115 years ago; we've been here for the past ten years. It's important for us to keep and imporve the company's reputation. This award is very satisfying for to to achieve," said Shane Soutar, managing director, Adams Print.

Pictured: Andy Vels Jensen, managing director of Heidelberg with Shane Soutar, managing director of Adams Print.

3. The PaperlinX Award goes to the entry the company considers demonstrates outstanding excellence in printing. This year it went to Platypus Graphics for its gold medal winning entry – one of four – Kids of Sydney V.

Platypus director, Tom Lusch, said that winning the Currie Group award, in conjunction with four golds, was great recognition. "After 25 years of slogging away, it's a satsifying feeling," he said.

Lusch admitted that being the biggest winner was a "surprise". "You can't go out there thinking that you're going to win awards because you never do," he said. "To win [five awards] was akin to all the stars being in the right place at the right time."

Pictured: Tom Lusch, director of Platypus Graphics (left) with Brian Longmore of PaperlinX Merchanting.