Final round for current National Print Awards

The future of the NPA rests with a report by Steven Anstice, former CEO of IPMG, submitted to Printing Industries, following expressions of discontent from many of the sponsors. The 31st National Print Awards, held in Sydney, will be the last time the industry gets to celebrate the best in print under the current format. With over 300 industry types and 33 different awards on Friday night, the event was imbued with a impending fin de siecle atmosphere Contributing to the sense of change and renewal, John Wanless, Bambra Press, stepped down as chairman after five years (he was lured back for a final session after last year) to be replaced by Susan Heaney, Heaney Performers in Print. Luke Woolridge, Kodak, stepped up as the new chairman of judges following a long incumbency by Rod Urquhart. In what has become a Heidelberg tradition,Richard Timson, managing director of Heidelberg, gave some straight talking about the state of the industry and welcomed the proposed changes. "Last year I said 10% of printers might not be here this year and we did have an interesting year. It is extremely disappointing that the demise of Focus Press under such dubious circumstances has again affected the credibility of the printing industry. Once again banks will find another reason not to loan money to our customers, which will ultimately lead to less investment in new technology our customers need to remain competitive," he said. "I do believe the format for the awards night is in need of a change and we look forward to seeing a modified event with a different format next year." His was but one voice among a growing chorus that recognises the need to revamp the largely craft-based awards. Although there may be some discontent about the way the process in taking place, most industry professionals are on board with the need for change. The Anstice Report is now with Bill Healey, CEO Printing Industries, which is the owner of the awards. Among the reccommendations is scrapping the Pica elimination rounds with printers able to enter work directly into the NPA. There will also be a significant review of the current 33 categories. However, the Award night at the Westin Hotel in Martin Place, proved hugely entertaining, if some what interminable as MC Libby Gorr, broadcaster, interviewer and author kept proceedings moving along, assisted by auctioneer and entertainer, Will Fowles. Certainly the audience stayed around until the end, and then some. The good cheer emphasized the essential networking nature of the industry gathering, apart from the formal proceedings. Adams Print from Victoria was the night’s biggest winner, with three Gold Medals. The company also took out the Judges’ Award for Excellence with the case-bound book, The Extraordinary Life of Sir Charles Lloyd Jones and the coveted Heidelberg Award for Excellence in Craft for its limp bound book, Geelong Art Gallery – Collections. Focal Printing Tasmania also took home three of the top awards, with double Golds going to STI Group and Rawson Graphics from NSW, Picpress and Mercedes Waratah from Victoria and Discus on Demand WA. Discus on Demand also won the Currie Group Award for the Most Innovative Use of Imaging in Printing for Brothers Wedding Book, which also won the Gold Award for Innovation.

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Gold	Category
Adams Print VIC	One, two or three colour printing
Adams Print VIC	Book printing, case bound
Adams Print VIC	Book printing, limp bound
Bowden Group SA	Presentation folders offset printed
Cornerstone Press QLD	Impact sensory or direct mail by any printing process
Cornerstone Press QLD	Impact sensory or direct mail by any printing process
Cutler Innovative Print Solutions SA	Screen printing
Discus on Demand WA	Digital printing wide format
Discus on Demand WA	Innovation
Eastern Press VIC	Packaging - folding cartons and boxes
Fantastick Label Company VIC	Labels, other than offset printed
Finsbury Green SA	Annual reports/prospectus by any printing process
Focal Printing TAS	Booklets, catalogues and magazines saddle-stitched offset printed
Focal Printing TAS	Small printing business awards Less than 15 Staff by any printing process
Focal Printing TAS	Multi-piece productions and campaigns (including direct mail) by any printing process
Green and Gold Printing NSW	Calendars by any printing process
Inprint QLD	Web offset printing, heat set
Labelworld WA	Labels offset printed
Mercedes Waratah VIC	Packaging - all other, includes display stands
Mercedes Waratah VIC	Self promotion
Momento Pro NSW	Digital printing, inkjet
Multicolor Qld	Flexographic printing
Newstyle Printing SA	Postcards and greeting cards by any printing process
Offset Alpine Printing NSW	Web offset publications with a cover price
Openbook Howden Design & Print SA	Limited edition by any printing process
Picpress VIC	Book printing, digitally printed
Picpress VIC	Digital printing, non inkjet
Rawson Graphics NSW	Embellishment
Rawson Graphics NSW	Stationery by any printing process
Rural Press Mandurah WA	Web offset printing, cold set
Scott Print WA	Booklets, catalogues and magazines bound by any method but saddle-stitching offset printed
STI Group NSW	Commercial posters, showcards, card constructions and mobiles, offset printed
STI Group NSW	Specialty, includes security printing by any process