Print industry awards innovation

Capping off the first day at PrintCom, exhibitors and industry veterans attended GASAA’s gala evening to honour the winners of Prinotvation Awards 2011.

Garry Knespal, executive officer of GASAA, says the second annual awards dovetailed well at the conclusion of the first day of the co-located Melbourne print Expos.

Knespal extends special thanks to gold sponsor Visual Industries Suppliers Association, silver sponsors BJ Ball Papers and Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, bronze sponsor Roland DG Australia and media sponsor Print21.

The winners of the 2011 Printovation Award winners include:


Wide Format
Winner- Painted Parrot - Picpress, VIC
The judges were unanimously impressed with this entry, for the quality of photographic reproduction, coupled with the multi -products and processes. The submission was part of a series of high quality artworks for a leading Australian adventure photographer.


Offset/ Web
Winner- CBA Diamond Awards Welcome Pack - BMF Advertising, NSW
The judges found this entry to be a clever combination of finishing, use of alternate substrates and seamless formatting which provided a premium product re-branding and within a well-defined client budget. Multiple components combined with complex production values.

Highly Commended- Sustainability Report 2010 - Finsbury Green, SA
The judges issued a highly commended award to this firm as its entry demonstrated a determination to extend innovative print capabilities by creative folds, die-cuts, graphics and print production. They particularly liked the idea of a circular publication as metaphor for closed loop sustainability.


Digital (Non-variable)
Winner- A Night to Shine - Digitalpress, NSW
Clever use of UV inks, substrates and wide format inkjet technology took this entry over the line for its exclusive event invitation for a leading hospitality group. Implementing a UV light accessory into the invitation also allowed for a smart cross branding opportunity.


Digital (Variable)
Winner- V8 Supercars Entry Cards- Frontline Print, NSW
The judges noted the entry, a variety of personalised ID access cards, produced large quantities at an affordable cost and incorporates simple but effective security laminating. A great example of variable data technologies and well thought out execution. They found it to be a cohesive collection of various ideas and processes in the form of an integrated commercial offering.


General (Not elsewhere described)
Joint Winner- Identity branding & Media kit - Tafeda, NSW
The judges commended this company for its stylish and thoughtful compilation demonstrating the craftsmanship and innovation existing within many regionally based printing firms. The specialist embossing firm produced a double swatch Media Kit contained within a stylish presentation box.

Joint Winner- Superior Foil Print Business Card - Superior Foil Print, VIC
Awarded for its outstanding showcase of embellishment capabilities, the firm’s complex and challenging entry combined many processes in one spectacular outcome. A clear example of where the total exceeds the sum of the parts.

Honourable Mention- ‘3D Printed’ Patterns for Metal Sandcasting - Creativecorp, NSW
Responding to a client approach for an affordable and accurate way of producing prototype pattern, this firm turned to 3D printing technologies. The results cut client manufacturing time and costs down significantly from traditional methods of casting. The emerging technology is embracing inkjet-printing techniques.


View winners here.