USA calls out for Aussie binders

Australian binders are again being invited to compete against their American counterparts in the Binding Industries Association (BIA) 2009 Product of Excellence Awards.

The invitation follows the success of Western Australian company, Prism Grafix, who entered the 2008 competition and won the Product of Excellence award in self promotion along with an Award of Recognition for foiling and embossing.

Printing Industries national communications and technical services manager, Joe Kowalewski, said this success had prompted considerable interest in the Australian industry.

"Our American colleagues have also sweetened the deal to expand interest within our industry and will provide our finalists with complimentary registration to their major binding and finishing conference in Las Vegas from 4-6 May 2009," he said.

"This is in addition to extending the BIA discounted member entry fee of US$65 to Printing Industries' members wanting to enter the competition (US$95 non members).

"Only pieces produced between May 2008 and Feb 2009 are eligible for entry. Entries must be received in the US by 27 March 2009."

The competition is divided into two sections – Graphic Finishing (11 categories including a category for 'miracle work' – They said it couldn't be done; and Loose Leaf (17 Categories).

The awards are broken down into:

Product of Excellence
The most outstanding of all entries in a category.  To win, an entry must be technically flawless. This is the pinnacle of success in the binding industry.

Award of Recognition
Finalists for the top honours in each category receive the Award of Recognition.

Certificate of Merit
Many of the entries in the Product of Excellence competition deserve recognition for their quality craftsmanship. To honour these entries, judges bestow a Certificate of Merit.

"This is a great opportunity for Aussie companies to show their abilities in the international arena and enhance their profiles by competing and hopefully winning against American and other overseas companies," Kowalewski said.

"Our awards will be completed for 2008 soon with the ACT PAGE Awards on 7 November followed by the Queensland PICAs on 28 November. From there our State best of the best will go on to compete in the National Print Awards on 29 May in Melbourne."

Full details including category and registration information and the discount entry form is available via this link.