PAPERWATCH: Awards Galore for Paper Users
Designers love awards programs, but they can be even more useful to printers as a turnkey marketing program.
Staff Report -- Graphic Arts Online, 1/1/2008
Award programs are the simplest step to demonstrating print capabilities—and to documenting excellence. Printers have ample opportunities to enter competitions, from those sponsored by local affiliates of the Printing Industries of America, to awards sponsored by the Craftsmen Clubs, design groups, advertising organizations and, of course, paper companies.
Biggest of all is PIA/GATF Premier Print Awards, known as the Benny's, now in its 59th year. In many cases, entry into award programs for the local PIA affiliate creates automatic entry into the Benny's, which received more than 5,100 entries from 14 countries last year. The 2007 winners were featured in GAM's November issue. Entry deadline for 2008 is May 19. Visit www.graphicartsonline/awardcentral for more details.
Many printers publicize the receipt of awards. Some, including Williamson Printing Corp., Dallas, have touted Benny victories in print on calendars and via other promotional items. Toyo Ink was so proud of its Benny recognition last year that it built an elaborate display to show off the statuettes at the IGAS show in Tokyo.
Mohawk Paper and its Strathmore unit run two programs. Sappi fetes North American and international printers annually. Neenah recognizes printers as well as graphic designers. Synthetic paper-maker Yupo, too, allows designers to cast votes for its Wally Awards. A 2007 winning entry—Perry St./NYC development brochure from Master Printing, Carlstadt, NJ—is shown above. The condos feature a high-performance glass facade, so designer Frank Arresta specified translucent sheets to imitate the building's surreal structure and illustrate how it looks at different times of the day.
For Appleton Coated's “UB the Judge” contest, entries are exhibited at five major city events, where those in attendance choose the Gold and Platinum winners. Winners are recognized in a nationally distributed showbook, become a touring exhibit and are featured online.
Other trade associations, OEM suppliers and design affiliates also present awards, including:
- International Assn. of Printing House Craftsmen, Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute
- PIXI (Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging) Awards
- AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) and Graphic Design USA magazine
Because the interest in awards is so high, GAM has launched Award Central to present a selection of winners, with an online extension that includes news of entry deadlines, criteria, etc. Readers can view photo galleries of several competitions' award-winning printed pieces via the “Award Central” print channel at www.graphicartsonline.com/awardcentral.
