Judges will be seeking out the company that best demonstrates a combination of good-quality colour results, with innovative applications. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different digitally printed pieces of print (so each entry will consist of an entry form, four different digitally printed samples and a 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2016, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company – for example a special finish – remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Please note large-format digital print work can also be entered into the Poster category.
Company of the Year
Here the judges are looking at the business performance of the entering companies. These categories take into account the quality of the balance sheet and profit-and-loss accounts; investment in technology and people; and other achievements, such as the winning of new contracts or the overcoming of exceptional circumstances. This means that we need to see real substantive evidence, including report and accounts, but we guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information. The financial year under review is April 2016 to the end of March 2017.
Cross-media Company of the Year
This award is for the best combination of print and digital communications, so don't forget to include examples of the digital elements of the campaign, whether they be email, a website, SMS, App etc, as well as the print part in your entry. So as well as the 500-word summary on the project and the challenges involved and goals achieved, the judges are also looking for a detailed client testimonial that describes aspects such as bottom-line impact, response rates, ROI, sustainability, data collection and any other metrics that the client/entrant thinks are appropriate.
Customer Service Team of the Year
The period under review is April 2016 to the end of March 2017, so your entry should detail a project or projects that were undertaken during this time. As well as the 500-word summary on the project(s) and the challenges involved and goals achieved, the judges will be looking for a detailed client testimonial(s) that describes the impact of your team's dedication to customer service. The more detailed the information the better. All judges sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to judging the PrintWeek Awards and client confidentiality will be respected (see rule 5).
Environmental Company of the Year
The period under review is April 2016 to the end of March 2017. It is worth noting that the judges of this category are environmental specialists and this will be the only category they judge, so highly detailed submissions are not only accepted, but welcomed. However, remember to use your 500 word summary to highlight your achievements and their impact and then reference the supporting evidence so that judges do not miss any of the critical information. Sensitive information will be kept confidential, see rule 5.
Marketing Campaign of the Year
This award is for a marketing campaign or project, and with any form of marketing expenditure there has to be a proven return-on-investment – so don't forget to include the results of the campaign. While the Award is focused on impact and results, the judges would like to see examples of the campaign elements, whether they be print, email, a website, SMS, App or photos from a live/experiential event. Client testimonials are also encouraged.
SME of the Year
Here the judges are looking at the business performance of the entering companies. This category takes into account the quality of the balance sheet and profit-and-loss accounts; investment in technology and people; and other achievements, such as the winning of new contracts, or the overcoming of exceptional circumstances. This means that we need to see real substantive evidence, including report and accounts, but we guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information
Trainee of the Year
The Heidelberg bursary of £2,000 is open to any trainee, including full- or part-time employees or students, undertaking any form of print-related qualification, from an in-house apprenticeship or NVQ to a degree. There is no limit to the number of trainees/students any college or employer may nominate, and each entry is free. Entries should be submitted by a lecturer or the trainee's employer, and should include a brief report (up to 500 words) from the nominating lecturer/employer on why each the trainee has been nominated, together with examples of his or her coursework and a 500-word declaration from the trainee supporting their entry.
Book Printer of the Year
Judges will be looking for the highest quality of printing married to precision in binding. Books printed sheet-fed or digitally may be entered and judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different books either case bound or paperback or both. Each entry will consist of an entry form, four different books printed since 1 July 2015 and a 250-word production summary for each sample. If any part of the job was produced by a different company, for example a special finish – remember to credit the company that undertook it. Also, because the finishing of the books is of critical importance in this category, where the binding has not been done in-house the trade bindery/ies used must be declared on the production sheet.
Brochure Printer of the Year
Judges will be looking for consistent quality of repro, print and finishing. Brochures printed sheet-fed litho as well as digital may be entered and the judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different brochures (so each entry will consist of an entry form, four different brochures and 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2016, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company – for example the binding, repro or special finish – remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Catalogue Printer of the Year
Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different jobs (so each entry will consist of an entry form, four different job samples and 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2016, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company – for example the binding – remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Direct Mail Printer of the Year
While print is clearly the focus, the full range of finishing techniques will also be judged in this category, including folding, perforating, personalisation, die-cutting and pop-ups. Judges will be looking for consistent quality of print and finishing as well as repro (if applicable). DM pieces printed sheet-fed or web offset, and digital, may be entered and judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different direct mail pieces (so each entry will consist of an entry form, four different DM samples and a 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2016, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company – for example the repro or a special finish – remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Fine Art Printer of the Year
Judges will be looking for consistent quality of print as well as repro (if applicable). Fine art work printed sheet-fed litho or digitally may be entered and judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different examples of fine art work (so each entry will consist of an entry form, four different samples and a 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2015, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company – for example the repro or a special finish – remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Please note that large-format fine art prints, specifically anything above six-sheet poster size, should be entered in the poster category.
FMCG Packaging Printer of the Year
Judges will be looking for consistent quality of repro, print and finishing. Packaging printed sheet-fed litho, digitally, flexo or gravure on any substrate, including flexibles, may be entered and the judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. For this category, remember to highlight the challenges overcome in your production summary, from impossibly tight deadlines to unwavering colour accuracy.
All entries need to include a single-copy example of four different items of packaging (so each entry will consist of four different products and a 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2015, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company (the repro work, for example) remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Industrial Digital Printer of the Year
Judges will be seeking out the company that best demonstrates a combination of good-quality colour results, with innovative applications. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different digitally printed pieces of print (so each entry will consist of an entry form, four different digitally printed samples and a 250-word production summary for each sample), printed since 1 July 2015, in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company – for example a special finish – remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Please note large-format digital print work should be entered into the Poster category.