To enter the competition, printers can submit any work printed between Jan. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2011, that uses Sappi paper as the dominant stock and is printed in the U.S. or Canada. For each entry, six copies of the printed piece must be submitted by mail along with one copy of the entry form. The entry form and downloadable PDF entry form are available online. All entries must be received by the February 3 deadline.
As well as receiving industry-wide recognition, award-winning printers can win up to $20,000 to support their marketing and branding initiatives. In addition, selected printers will gain increased visibility with current and potential clients by being featured in Sappi's Printers of the Year Online Resource, a searchable database for designers, printer buyers, and corporations.
Printers may submit entries for one of 10 categories: annual reports, books, brochures, calendars, catalogs, digital print, magazines (sheet-fed), magazines (web), printer's own promotions, or general print (any printed material not included in the other categories). Each printer may submit an unlimited number of entries but each entry must be accompanied by its own entry form.
Gold Award winners represent the top prize in each category and are designated Sappi Printers of the Year. The 10 Gold Award winners are rewarded with up to $20,000 in support of the printer's marketing and brand initiatives, an additional 5,000 lbs. of paper provided by Sappi to support their sales and marketing projects, and entry into Sappi's International Printers of the Year.
Silver Award winners from each Sappi North America sales region are chosen in each of the 10 categories. These finalists then move on to represent their regions in the challenge for the Gold Awards and vie for Sappi Printers of the Year status.
Gold, Silver and Judges' Award winners will be featured through their own updatable web page on Sappi's Printers of the Year online resource to better connect them with designers, print buyers, and corporations.
Bronze Award winners will be included in the Printers of the Year online database, with their contact information available to all users.
All entries will be judged on overall impact of the piece, degree of difficulty in the printing techniques, and technical excellence. A panel of judges was chosen from recognized print institutions and trade professions. Names of judges and more information are available online.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/