The inaugural Printovation Awards have been developed to recognise innovation, creativity and high quality in print. If your print company is doing all these things then our judges want to see your work. To assist companies in entering these brand new awards, we've compiled the following tips to help your entry stand out.

Before you Enter

1. Have you achieved something truly innovative? Our judges won't necessarily be looking for elements that they haven't seen before, but if you have combined a number of different techniques, both technical and strategic, to create an original concept, than you are on the right track.
2. Did you meet/exceed the client's brief? We're not looking for innovation just for innovation's sake, it is important that your work has met or exceeded the objectives you set out to achieve.

Your Entry Form

1. Have you got the title right? Remember, the entry form will describe who the client is, what you've done and what you've achieved, the title of the entry doesn't need to. To help us and our judges get excited about your entries, give your entry a title that reflects your innovative thinking. Be humourous, be provocative, be punchy, most of all make sure the title is memorable and interesting.
2. There are 6 different categories, which best matches your entry? To ensure your entry is not dismissed in the early stages of judging, make sure it is in the right category. The categories include wide format (over SRA3), offset/web, digital SRA3 and under (non-variable data), digital (variable/ direct marketing/ cross-media), online marketing and general (not elsewhere described). You should select only one category which describes the primary process used to execute the campaign. If you're unsure, contact GASAA on 02 9386 1595.
3. Give us the details. The key specifications section is where you should describe the how many, what of, on what and equipment used details of your entry. The judges want to understand the scale and nature of your campaign first of all.
4. What did the client ask for? The client expectations section is just that - what was the client's objective/s and how did your entry meet and exceed the client's expectations? Using ROI and measurables to support your answer will stand out. When explaining objectives be specific and benchmark them by quantifying the goals with percentages and/or actual numbers.

Where's the Printovation?

1. Why does your entry deserve a Printovation Award? Finally, in the innovative nature section, the judges want you to substantiate why your entry is innovative and original. This is where you can show off the finer points of techniques used and strategies developed and executed for the client.
2. What's your strong point? Maybe you've come up with a ground-breaking technique, or your team put together a really clever use of media, or maybe you consider the campaign was innovative in general; whatever the case, fully highlight what is new and unique about your work and remind judges of the challenges faced and the degree of difficulty you mastered.

Do's and Don't's

Do

• Keep it Simple & Short - Make sure your entry is focused and concise.
• Complete the Entire Entry Form - Leaving sections blank won't assist the judges in judging your entry.
• Make a team effort - If it was a team effort executing the job you're entering, then make it a team effort executing the entry. Account managers may be able to best describe client expectations whilst production pro's can explain the techniques used and the degree of difficulty.
• Triple check - Bad spelling and grammar will make your entry look careless, have someone thoroughly spell-check the entry and consider having someone not familiar with the job look over the entry to ensure it makes sense to an 'outsider'.
• Give us something to look at - We require 3 hard copies of your print entry, make sure they're all in top condition and give us original artwork - not photocopies or screen grabs. Make sure all pieces have your entry title on them. For those entering the wide format category please contact GASAA to discuss how a replica of the project can be made available for judging and viewing.

Don't

• Leave things til the last minute - So you can put your best foot forward, make sure you allow plenty of time to draft, edit, collaborate and finalise your entry before submission.
• Be dishonest or vague - Inflated or dishonest results will be found out and disqualified. If you've clearly explained the challenge and degree of difficulty than even 'small' achievements can be impressive. Being vague won't work in your favour either, judges need to see precisely what you've achieved.
• Use clichés - Part of innovation is originality, so be original and avoid using terms like 'thinking outside the square', 'challenging conventional wisdom' and 'taking a holistic view'.
• Be boring - The judges have a number of entries to review, a well written and entertaining entry will capture their attention and stand out in their memory. Boring entries get left at the bottom of the pile.