The Winners of the Second Annual GASAA Printovation Awards 2011 were announced at the presentation and cocktail evening shared with 200+ attendees at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was a great night celebrating innovation in print. GASAA would like to congratulate the 2011 Award winners and all of the entrants, and look forward to seeing more entries and an equally high standard in 2012. Below are full winner details from the evening.

Wide Format

Winner: Painted Parrot - Picpress, VIC

The judges awarded the winning status for the Wide Format category to Picpress’s Painted Parrot entry as part of a series of high quality artworks for a leading Australian professional adventure photographer. The judges unanimously agreed that “The vibrancy of photographic quality reproduction, coupled with the multi -products and processes was most impressive. The entrant had a vision and then had to work out all the processes to get there.”

Offset/Web

Winner: CBA Diamond Awards Welcome Pack - BMF Advertising, NSW

In winning the Offset/Web Category, BMF Advertising’s outstanding entry was part of a premium re-branding of a key CBA loyalty program. The judges remarked that the entry was “a clever combination of finishing, use of alternate substrates and seamless formatting which provided a premium product re-branding and within a well defined client budget. Multiple components combined with complex production values”.

Highly Commended: Sustainability Report 2010 - Finsbury Green, SA

The judges issued a highly commended award in this category to Finsbury Green. The judges said that the entry “highlights the company’s substantial green credentials and demonstrates the firm’s determination to extend its innovative print capabilities by creative folds, die-cuts, graphics and print production The idea of a “circular” publication as metaphor for “closed loop” sustainability is a brilliant”.

Digital (Non-Variable)

Winner: A Night to Shine - Digitalpress, NSW

Winner of Digital (non-variable) category, Digitalpress, dazzled the judges with the high value, exclusive event invitation for a leading hospitality group. The judges said “a brave and creative campaign with a mystery component that is bound to capture the imagination of the intended guests. A clever use of UV inks, substrates and wide format inkjet technology. The UV light accessory added a fun element to the unique invitation which also allowed for smart cross branding for Digitalpress. A reminder that print exists in a world of other media”.

Digital (Variable)

Winner: V8 Supercars Entry Cards- Frontline Print, NSW

This winning entry is a variety of personalised ID cards for restricted access areas at major motor events and was won back from offshore manufacturers by Frontline. The judges noted “the entry produced large quantities at an affordable cost and incorporates simple but effective security laminating. A great example of variable data technologies and well thought out execution. A “total system” - various ideas and processes all bolted together to form an integrated commercial offering”.

General (not elsewhere described)

The judges noted that within the general category there were a number of innovative and exciting examples of print and finishing entries. After some lengthy discussion, the judges on this occasion decided to award two winning Printovation Awards and an Honourable Mention in the category.

Joint Winner: Identity branding & Media kit - Tafeda, NSW

A specialist embossing firm in regional NSW, Tafeda, has produced a double swatch Media Kit contained within a stylish presentation box that has been manufactured, assembled and finished in their NSW regional centre. The judges commended the company “for its’ incredibly stylish and thoughtful compilation demonstrating the craftsmanship and innovation existing within many regionally based printing firms”.

Joint Winner: Superior Foil Print Business Card - Superior Foil Print, VIC

Superior Foil Print set out to produce business cards that extended the firm’s production reach and impress intending clients. The judges said the works are “an outstanding showcase of extraordinary embellishment capabilities. The complex and challenging entry combined many processes in one spectacular outcome. A clear example of where the total exceeds the sum of the parts”.

Honourable Mention: "3D Printed" Patterns for Metal Sandcasting - Creativecorp, NSW

Responding to a client approach for an affordable and accurate way of producing prototype pattern, Creativecorp turned to 3D printing technologies. The results cut client manufacturing time and costs down significantly from traditional methods of casting. The judges were intrigued and impressed with this emerging technology that embraces “inkjet” printing techniques. The judges remarked “this is a new and developing area for printing and needs to be acknowledged in these GASAA awards”