The Fespa Awards are now officially open for entries, marking the start of its search for pioneering and innovative projects in the print industry. With 15 categories designed to celebrate the achievements and innovations across the print industry and non-printed signage industry, the Fespa Awards is the print industry’s only independent, global Awards programme to recognise outstanding contributions.
Renowned for unearthing talent
Now in its 26th year, the Fespa Awards programme is renowned for unearthing talent across all disciplines of the print industry. Spanish print shop Taller de Serigrafia and South African-based printer Screenline are just two previous winners who credit their business growth to these Awards. Christian M. Walter, managing director of Taller de Serigrafia stated: “I think it´s evident that there is no better publicity for a print studio than winning a prize as prestigious as a Fespa Gold Award. Anybody who is entirely convinced to have done something extraordinary should send their submissions, as these awards are a major showcase for a printer´s work and skills.” Likewise, Neil de Greef, managing director of Screenline commentend on his triumph: “Winning a Fespa Award has given our company, not only the confidence and validation for our work, but has also provided a springboard to drive further innovation within the marketplace.”
More time to assess entered work
As in previous years, entrants for all categories will be required to submit their work by the 27th of January, 2017. Judging will take place during the 1st and 2nd of March by an independent panel of industry experts. This differs from the previous judging process, which has always taken place alongside the Fespa exhibition. The reason behind this change, as explained by Fespa’s Head of Events, Duncan MacOwan, is to “allow the judges more time to assess the entered work, and debate the eventual winners of each category; a task which proves more challenging each year as the quality and volume of entries continues to grow.”
Open to all printers and signmakers 
The Fespa Awards 2017 are open to all printers and signmakers who have produced quality projects with technical expertise relevant to the application. Entries will be judged on technique, colour appearance, image definition, job complexity, use and creativity. The full list of awards criteria and judging deadlines can be found on its website.
All shortlisted entries will also be displayed at the Hamburg Messe in Germany during Fespa 2017, on the 8-12th of May. The winners will be announced in front of an elite audience of global industry experts at Fespa’s Gala Night on Wednesday, May 9th, in Hamburg. Act quickly, for there are less than two months to apply.
