Entries for the FESPA Awards, which last took place in person in 2019, are now open to global print service providers and sign-makers, with a new focus on sustainability. Presentations will be timed for FESPA Munich, May 2023.
Cactus Imaging was awarded a FESPA bronze and a distinction in 2019 for its Amex Building Wrap at Sydney Airport
FESPA has added a new category to the awards event at FESPA Global Print Expo in Munich in May 2023 that will focus on sustainably produced applications. All entrants will be automatically eligible for the new award, organisers said.
“This award will be judged across all categories against environmental considerations, including a reduction in the use of materials, energy and labour throughout production; whether the product can be reused or recycled; if notable attention has been paid to lifecycle analysis; and whether the entry is economically viable.”
FESPA’s Graeme Richardson-Locke said: “As the demand for sustainable production and strong environmental credentials is rising in the industries we represent, printers and sign-makers are having to rethink their production practices, reduce waste and reuse/recycle materials. As a result of this, we are seeing more and more products with a focus on sustainable production come to market.
“Sustainability has been at the top of the agenda for FESPA for quite some time now and, by introducing the Sustainability Award, we want to highlight the incredible talent of companies who are driving change in this area.”
FESPA Awards categories:
Display and POP on Paper and Board
Packaging on Paper and Board
Display and POP on Plastic
Packaging on Plastics
Posters
Serigraphies and Fine Art
Decals and Printed Labels
Wrapping
Creative Special Effects – Paper Board and Plastics
Special Effects on T-shirts, Garments and Other Textiles
Printed Garments
Roll-to-Roll Printed Textiles
Glass, Ceramic, Metal and Wood Products
Direct Printing on Three Dimensional Products
Non-Printed Signage
Functional Printing – Fascias, Dials, Name plates
Printeriors
The final category is the Young Star Award, which can be entered by those aged 16 to 25 working as a vocational trainee or student in digital or screen printing and design. Entrants can enter this award by submitting work in any of the print related categories. There will not be a cost to enter the Young Star category and the prize for the winner is €1,000.
In addition to the Sustainability Award, there are three further Awards that all entrants are automatically considered for. The People’s Choice Award is voted for by FESPA’s online community across all categories and voting for this award will be open from 13 February 2023. The Best in Show Award and the Judges Award for Innovation are chosen by the FESPA Awards judges.
For printers and sign-makers looking to enter the 2023 Awards, entries must be submitted by Wednesday 25 January 2023. The shortlisted entries will be announced on Monday 13 March and will be displayed at FESPA Global Print Expo 2023, which takes place from 23 to 26 May at Messe Munich, Germany. Entry is €100 per entry for members or €150 per entry for non-members.
At the last in-person FESPA Awards in 2019, Auckland printer Permark Industries won the gold medal for Functional Printing, Melbourne’s Seen Technology won two silvers and Cactus Imaging of Sydney was awarded a bronze medal and a distinction award for its Amex Building Wrap at Sydney Airport.
