Newly consolidated categories and the shift back to direct entry in the National Print Awards this year has driven something of a revolution in the judging process and, with entries to the competition closing in just three weeks, we asked 32nd NPA Chairman of Judges, Luke Wooldridge, to tell us how to put your best foot forward in the quest for print excellence.
With the direct entry model being reintroduced to the National Print Awards this year, 
estimates the judging panel will need to deal with about three times the number of entries they’ve seen in previous years.
“We’ve put together a group of experienced people with wide-ranging expertise across all aspects of the industry, and we’ll be dividing them into two groups, each with a specialist focus, to deal with the various categories,” he explains, adding that the two panels will operate side by side, with members from each available to the other if additional expertise is required.
“As most people know, the judging is done ‘blind’ – that is, with no details about the entry available to the judges – but occasionally a job is recognised by a judge, who will then excuse him or herself from evaluating that category. If that happens, or if extra expertise is required in a particular instance, each panel can call on the other for assistance. I’ll also be floating between the two panels to be an extra set of eyes, or provide additional, non-identifying information on entries if required.”
Anyone who has been involved in judging State or National Print Awards over the past 30 years will tell you that there are often entries which miss out on selection for a medal due to easily-avoided errors – but this year, Wooldridge says, the aim is to ensure no worthy job misses out on medalling due to an oversight.
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| Luke Wooldridge |
“The first tip is not to leave your selection of entries until the last minute,” he advises. “Take time now to have a look through the jobs you’ve produced during the eligibility period, which commenced on 1 September 2013 and runs right through till entries close – and carefully select a couple of samples of each worthy job to enter in the National Print Awards.
“If at all possible, send two copies, as we will always check a second sample if we find a problem with the first that appears not to be the fault of the printer or print finisher, and take care with the way you present and package the job, as this can affect the condition and, hence, the competitiveness of your sample.
“Always double check your entries before submitting them, as the tiniest flaw in printing or finishing in just one of the samples can be enough to disqualify an otherwise perfect job,” he says. “Get out your eye glass and use it – you can be sure the judges will!”
Once samples have been selected, Wooldridge says the entry form should be carefully and accurately completed, with as much detail as possible on the production, any difficulties or challenges, details of all parties involved and notes of any embellishment, special effects or other enhancements required by the customer.
Each entry will be assessed by at least two judges, who will check every printed surface in the job looking for perfect registration, a complete absence of hickeys or other faults, fault-free trapping and reverse areas, perfect page line-up and continuity, consistency of colour, absence of set-off, scuffing, scratches or other marks. In digital work, jobs will be checked for banding, gloss differentiation, guide marking, adhesion wicking and bleed, while solvent-based systems will be scrutinised for filling in, tailing, dot skipping and especially mottle.
“Surprisingly, it’s often the most basic things that disqualify entries – for example, mis-registration is the most common fault in all categories and poor finishing often eliminates an otherwise perfect print job - yet it’s so easy to avoid these problems or pick them up in a sample.”
This year’s judges have also been advised that they may consider other aspects such as the quality of image preparation, bleed and plate fit, the accuracy and quality of the finishing, the cleanliness and precision of embellishment and the degree of difficulty and skill require to produce the job.
“At the end of the day, all of these elements together are the real evidence of good print management, skill and quality systems,” Wooldridge says. “Consistently producing excellent print work takes much more than good luck – and so does winning a Gold at the National Print Awards!”
Entries to this year’s National Print Awards close on 12 December and winners will be announced at the National Print Awards Presentation Dinner in Sydney on Friday 15 May, 2015. Details on how to enter can be found at www.nationalprintawards.com.au or on one of the entry forms which are currently circulating in the industry.
National Print Awards
www.nationalprintawards.com.au
