This category is aimed at short-run (less than 1,000 copies), high-value digital print, including, but not restricted to, brochures, mailings, packaging and presentation packs. Judges will be seeking out the company that best demonstrates a combination of the highest quality colour results, with innovative applications.
Judging Criteria Here the judges are looking at the quality of work produced and the ' wow' factor, it's as simple as that. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different digitally printed pieces of print in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company -- for example a special finish -- remember to credit the company that undertook it.
This award is designed for the best examples of publications including magazines, brochures, catalogues, and report & accounts. These are typically premium products where the emphasis is placed on manufacturing a product that reflects the value the client places on the content featured. Publications printed using any process, may be entered and judges will take into account the production implications of each technology.
Judging Criteria Judges will be looking for consistent quality of print and finishing as well as repro (if applicable). Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different publications. Ideally entries will consist of a breadth of publication types, regardless though you cannot submit more than one issue of the same publication.
If any part of the job was produced by a different company - for example the repro or a special finish - remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Books printed in the UK are renowned for their quality across the globe, and this award celebrates all that is great about UK book printing. Judges will be looking for the highest quality of printing married to precision in binding. Books printed sheetfed litho or digitally may be entered and judges will take into account production implications for each technology.
Judging Criteria Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different books either case bound or paperback or both. Each entry will consist of four different books and if any part of the job was produced by a different company, for example a special finish - remember to credit the company that undertook it. Also, because the finishing of the books is of critical importance in this category, where the binding has not been done in-house the trade bindery/ies used must be declared on the production sheet.
The judges are looking for stunning examples of long-run (over 1,000 copies) targeted messaging, whether it's high-volume direct mail or transactional documents or any other form of communication where the quality of the complex data handling and implementation in terms of the number of variables, text and images, is as important as the quality of the printed product.
Judging Criteria Judges will be seeking out the company that best demonstrates a combination of good-quality colour results, with innovative applications. Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different digitally printed pieces of print in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company - for example special finish - remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Award-winning labels need to tick a number of boxes, from illustrating the highest-quality print and production values to actually being fit for purpose, whether that be 'selling' the contents or adhering to brand specifications. Labels are a broad church and any form of label can be entered into this category, from food and beverages to tins of paint and everything in between.
Judging Criteria Judges will be looking for consistent quality of repro, print and finishing and of particular interest will be the use and application of special colours and finishes, and printing on difficult or unusual substrates. Labels printed using any process, for example sheetfed litho, digital, flexo, gravure, screen, letterpress or any combination, may be entered and the judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. If any part of the job was produced by a different company - for example the repro or special finish - remember to credit the company that undertook it.
The packaging printer of the Year is targeted at packaging of all shapes and sizes. Entries will likely consist of (but are not restricted to) products such as presentation boxes for wines and spirits, media packaging for DVD or book box-sets, beauty products and even presentation packs etc. Award-winning packaging needs to tick a number of boxes, from illustrating the highest quality print and production values, to actually being fit for purpose, whether that be 'selling' the contents or keeping them safe from harm - or both.
Judging Criteria Judges will be looking for consistent quality of repro, print and finishing. Packaging printed sheetfed litho, digitally, flexo or gravure on any substrate, including flexibles, may be entered and the judges will take into account the production implications of each technology. All entries need to include a single-copy example of four different pieces of packaging. For this category, remember to highlight the challenges overcome in your production summary, from impossibly tight deadlines to unwavering colour accuracy.
Finishing is often dubbed the Cinderella process, but it represents the single biggest opportunity for a great job to become truly spectacular. This award is open to both trade finishers and in-house finishing departments. The judges will be looking for the use of a finishing process (or a combination of processes) that genuinely adds value to a printed product.
Judging Criteria Here the judges are looking at the quality of the work produced. All entries need to include a single copy example of four different jobs in order to demonstrate consistent production excellence. If any part of the job was produced by a different company - for example the print - remember to mention the company that undertook it.
This award will recognise those companies that demonstrate excellence and innovation in wide- or large-format printing. This can include, but is not restricted to instore materials such as point-of-purchase and window displays, out-of-home advertising, vehicle advertising, building wraps, experiential marketing and exhibition graphics. As well as the highest quality print, we'll be looking for innovation in in-situ effectiveness, construction, if applicable, and outstanding customer service.
Judging Criteria Judges will be looking for brilliant execution in wide- or large-format print. Material printed using sheefed litho, screen or wide-format digital technology on any substrate may be entered and judges will take into account the production implications of each technology and substrate. Remember though, it's not just about material and print, but the way they have been used together, stretching the boundaries, introducing new concepts and techniques giving that wow affect.
Due to size constraints at the judging venue, for larger projects, such as billboards, exhibition graphics, experiential marketing and building wraps etc. the samples supplied should be a 1 meter square section of the actual printed job at 100% scale, along with photographs of the full installation in situ, a high-quality/contract proof* and a 250-word summary. For instore samples, the full project should be supplied.
All entrants are advised to speak to the Awards Team to discuss their entries prior to submitting.
If any part of the job was produced by a different company - for example the repro or special finish - remember to credit the company that undertook it.
Being named Printweek's company of the Year is the ultimate accolade in the printing industry. This award recognises outstanding achievement, based on the financial and business performance of a company during the judging period (see criteria below). Please supply any information that helps to substantiate your achievement, including report and accounts and a 500-word summary on why you should win this award. Other information, such as letters of commendation, investment strategies, and growth plans will also be considered.
Judging Criteria Here the judges are looking at the business performance of the entering companies. This category takes into account the quality of the balance sheet and profit-and-loss accounts; investment in technology and people; and other achievements, such as the winning of new contracts or the overcoming of exceptional circumstances. This means that we need to see real substantive evidence, including report and accounts, but we guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information. The financial year under review is 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.
This category uses the same criteria as Company of the Year, but is for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and is designed to recognise the achievements of print companies that make up the backbone of the industry. Please supply any information which helps to substantiate your achievements, including report and accounts, and a 500-word summary on why you should win this award. Other information, such as letters of commendation, investment strategies, and growth plans will also be considered.
To qualify for the SME of the Year category, entrants must have a turnover of £10.2 million or less.
Judging Criteria Here the judges are looking at the business performance of the entering companies. This category takes into account the quality of the balance sheet and profit-and-loss accounts; investment in technology and people; and other achievements, such as the winning of new contracts or the overcoming of exceptional circumstances. This means that we need to see real substantive evidence, including report and accounts, but we guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information. The financial year under review is 1October 2022 to 30 September 2023.
Customer Service Team of the Year - Large Enterprise
This award recognises the importance of world-class customer service amongst larger print businesses including print manager, and that successful companies have to provide much more than 'just ink on paper'. It will be awarded to the customer service team from an organisation with annual revenue of more than £10.2 million that demonstrates exemplary performance in offering innovative customer service solutions to customers. This could involve solving a specific problem(s) or thinking proactively on behalf of the customer. Please support your entry with a 500-word summary on why your company should win, along with a specific customer service cast study or studies.
Judging Criteria The period under review is 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023, so your entry should detail a project or projects that were undertaken during this time. As well as the 500-word summary on the project(s) and the challenges involved and goals achieved, the judges will be looking for a detailed client testimonial(s) that describes the impact of your team's dedication to customer service. The more detailed the information the better. All judges sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to judging the Printweek Awards and client confidentiality will be respected.
This reconfigured award recognises the importance of world-class customer service amongst SME print businesses, and that successful companies have to provide much more than 'just ink on paper'. It will be awarded to the customer service team from a print SME with annual sales of £10.2 million or less that demonstrates exemplary performance in offering innovative customer service solutions to customers. This could involve solving a specific problem(s) or thinking proactively on behalf of the customer. Please support your entry with a 500-word summary on why your company should win, along with a specific customer service cast study or studies.
Judging Criteria The period under review is 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023, so your entry should detail a project or projects that were undertaken during this time. As well as the 500-word summary on the project(s) and the challenges involved and goals achieved, the judges will be looking for a detailed client testimonial(s) that describes the impact of your team's dedication to customer service. The more detailed the information the better. All judges sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to judging the Printweek Awards and client confidentiality will be respected.
Environmental Company of the Year - Large Enterprise
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This award will go to the large print company, which has sales of more than £10.2 million, that has done most to improve its environmental performance during the period under review. The judges will be looking for evidence of the programmes or changes implemented, and of the measurable results of these changes. Please supply all relevant information that will substantiate your environmental achievement, including a 500-word summary and a copy of your company’s environmental policy.
Judging Criteria The period under review is 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. It is worth noting that in this category, arguably more than any other the devil is in the detail, so detailed submissions are not only accepted, but welcomed. However, remember to use your 500-word summary to highlight your achievements during the judging period and then detail their impact in your supporting evidence so that judges do not miss any of the critical information. Sensitive information will be kept confidential.
This award will go to the SME company, which has sales of £10.2 million or less, that has done most to improve its environmental performance during the period under review. The judges will be looking for evidence of the programmes or changes implemented, and of the measurable results of these changes. Please supply all relevant information that will substantiate your environmental achievement, including a 500-word summary and a copy of your company’s environmental policy.
Judging Criteria The period under review is 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. It is worth noting that in this category, arguably more than any other the devil is in the detail, so detailed submissions are not only accepted, but welcomed. However, remember to use your 500-word summary to highlight your achievements during the judging period and then detail their impact in your supporting evidence so that judges do not miss any of the critical information. Sensitive information will be kept confidential.
This category aims to recognise the UK print company that has demonstrated the best use of marketing to promote its own business. The award will be judged on one project or campaign that the entering print company has either developed and executed itself or with the assistance of a marketing agency. However, if a marketing agency was used this must be made clear in the submission. The campaign can be print, digital or experiential based or a combination of all three.
Judging Criteria This award is for a marketing campaign or project, and with any form of marketing expenditure there has to be a proven return-on-investment – so don't forget to include the cost and results of the campaign. While the Award is focused on impact and results, the judges would like to see examples of the campaign elements, whether they be print, email, a website, SMS, App or photos from a live/experiential event or screen shots from a virtual event. Client testimonials are also encouraged.
Critical to the entry, as well as the 500-word summary on the project and the challenges involved, is detailed information on the bottom-line impact, response rates, ROI, sustainability, data collection and any other metrics that the entrant thinks are appropriate. If this information is sensitive, please mark it ‘not for publication’. However, the category will be largely judged on the results of the campaign, so failure to include this information will impact your chances of winning.
The campaigns must have run at some point between 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.
It will come as no surprise that every year the Printweek Trainee of the Year is guaranteed the single biggest cheer of the night. There's no doubt that the industry is facing the ticking time-bomb of an aging workforce, so this award's goal is simple: to honour the best trainees in the industry and prove that a passion for print is something to be celebrated and nurtured.
Judging Criteria The Heidelberg bursary of £2,000 is awarded to the winner of this category and is open to any trainee, including full- or part-time employees or students, undertaking any form of print-related qualification, from an in-house apprenticeship or NVQ to a degree. There is no limit to the number of trainees/students any college or employer may nominate, and each entry is free. Entries should be submitted by a lecturer or the trainee's employer, and should include a brief report (up to 500 words) from the nominating lecturer/employer on why each the trainee has been nominated, together with examples of his or her coursework and a 500-word declaration from the trainee supporting their entry.
The year under review is 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023, so the trainee must have been involved in some form or training or career development during this time. Trainees on in-house apprenticeships may enter even if there is no officially recognised qualification at the end of the apprenticeship.
IMPORTANT: Trainees, if shortlisted, and their nominating lecturer or line manager must be available to attend the Awards ceremony as Heidelberg's guests on the 6 March 2024.
Innovation is at the heart of the printing industry, and this new flexible category has been developed to recognise that undeniable fact. The award is designed to recognise both product- and business strategy-based innovation and while there will be only one shortlist, there may well be and is, in fact, likely to be more than one category winner.
This award is designed to reward innovation from companies of all shapes and sizes because innovation doesn’t discriminate. It can come from any corner of the industry, factory or office as it starts with nothing more than an idea from your greatest asset – people.
