2019 in Review: Aussies score with big wins on global stage

2019 saw local print innovation recognised on the world stage with printer Momento Pro, supplier Currie Group, and suburban outfit Style Communications’ graphic designer Indy Griffiths all shining a beacon for local print by winning major awards overseas.

Compared to most of the western world, Australian printers face particular challenges in distance, with a severely limited market size compared to their cousins in the US or Europe and huge kilometre counts between towns and cities. However, despite – or maybe because of – these challenges, printers down under are forced to be more innovative than most.

Sydney-based printer Momento Pro took out what is considered the top spot in global print for a collector’s edition art book, Middlehurst | Middle Earth. Geoff Hunt and Libby Jeffrey from Momento Pro say it was printed on an Epson inkjet printer, but have revealed no further details about how the look was achieved.

Known as the Bennys, and now in their 71st year, the Premier Print Awards is the largest and most prestigious print competition on the global scene, recognised as the Academy Awards of the print world. Award manager Mike Packard said, “This was as close to a unanimous decision as we have ever had. Middlehurst | Middle Earth is a collector’s item. Congratulations Momento Pro on your Best in Show.”

Currie Group won a global WorldStar 2020 Award for its industry-first #rhinosdownunder printed execution that featured on a PKN Packaging News magazine cover.

The Currie Group #rhinosdownunder project showcased how a magazine cover image could be digitally transformed – in this case into a decorative 3D rhino – using all of the latest advanced and interactive technologies for digital printing, and then digitally enhanced with Scodix cold foil and HP Mosaic of Australian landscapes. Every cover and rhino was one of a kind.

Style Communications’ graphic designer Indy Griffiths achieved a Medallion of Excellence at the 45th WorldSkills International Championships, which were held in Kazan, Russia.

Griffiths, supported by her employer, Mona Vale print and sign business Style Communications, and sponsored by suppliers’ association Visual Connections, went as part of a team of 15 young Australian Skillaroos which finished in the top ten of countries competing from around the world.

Congratulations to all on behalf of the whole industry for representing this part of the world so well.