Pride in Print Awards 2024: A Night to Remember
It was with much anticipation and excitement that I attended my first Pride In Print Awards at the Takina Convention Centre in Wellington. I was particularly eager to meet other print enthusiasts as well as immerse myself in the excitement of the evening. The Pride In Print Awards have always been a celebration of the best in our industry, and this year was no exception.
As the night unfolded, the atmosphere buzzed with a shared love for the print industry. The event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and be inspired by the incredible work being produced across New Zealand.
While I had submitted pieces into the competition before, you can never be certain what will catch the judges' attention or resonate with them. I quietly hoped that one of my entries might receive some recognition, but I didn’t anticipate the outcome that awaited me.
To my absolute delight, not only were my entries recognised, but they also received some of the top awards of the evening. The comments from the judges were overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and innovative approach of my work.
It was a moment of immense pride and validation for the countless hours of dedication that went into each piece.
Premium Stationery Set: Pacific Rim Notecards
Premium Stationery Set: Pacific Rim Notecards
CATEGORY WINNER: Print Finishing
Premium Stationery Sets by The Armarie Room
Judges Comments:
”Expert debossing, creasing, trimming and diecutting were among finishing processes demonstrated in this double stationery set. With very consistent production qualities throughout both sets, this was an overall beautiful, very-well-finished job.”
Premium Stationery Set: Aotearoa Notecards
Premium Stationery Set: Aotearoa Notecards
CATEGORY WINNER: Print Industry Promotion
Premium Stationery Sets by The Armarie Room
Judges Comments:
”Incorporating a range of old and new processes and techniques delivered millimetre perfect, this double stationery set highlighted technical accuracy, supreme craftmanship and in-depth understanding of materials. The outcome is a magnificent, contemporary print.”
Premium Stationery Set: You Are The Best Greeting Cards
Premium Stationery Set: You Are The Best Greeting Cards
PROCESS WINNER: Letterpress
Premium Stationery Sets by The Armarie Room
Judges Comments:
”Repeatedly “asking for trouble”, given the number of technical challenges presented by the job’s fine details within tiny margins, this double stationery set delivered a faultless representation of process enhanced by a range of embellishing and finishing features.”
The Great Hall: invitation and details card
GOLD AWARD WINNER: Specialty Products
The Black Barn Wedding Invite
The artwork for this project was custom designed for Tegan and Carl. They wanted the artwork to incorporate the landscape surrounding their wedding venue, which includes Mount Tarawera and Lake Tarawera. The texture of volcanic rock found in the landscape served as inspiration for the artwork. The debossed line work is intended to represent the rich, watery texture of the lake. The artwork was intentionally designed to create both debossing and embossing effects when run through the printing press, creating a tactile and visually interesting result.”
The recognition at the Pride In Print Awards is more than just an accolade; it’s a testament to the hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence that drives me every day. Being acknowledged among such talented peers is both humbling and motivating, pushing me to continue exploring new creative horizons in printmaking.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the judges, the organisers, and everyone who has supported my journey in this incredible industry. The Pride In Print Awards 2024 will always be a milestone for me, not just for the awards, but for the connections made and the inspiration gained.