The entry period for the PIA InterTech Technology Awards is currently underway. Graphic communication suppliers and vendors from all over the world are fighting for their chance to have their innovation named as one of the top technologies to impact our industry. With all the tough competition out there, we thought it would be helpful for you to get some advice from someone who knows what it really takes to wow the judges—one of the InterTech Technology Award judges themselves. Check out the conversation below and get the inside scoop on what the judges are really looking for in an InterTech Technology Award recipient.   PIA: Why did you agree to take part in the PIA InterTech Technology Award judging process? InterTech Judge: Firstly because I was asked, but after having judged it for a few years now, it is a great way of seeing all the latest technology and how they apply to the market. The judging panel is made up from the great and the good of the industry and it is a great opportunity to share opinions and thoughts on the relevance of an entry and how we feel it will impact on our industry in coming years. Our industry has been hugely innovative and it is great that there is an award that highlights the best of the best. PIA: What is the judging process like for you? InterTech Judge: It is extremely pressured – we have a lot of entries to go through and sometimes there is much heated debate. The chair is always very organized and the process is pretty efficient. On several occasions I have been persuaded by other judges to change my opinion on a technology entry. PIA: What kind of technologies are you expecting for this year’s round of entries? InterTech Judge: I am sure inkjet will find its way into the entries. But the great thing with InterTech is that there are always wild card entries that come from nowhere. Software is becoming a much bigger aspect to the judging and I expect that this year will be no different. PIA: What kinds of things should an entry include in order to stand out among the rest? InterTech Judge: As judges, we are very experienced individuals from the industry and so the last thing we want to see is “cut and paste” from the marketing literature. This tells us nothing. We want to know the following: Why you entered this into the InterTech awards and what specifically about the entry is unique, special, or different. We don’t want every other aspect of the product or 400 words on the history of the company. Keep it short – remember as judges...

The entry period for the PIA InterTech Technology Awards is currently underway. Graphic communication suppliers and vendors from all over the world are fighting for their chance to have their innovation named as one of the top technologies to impact our industry. With all the tough competition out there, we thought it would be helpful for you to get some advice from someone who knows what it really takes to wow the judges—one of the InterTech Technology Award judges themselves. Check out the conversation below and get the inside scoop on what the judges are really looking for in an InterTech Technology Award recipient.   PIA: Why did you agree to take part in the PIA InterTech Technology Award judging process? InterTech Judge: Firstly because I was asked, but after having judged it for a few years now, it is a great way of seeing all the latest technology and how they apply to the market. The judging panel is made up from the great and the good of the industry and it is a great opportunity to share opinions and thoughts on the relevance of an entry and how we feel it will impact on our industry in coming years. Our industry has been hugely innovative and it is great that there is an award that highlights the best of the best. PIA: What is the judging process like for you? InterTech Judge: It is extremely pressured – we have a lot of entries to go through and sometimes there is much heated debate. The chair is always very organized and the process is pretty efficient. On several occasions I have been persuaded by other judges to change my opinion on a technology entry. PIA: What kind of technologies are you expecting for this year’s round of entries? InterTech Judge: I am sure inkjet will find its way into the entries. But the great thing with InterTech is that there are always wild card entries that come from nowhere. Software is becoming a much bigger aspect to the judging and I expect that this year will be no different. PIA: What kinds of things should an entry include in order to stand out among the rest? InterTech Judge: As judges, we are very experienced individuals from the industry and so the last thing we want to see is “cut and paste” from the marketing literature. This tells us nothing. We want to know the following: Why you entered this into the InterTech awards and what specifically about the entry is unique, special, or different. We don’t want every other aspect of the product or 400 words on the history of the company. Keep it short – remember as judges...

Printing Industries of America mourns the loss of one of its long-time allies, James (Jim) Mayes, Jr. Recognized as a faithful supporter and vocal advocate of the printing industry, Jim leaves behind an indelible mark. Jim owned and operated Colorcraft of Virginia for many years prior to his retirement. He was exceptionally active in Printing Industries of Virginia (PIVA), Print & Graphics Association of the Mid-Atlantic (PGAMA), and Printing Industries of America (PIA). Jim served on several committees within all three organizations, chairing both, the PIA and PIVA organizations, during his career. His most recent tenure was spent as the Chair of the PIA’s Premier Print Awards, a position he whole-heartedly embraced. Jim’s spirit will continue on in the many young people he introduced to the printing industry through his vigorous support of printing educational programs, including Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation and the Monroe Technology Center. “Today is a very sad day for America’s printing industry as one of its greatest left this Earth. Jim Mayes was one of the most passionate promoters of print in the industry,” said Michael Makin, President & CEO of Printing Industries of America, upon hearing of Jim’s passing. “He was a consummate gentleman, champion of education, proponent of research and ambassador of print awards from coast to coast.  He will be sorely missed and PIA extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife Kathy, daughters Michelle and Meredith, and his grandchildren.” A funeral service will be conducted, Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Palmyra, Virginia. Friends and family may leave remembrances at the Thacker Brothers website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Jim Mayes Memorial Scholarship Fund at Monroe Technology Center, 715 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg, VA 20175, Attention: Janice...

Printing Industries of America mourns the loss of one of its long-time allies, James (Jim) Mayes, Jr. Recognized as a faithful supporter and vocal advocate of the printing industry, Jim leaves behind an indelible mark. Jim owned and operated Colorcraft of Virginia for many years prior to his retirement. He was exceptionally active in Printing Industries of Virginia (PIVA), Print & Graphics Association of the Mid-Atlantic (PGAMA), and Printing Industries of America (PIA). Jim served on several committees within all three organizations, chairing both, the PIA and PIVA organizations, during his career. His most recent tenure was spent as the Chair of the PIA’s Premier Print Awards, a position he whole-heartedly embraced. Jim’s spirit will continue on in the many young people he introduced to the printing industry through his vigorous support of printing educational programs, including Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation and the Monroe Technology Center. “Today is a very sad day for America’s printing industry as one of its greatest left this Earth. Jim Mayes was one of the most passionate promoters of print in the industry,” said Michael Makin, President & CEO of Printing Industries of America, upon hearing of Jim’s passing. “He was a consummate gentleman, champion of education, proponent of research and ambassador of print awards from coast to coast.  He will be sorely missed and PIA extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife Kathy, daughters Michelle and Meredith, and his grandchildren.” A funeral service will be conducted, Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Palmyra, Virginia. Friends and family may leave remembrances at the Thacker Brothers website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Jim Mayes Memorial Scholarship Fund at Monroe Technology Center, 715 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg, VA 20175, Attention: Janice...

The 2016 Premier Print Awards opened for submissions in February, and all of us at PIA headquarters are excited to see what printers around the world have produced over the past year. Often referred to as “The Oscars of the Industry,” this international competition brings together printers from around the globe to have their pieces meticulously judged by our panel of industry experts. Together, our judges have over 100 years of industry experience and will thoroughly examine each piece down to the last drop of ink. Now in its 67th year, the Premier Print Awards prides itself on honoring every deserving company no matter their size; from the mom-and-pop shop to the million dollar franchise, every organization has their fair shot at the prestigious, coveted Benny statue. Recipients of the Premier Print Awards benefit from substantial industry exposure. Winners are announced to a list of over 800 industry media contacts and included in the PPA Supplement that is available at the Premier Print Awards Gala as well as the Printing Industries of America GRAPH EXPO booth. Winners are also invited to attend the Premier Print Awards Gala featuring the InterTech™ Technology Awards, where the Best of Show winners collect their Benny statues. During this event, print’s biggest winners gather to rub elbows and show off their winning pieces. Shortly after the results are announced, self-promotion kits are mailed to help you highlight your win. As a recipient of a Premier Print Award, you have access to a pre-drafted press release and Premier Print Award logos. By prominently displaying your statue, certificate, and logo, you let the whole world know that you are the best of the best in print! There are lots of ways to use award wins to grow your customer base. Join us on March 2 at 4:00 p.m. EST when we co-host Print Chat and talk about your options. Simply log on to http://nurph.com/PrintChat/chats/3135 with your Twitter handle and join the conversation. We hope to see you...

The 2016 Premier Print Awards opened for submissions in February, and all of us at PIA headquarters are excited to see what printers around the world have produced over the past year. Often referred to as “The Oscars of the Industry,” this international competition brings together printers from around the globe to have their pieces meticulously judged by our panel of industry experts. Together, our judges have over 100 years of industry experience and will thoroughly examine each piece down to the last drop of ink. Now in its 67th year, the Premier Print Awards prides itself on honoring every deserving company no matter their size; from the mom-and-pop shop to the million dollar franchise, every organization has their fair shot at the prestigious, coveted Benny statue. Recipients of the Premier Print Awards benefit from substantial industry exposure. Winners are announced to a list of over 800 industry media contacts and included in the PPA Supplement that is available at the Premier Print Awards Gala as well as the Printing Industries of America GRAPH EXPO booth. Winners are also invited to attend the Premier Print Awards Gala featuring the InterTech™ Technology Awards, where the Best of Show winners collect their Benny statues. During this event, print’s biggest winners gather to rub elbows and show off their winning pieces. Shortly after the results are announced, self-promotion kits are mailed to help you highlight your win. As a recipient of a Premier Print Award, you have access to a pre-drafted press release and Premier Print Award logos. By prominently displaying your statue, certificate, and logo, you let the whole world know that you are the best of the best in print! There are lots of ways to use award wins to grow your customer base. Join us on March 2 at 4:00 p.m. EST when we co-host Print Chat and talk about your options. Simply log on to http://nurph.com/PrintChat/chats/3135 with your Twitter handle and join the conversation. We hope to see you...