WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE 41st IRISH PRINT AWARDS

Last night, over 400 professionals from across the print industry cheerfully celebrated the 41st Irish Print Awards at a black tie gala ceremony in Crowne Plaza Northwood. The esteemed Awards aim to recognise the country’s best companies in the print and press sector.

With over 175 entries to assess, judges had a difficult decision selecting winners across 31 categories.

The overall winner, Business Print were awarded the coveted title of Printer of the Year as well as Digital Printer of the Year (sponsored by MJ Flood) and Sheetfed Colour Offset Printer of the Year (sponsored by Heidelberg). The late Dr. Lorcán O’hÓbain was honoured with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by NER Recycling), which was accepted by his wife Anne, honouring his outstanding contribution to the industry throughout his esteemed career. His noteworthy accomplishments include serving as President of the Irish Printing Federation on 4 occasions, he was a founding member of the Print and Packaging Forum as well as the Design Print & Packaging Skillnet, all while managing his own business and Lecturing in DIT Bolton Street.

New categories this year included Out of Home Printer, Digital Packaging Printer, Flexo Packaging Printer and Litho Packaging Printer.

Chairman of the judging panel, Freddie Snowe, said of the awards, “Once again our Printing Industry has presented the I.P.A. 2018 with an amazingly diverse array of high quality printed matter for consideration.
Also once again the panel of judges, each bringing their own particular expertise, dovetailed seamlessly for the Blind Judging and following detailed examination, discussion and debate a winner was chosen in each of the 20 plus categories. The same process was followed when the Print of the Year was chosen from the all of the individual winners.
Congratulations to all who entered and for those nominated …you were so close to winning, congratulations to the winners; you have set the bar very high indeed.
The standard of excellence was such that in some cases only a slight imperfection prevented an entry from winning, commiserations to those who were pipped at the post.
I would like to say a special word of thanks to all my fellow judges for your continued commitment to the Irish Print Awards. Your impartiality, your honesty and integrity throughout the judging process bodes well for the future of the awards”.

Impress Printing Works took home two awards, Book Printer of the Year (sponsored by Antalis) and Print Finishing of the Year, both for “Teeny Words”. Other awards which celebrated individuals within the industry included Printer Personality of the Year, David Curtis from Fineprint and Young Print Manager, Ray McKevitt from P+D.

“The National Print Museum is delighted to have been invited as the Irish Print Awards Charity Partner again this year. The Museum was founded by members of the print industry and it is important that this industry remains part of the preservation of the nation’s print heritage,” said Carla Marrinan Funder, CEO, National Print Museum.