How to impress the judges

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The following are some hints and tips for getting the best from your PICA entries

  1. Selecting your entries

    • If you want to win, you need to plan your tactics and not just grab any old job at the last minute. Many other printers take PICA Awards seriously; you need to do the same.
    • It all hinges on how well you select your entries. Invest time; develop a process or system that identifies your best work through out the year so you are ready when the Awards come round.
    • Possibly form a small committee. Encourage apprentices to participate.
    • Focus initially on selecting your best works, and then decide which category to enter them in. Consider the most appropriate category carefully.
    • Carefully scrutinise a run and select a perfect copy to retain for the Awards. Never use a sample from a job bag unless it is perfect. Intently examine every aspect of every entry in minute detail – the judges do! Use a magnifying glass – the judges do!
    • Remember: every page counts.
    • Ensure that the print job client is aware and OK with the entry going in
  2. Presenting your entries

    Note: Printing category entries do not need to be mounted, but may be if entrants choose, to protect the work or ensure optimum presentation.

    • Make sure your entry stands out. This is an intense competition and presentation counts.
    • Keep your entry completely anonymous (unless in the self promotion category).
    • Where appropriate and/or required (eg Labels), additional copies can be provided in a clearly identified bag or folder
  3. Completing the entry information

    • An official entry form must be completed for each entry. Double check that the information is clear, accurate, correct & legible.
    • Ensure that each piece of work is entered in the most appropriate category.
    • Ensure that you have complied with all of the entry conditions.
  4. What information do the judges need?

    • Keep Section B of the entry form completely anonymous (unless in the self promotion category).
    • Do provide any additional information that helps to tell the story of the entry and/or the production process. Include additional pages if you wish.
  5. Packaging & transporting your entries

    • Be aware of the closing date and ensure that entries arrive on time.
    • Take time with packaging and care with transporting, to ensure that entries arrive in pristine condition.
  6. What do the judges look for?

    • The suitability for the entry in the particular category.
    • The overall quality of production (first visual impression).
    • A visual comparison with other entries in the category
    • A detailed inspection of the entry looking at any standout features, technical difficulty, uniqueness.
    • With the high standard of entries, the judges look for any imperfection to differentiate the entry from others in the category.

      For example:

      • Registration of all components, not just print.
      • Colour variation, especially in repeat solids throughout a multi section publication.
      • Hickeys
      • Spots and broken type
      • Mottle
      • Ink lay on the paper (trapping)
      • Roller marks
      • Ghosting
      • Ink chalking (folder marks, handling marks, scuffing)
      • Moiré patterns
      • Dot gain
      • Plate misfit
      • Misregister
      • Sharpness and tonal values
      • Folding, especially in book entries for folio backup throughout the book, cracking of cover material, art paper, cast coated paper.
      • Binding: saddle stitch stapling, perfect binding - alignment of cover to text, alignment of tabs and consistency of tabs throughout entry.
      • Die-cutting (cleanliness of cut, anchor marks)
      • Technical difficulty in achieving a specific end result