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A Sneak PEAK

During the first week of June this year, throngs of people crowded around stunning displays of print applications, hoping to get a glimpse of what’s new in the marketplace. What did they find? Cross-media campaigns, hybrid projects involving inkjet (especially sophisticated mail projects) and eco-friendly everything.
I, too, was one of the curious, and armed myself with a notebook and pen to watch the print industry transform before my eyes. But while many of my industry peers strolled the aisles of drupa that week in Dusseldorf, Germany, I observed the judging of the annual PEAK Awards, which clearly echo print industry trends.

We saw the fanciest, foil-stamped prime labels in stunning, affordable color and played with Super Bowl-themed pURL campaigns. We were awash in promotional products, lenticular covers, and large-format digital printing. Judges created new categories and slashed outdated ideas. They cast a critical eye towards greenwashing hype and postal blunders, but many entries were sought-after souvenirs at the end of the day.

“I’ve judged five different competitions in the print industry,” said John Leininger, professor in the Department of Graphic Communications at Clemson University, S.C., “and these printers and designers really stood out.” Ultimately, the judges awarded 42 Grand Awards, 76 Awards of Excellence, 14 Special Recognitions and innumerable “wows” and “oohs.” Once again, the PEAK entrants proved themselves part of an elite group of problem-solvers. In this competition, printing craftsmanship is expected, but only the most innovative solutions rise to the top.

One of the new PEAK categories, Green Solutions, inspired us to follow the story of green certifications and qualifications in the print industry. Turn to page 77 to read about what print buyers are looking for and the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, to be unveiled this month. And check out our story on “Getting Your Green Credentials,” beginning on page 85.

Flipping through the following pages, you’ll find a treasure trove of products you can sell, and stories about how the winners developed their solutions. You’ll also find a record of the most innovative projects in print last year, and a hint at where we’re headed.

Rebecca Trela
Managing Editor
rtrela@psda.org

Editor’s Note: The PEAK Awards are in no way associated with, endorsed by or otherwise sponsored by PEAK Technologies Inc. PEAK Technologies and the company’s PEAK logo are registered trademarks of PEAK Technologies Inc.

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