There’s a prevalent attitude within the industry that entering awards like the Printing Industry Craftsmanship Awards (PICA) and National Print Awards (NPA), is a pursuit for the few – a luxury which delivers few benefits but the shiny medal it adds to the entry foyer of the business.

Those who enter regularly, however, say that their involvement delivers real business benefits which cannot be emulated in any other way – and they are unanimous in their opinion that the time and effort of entering each year is more than outweighed by the benefits, whether their entries win a gong or not.

“Over the years, involvement in Awards has become part of our mindset,” says Frank Hilliard from Eastern Press, which has won a number of awards over recent years at both a State and national level.

“We’re always on the lookout for work we think is of the highest standard and take time to set aside some copies to enter into PICA,” he says.

“Whenever we do that, it gives everyone who has been involved a lift – they take pride in what they do and seeing their skill and effort recognised by entering one of their jobs in PICA gives them a real sense of satisfaction.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Tania Mathias from Fantastik Labels, who says “Just the process of identifying one of our jobs as being of what we consider ‘Award standard’ has the effective of inspiring the team and lifting everyone to the next level on every job they do.”

Often, says Mathias, jobs are identified as having Awards potential before it’s printed. “This gives us the opportunity to encourage our staff to take a more creative and innovative approach during production,” she says.

“In fact, one of the major benefits for us of entering PICA is that it enables us to get our team working together on a project which is not purely production-based.

“It’s something which takes the focus off the normal ‘day to day’ issues like deadlines, and refocuses everyone on excellence.”

The pride of achievement spills over into attitudes about the company, not only from without – where the moniker ‘Award Winning Printer’ leaves no room for doubts about quality – but also from within where pride and job satisfaction have an enormous impact on morale.

“There’s nothing more satisfying for people involved in print than to be a part of an award-winning job,” says Hilliard

“Our staff take pride in working for what they see as an award winning company and that affects their personal commitment and inspires them to consistently lift their own standards and performance. And it creates a really good atmosphere around the place.”

Of course, actually winning awards is always a good look with customers, and both Hilliard and Mathias say the Awards are important in terms of marketing their businesses and building strong customer relationships.

“Of course, winning awards is always good for clients – it’s a recognition both of what they do and what we do,” says Hilliard. “Our success in PICA has really helped us consolidate and strengthen relationships with clients over the years and it gives us an important edge in marketing and promoting Eastern Press.”

Mathias agrees, saying that when you win, there is the ‘additional benefit’ of the recognition it provides, not only within the industry – something which is of particular importance to Fantastik as they do a lot of trade work – but also with clients.

“Winning a PICA helps you stand out from the competition and gives you a real competitive edge,” she adds. “And making yourself look good to your clients? That never hurts!”

Entry in this year’s PICA Victoria competition is open to jobs printed in Victoria between September 2009 and August 2010 and must be received at Printing Industries in Mulgrave by close of business on Tuesday, 17 August 2010.

Full category details, entry forms for the Awards and information about the Presentation Dinner on 15 October at Melbourne’s Sofitel on Collins, can be found at www.picavic.com.au