Fespa launches 2010 awards

Fespa has launched its 2010 awards scheme and put an exhibition of the entries at the heart of the show.

At the 2010 awards, there will be revised categories and new 'best in show' cash prizes, as well as a people's choice award, which visitors to the Munich show will vote for.

"The idea is to highlight innovation and to show the best of what screen and digital printing can do," according to Fespa chief executive Nigel Steffens.

Award entries will be displayed in the entrance area of the exhibition, so that visitors can view them as they enter the halls and pick up a voting form.

 "The people's choice at the Fespa Digital Awards worked so well at the show in Amsterdam last year that we decided to introduce it at the Münich event this year," Steffens said.

Of the 22 categories in the awards, 16 are for screen printing, including four textile and four industrial ones, while the remaining six are for digitally produced work.

"We've changed the categories to reflect the evolution of the market, to include more digital printing and more special effects," he added.

A total pot of €5,000 (£4,300) will be split between the winners, with a €3,000 prize for the judges' choice of 'best in show', a €1,000 runner-up and €1,000 for the 'peoples' choice' award.

All categories are open to members of Fespa associations in Europe and individual Fespa members. In addition, the industrial categories are open for industrial inplant printers.

Entry for the awards is open now with entry kits available in English, French, German and Spanish. Registration closes on 19 May.

For more information on the awards and entry kits, visit www.fespa2010.com.