European Digital Press Association awards held at drupa

The European Digital Press Association held its sixth annual gala awards at drupa on May 8. Accolades were awarded for the most innovative printers, finishing products, software and consumables launched in the print industry during 2011/ 2012.

The EDP Awards are judged by an independent international panel. Eighteen categories were awarded this year out of a possible 26, demonstrating that the technical committee has strict guidelines upon which to make final award recommendations to the EDP Board for final approval.

Chris Cooke, 2011 president of the EDP, commented: ‘The 18 worthy winners have demonstrated that by listening to their customers and focusing investment in research and development they can continue to innovate to bring products to market that truly make a difference to their customers businesses and the market as a whole.’

The 2012 EDP Award winners are:

Best Wide Format Roll to Roll Printer – up to 1.6m wide
Epson SureColor SC-S30600

Best Wide Format Roll to Roll Printer – 1.6m wide +
HP Designjet L28500

Best Wide Format Textile Printer
Mimaki TS500-1800A

Best Wide Format Imaging Printer
Agfa M-Press Leopard

Best Hybrid Printer Sub-200k Euro
Durst Omega 1 Plus

Best Hybrid Printer 200k+ Euro
EFI Vutek GS3250LX

EDP Technical Committee Award
Barbieri Electronic Spectro Pad

Best Production Cut-Sheet Printer – Light Production
Xerox DocuColor 8080

Best Production Cut-Sheet Printer – High Production
Oce Varioprint DP Line

Best Web-Fed Printer
Xerox CiPress 500

Best Labeling Solution
EFI Jetrion 4900UV

Best Specialist Printing Solution
InkTec Jetrix 2513FRQ

Best Environmental Printing Solution
Mimaki JV-400LX Series

Best Environmental Substrate
Antalis DigiGreen

Best Innovative Substrate
Neschen Solvoclear Easy Protect

Best Web-based Software Product
Optimus Cloud

Best Wide Format Software Solution
SA International Pixel Blaster

Best Wide Format Finishing Device
Zund S3 Cutter

At the ceremony, Manuel Mataré, the director of digi:media and drupa, said: ‘This is the second time we have held the EDP Awards at drupa and it has quickly become a drupa tradition. This is a demonstration of the high regard we hold the EDP and their annual Awards for Innovation. We congratulate all the winners and shortlisted entries.’

The newly elected EDP Association president, Rudolf Messer, was introduced at the ceremony and commented: ‘We are so pleased to have held the sixth annual EDP Awards in partnership with drupa this year. We have seen for the first time in many years new print engines that are not quite ready for production, yet manufacturers are not afraid of showing what is to come, what lies ahead for 2013, 2014 and beyond. To be able to see this product pipeline is also very exciting for us at the EDP and for our readership and the result is clearly demonstrated that we have an industry that is continually innovating, growing, delivering and very confident of the future.’

Pictured: The newly elected EDP Association president, Rudolf Messer, was introduced at the ceremony

Click here for more stories about the European Digital Press Association on L&L.com.