FINAT extends Awards entry deadline to help busy printers

Time is running out for label printers to compete for their industry’s European Blue Riband awards which could lead them to world triumph later this year.

But shortage of time is one reason why some printers are leaving it to the last minute to submit their entries for FINAT’s annual Label Awards.

The competition organizer, Tony White, said: ‘I do know many printers are so busy with booming business that they are finding it difficult to find the time to collate and submit their entries. So to encourage them to make the effort, we are extending the closing deadline until the eve of the judging on March 26.’

The FINAT award winners, announced at its annual Congress being held this year in Berlin on May 31 and June 1, have their prize winning entries submitted for the World Label Awards which are decided at Labelexpo, being held this year in September in Brussels.

Mr White, who has been judging label winners for the last 16 years and is chairman of FINAT’s Awards committee, also believes some printers also need their memories jogging to recall what products could be eligible. ‘The qualifying factor is that the entries must have been produced between January and December 2006 and I know busy printers can sometimes forget potential winners they may have printed up to 15 months ago…and need a gentle reminder.’

There are four sections to the competition, each with its own sub-categories, and full details are on the FINAT website at www.finat.com

A panel of four judges, all industry experts, will make their choices at FINAT’s Hague headquarters on March 26 but the results will be a closely guarded secret until the Congress event.

Mr White added: ‘The Award rewards are well worth entering for. It gives the entrants positive exposure and it is highly likely that winning entries will attract new business on a global scale.’