The Dubai International Print Award (DIPA) took place at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai with a record attendance of more than 500 printing industry professionals.
Packaging, which debuted as a sector in last year’s awards, was represented by the two categories of boxes and flexo narrow web.
In the boxes category, Dubai-based Power Print won Gold. Delta Printing Press LLC, also based in Dubai, took the Silver award, while Sharjah-based Medad Printing & Packaging landed the Bronze trophy.
In the flexo printing category, Saudi Arabia-based Raqam Intl Label & Ribbons Factory won the Gold and Lebanon-based El Yaman Group was awarded Silver. From the UAE, Kimoha Entrepreneurs won the Bronze.
Entries in the DIPA’s packaging categories increased on last year’s edition and are expected to rise again with the expansion of the region’s packaging sector.
Under the Patronage of H. H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, with the collaboration of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and organised by the DCCI’s Printing & Publishing Group (PPG), the awards were held on 9 April 2013.
Eight jury members deliberated on more than 400 entries from eight countries to pick 77 winners across 26 categories. In total, 26 gold, 26 silver and 25 bronze trophies were awarded.
“We congratulate all of the winners for their outstanding work and contribution within the printing and publishing industry,” said Mr Mazen Haj, chairman of the Printing and Publishing Group.
“We had an impressive number of high quality entries this year, and I would especially like to thank all of the judges, who had a tough task in selecting our winners, as all entries were worthy of recognition.”
DIPA 2013 saw a significant increase in the number of competing companies, with 46 printing houses and six new companies enrolled for the first time.
The offset printing categories included: flyers, POS material, posters, magazines, books, annual reports, cards, calendars, brochures, catalogues, directories, boxes, newspapers, newsletter, handcraft jobs, own printed material and innovation.
Digital printing awards now feature seven categories: POS material, posters, annual reports, cards, brochures, catalogues, calendars and flyers – direct mail.
DIPA also featured categories for narrow web and flat bed digital inkjet, for POSM free-standing units.
The personality of the year award went to Ahmad Al Shaikh, managing director of Modern Printing Press and former chairman of the Printing and Publishing Group.
In line with UAE government policy, the PPG aims to help the country become a leader in the sector by encouraging the printing, publishing and packaging industries to expand to markets across the Middle East and to Africa and Europe.
The Dubai International Print Awards 2013 was sponsored by Heidelberg as Gold Sponsors and Khaleej Times as Media Partner.
Canon, Giffin Graphics, Prestige Graphics, PrintWeek, Gulf Print & Pack (Tarsus Group) and Xerox Emirates were Silver Sponsors. Age Graphics, Gimpex, Kodak, Nilpeter, Fujifilm and Packaging MEA participated as Bronze Sponsors.
Judging DIPA
The Printing and Publishing Group (PPG) brought eight international figures to Dubai to help judge this year’s DIPA.
The jury included: Nicholas R Jung, consultant in printing technology and education (head judge); Karl Kowalczyk, consultant, printing technology; Daniel Siegel, UPM Kymmene Sales GmbH, senior manager technical sales Central Europe; Hemant Ranadive, FCBULKA India, general manager, Production Services; Dr Eduard Neufeld Fogra Graphic Technology Research Association, institute director and Dr Saad Aldossary, consultant and trainer of printing technology (KSA).
Overall, the entries were of much higher quality than in previous years, said the judges.
Nicholas Jung, head judge for the event, said: “print industry can survive the competition put forth by other media by delivering innovative designs, through cost effective production and maintaining high quality prints. The award is unique because it is the only print award in the GCC and has effectively positioned itself as the definitive platform from which to gauge the quality and excellence of the region’s printing and publishing industry, and has done this for the seventh consecutive year”.