The FESPA Awards programme, now in its 30th year, showcased innovative and inspirational entries with no exception to the high standards set by the previous Awards programmes. The hundreds of global entries were judged by industry experts who in their distinguished careers have contributed significant advances to the techniques and technology across the industry. The expert judges who rose to the challenge of short listing the most exceptional entries which were in turn put forward for the People's Choice Award voted for by the public. Winners were announced at the sumptuous FESPA Awards Celebration Dinner on 22nd May, held alongside FESPA Digital 2014. This year's categories were fewer in number allowing for more scope for interpretation, presenting an opportunity for both established industry professionals and newcomers to demonstrate their creativity and technical expertise in their field.
Congratulations to Marvel Graphic Studio, presented with both Gold and Silver in the category of Fine Art Print of the Year, judged by Professor John Stephens, former Dean of the London College of Communication and Josep Tobella, President of FESPA Espana. Professor Stephens described the Gold entry as "a really fine example of fine art screen printing. First class!" Mr Tobella enthused that the work was "complex and well finished," with both judges praising the good use of colour effects in the Silver entry. Keetronics, was presented with Bronze for its Printed Electronic Board in the category of Functional Print of the Year, judged by Neil de Greef, Owner of Screenline Printhouse, South Africa, and Jacek Stencil, PASJA, Poland. Mr de Greef described the work as "highly functional" with a "Good registrar."
Pramukh Embroidery, represented by Sameer Jhansari, was presented with Bronze in the category of Garment Decoration of the Year, judged by Sarah Sowers, Innovation Manager for NikeID, USA, Professor Marc Van Parys Professor of the University College Ghent, Belgium, and Mark Gervais, screen printing expert and General Manager of Ningbo Shenzhou Knitting Co., LTD, China's largest vertical knitwear manufacture. Mr Gervais praised the "superb execution of layered high density especially the various heights to give the illusion of depth, contrast, contour and detail." Perfect Packaging, was presented with Bronze in the category of Special Effects Print of the Year, judged by Erwin Deproost, Design Operations Manager for Philips BG, and Jacek Stencil, founder of PASJA.
