LFP - Large-Format-Printing
German Printers Impress Judges at 2009 FESPA Digital Print Awards
Monday 15. June 2009 - German printers made an impact at the 2009 FESPA Digital Print Awards, with Stiefel Digitalprint GmbH winning the Exterior Category and the coveted Platinum Award, whilst two other German companies were recognised for their impressive Textile Category entries.
The competition was open to printers from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and attracted more than 200 entries, which were evaluated by an independent jury. The winners were announced on the eve of the FESPA Digital 2009 exhibition (12 – 14th May 2009) in Amsterdam. One winner and one runner-up were selected for each of the six categories, and an additional 11 entries were commended by the jury.
Stiefel Digitalprint GmbH of Lenting, Bavaria was singled out in the Exterior Category and won the competitions overall Platinum Award for its digitally printed banner Bild Rhinefall, depicting Swiss artist Beat Toniolos artwork of the unity of the European countries taking part in the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship. Printed using the HP/NUR Expedio 5000 using UV- inks, a key challenge of the project was the banner tailoring. It needed to be fixed tightly enough to demonstrate the motif free of any creases, and it needed to be able to float on water. Stiefel Digitalprint GmbH chose a 300gsm wide-meshed substrate, flexible enough to float and navigate through the whitewater of the Rhinefall basin, Europes largest waterfall. The company also produced special fixtures on uniquely designed airbags, ensuring the banner would stay afloat and remain firmly fixed.
Niggemeyer Bildproduktion GmbH & Co KG of Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia was runner-up in the Textile Category for its Upgrade Office Atmosphere project. Printed using the Roland SJ 1045 EX printer on polyester fabric (200gr.), the 150 metre by 1.9 metre digital textile prints of panoramic views decorate client BP British Petroleum/ARALs office space. With only one week to complete the project, Niggemeyer Bildproduktions team worked nights to install the prints to minimise the impact on the clients business. Along with the textile print installations, the company also installed 12 backlit prints of blue sky on the office ceilings.
Munich-based Ormo Print GmbH received a commendation for its Textile Category entry Glass Painting for client Gerlinde Mader. Printed on a modified Roland printer, Muchcolours Practica 64, Ormo Print digitally printed original canvas paintings onto glass.
Commenting on the German printers success, Nigel Steffens, FESPA CEO, said: “Year on year, the response that we receive from German printers at the FESPA Digital Print Awards never fails to impress. Overall, Germany had the highest number of submissions, totaling nearly a quarter of all entries. Last year, we saw German printers win two award categories and receive three commendations overall, so its great to see them continue producing high quality and creative solutions for their customers. We look forward to seeing this trend continue at the next FESPA Digital Print Awards, particularly as FESPA Digital 2011 comes to Germanys media city Hamburg in May 2011.”