Sign & Graphics | Bi Monthly Publication of Signage Industry in India

The judges who conducted the third Inca Digital Excellence Awards (IDEAs) were Vince Cahill, president, VCE Solutions; John Charnock, director, PR-INT; Barney Cox, consultant and Marco Boer, senior analyst and consultant to the digital printing industry. They were tasked to select outstanding efforts from an exceptional group of entries submitted from around the world. Entries in each of the categories were selected on the basis of originality of the job, complexity of the substrate, ability to overcome design and concept challenges, success of producing something special, benefits to the client, and overall visual and structural impression. The standard of entries was extremely high from Inca printer users producing innovative products that incorporated different materials to meet the customers’ demanding specifications. The flexibility of Inca’s technology was evident with the winning companies producing eye-catching window display schemes, large exhibition booth graphics, unique interactive display units, and decorative children’s play storage. Each category winner received an Inca IDEAs trophy and a VIP trip to Munich to attend FESPA and celebrate their award. The winner of the Interactive Display category also received a Variable Display Solution supplied by Caldera.

The IDEAs 2014 winners

3D POS

Kolorcraft (UK): For the New Look Spring 2013 Window Scheme, Kolorcraft was honoured as this UK company created to complement the press and in-store advertising campaign. Their window display included decorative elements with changeable graphics to match seasonal trends. Made from a combination of 10 mm and 18 mm honeycomb board, display board, boxboard and polypropylene, and printed on an Inca Onset S40, all units were supplied flat packed to store with easily-assembled slot-together pieces.

Judges’ comments: “This is a beautiful looking and executed job. Top marks.” And: “Shows what clever print can do.”

Interactive Display

Smurfit Kappa Display (Ireland): This Irish company won the Interactive Display accolade for the innovative Absolut Butik display unit that featured an interactive element with phone/tablet application. The unit was created using 16 mm Re-board printed on an Inca Onset S40i, which was then constructed with built-in LED lighting strips.

Judge’s comment: “Good use of print, materials, lighting and a tablet.”

Special Award for Creativity

Color Ink Inc (USA): Color Ink was honoured for its replica bobsled designed for Century 21 Realty, sponsors of the US bobsled team, to be displayed during the 2014 Winter Olympics. Created from lightweight 40 mm White Styrene and 1 inch Ultraboard printed on an Inca Onset Q40i, the full-scale realistic looking bobsleds had to be compact for shipping purposes, easy to assemble and lightweight.

Judges’ comments: “Unique design, complicated specs.” And: “Impressive.”

Product Decoration & Unique Designs

Artwork Digital (Brazil): School costumes and props storage boxes to be used in students’ ecology and environment lessons were the inputs for which Artwork Digital from Brazil bagged this award. Created from 16 mm Re-board printed on an Inca Onset S20, the brightly decorated boxes had to be produced at low cost using eco-smart substrates and inks.

Judges’ comments: “Thinking inside and outside the box.” And: “Great use of product decoration showing Inca isn’t just for cardboard and paper.”

Display Graphics

Electroprint (Morocco): Bagged the award for a large, quality exhibition booth built in the style of a small medieval fortified city with typical Moroccan architecture. Printed on 16 mm Re-board on an Inca Columbia Turbo, all parts were produced in less than two days and designed to be installed in less than one day with minimum fixings.

Judge’s comment: “Wow, truly impressive amount of print. Full marks for effort and ambition.”