The PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award brings annual recognition to industry suppliers for outstanding craftsmanship, creativity and service to distributors.
Eligibility, Deadlines And Entry Fee
*Please note eligibility requirements have changed.
- Competition is open to all PPAI member suppliers.
- All entries must be regular catalog items provided for sale between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2013
- Up to TWO (2) entries per supplier in a category.
- Items used strictly as random or speculative samples are ineligible.
- All entries must be postmarked no later than August 9, 2013.
- Entry fee and return shipping charges must be paid in full at time of submission.
Deadline for program entries:
Opens July 1, 2013
Closes August 9, 2013
Entry Fee: PPAI supplier members - $50 per entry
Submission Requirements And Instructions
- Determine the Category: Consider the entry you are submitting with the criteria required in the category. Judges will screen all entries to be sure they are in the correct category and will move them as necessary. No more than TWO entries per supplier company will be allowed in any category. Extra submissions will be disqualified
- Complete the online entry form.
- Program Write Up: A written explanation of the manufacturing, printing or specific special processes, the creativity involved and how it was used must be provided at time of submission.
a. Description must not exceed one (1) typed page in size 10 font.
b. Description must be detailed and concise.
c. Description should include special processes, designs, equipment, creativity, etc. that are important to the development and/or production of the entry.
- Two samples of each imprinted promotional product(s) must be submitted. Samples must be imprinted and properly identified. Each sample should be in perfect condition and not mounted, framed or in any way modified for entry presentation.
- Catalog, dates sales/price sheets, mailing piece or catalog page MUST be submitted with each entry. Entries submitted without the required material may be disqualified.
- Samples become the property of PPAI and will not be returned unless indicated during the entry submission and payment of $10 for handling, along with shipping account #, is received.
- Shipping:
PPAI Suppliers Achievement Competition
3125 Skyway Circle North
Irving, TX 75038-3526
Entrants are responsible for all shipment, postage, customs clearance and insuring valuable entries against loss or damage.
Categories
*Please note all Supplier Catalog submissions should be made into the Image Award Competition.
1. Client Sales & Marketing Aids – This category applies to packaged tools and examples that help a distributor sell to their end buyer with a focus on case studies and solution-based selling. Self-promo offers, direct mail literature and other collateral are an integral part of this competition. Must be end-buyer focused.
2. Distributor Sales & Marketing Aids – This category applies to kits that help distributors sell with samples and catalogs. These types of kits are suitable for showrooms and sales calls.
3. Most Creative New Entry for Promotional Event Use –
4. Most Creative New Entry Designed for Business Gift Use –
Scoring for Categories 1-4: Maximum of 40 Points
1-20 points – Functional aspects
1-10 points – Attractiveness and quality of items
1-10 points – General adaptability to specified use
5. Screen Printing on Textiles – Multi-color screen print on soft woven, knit or non-woven textiles utilizing traditional screen print methods; does not include digital print technology or transfers.
6. Special Effects or Multi-Media Decoration on Textiles – A combination of screen print, embroidery, embellishments, doming or other combinations that create a distinctive, dimensional appearance.
7. Digital Print on Textiles – Multi-color decoration utilizing digital print technology. MUST specify equipment utilized in this process.
8. Embroidery I – Under 10,000 stitches in a single design as determined by total stitch count
9. Embroidery II – More than 10,000 stitches in a single design as determined by total stitch count
10. Sublimation – Multi-color or spot color decorating achieved through the use of paper transfer process applied with heat.
11. Large Format Printing – Decoration on large substrates such as banners, table runners, booth graphics and signage.
12. Screen Print on Hard Surfaces – Multi-color screen print on hard surfaces such as plastic, metal, PVC or other hard substrates utilizing traditional screen print methods; does not include digital print technology.
13. Digital Print on Hard Surfaces - Multi-color decoration on hard surfaces such as plastic, metal, PVC or other hard substances. MUST specify equipment utilized in the process.
14. Foil Stamping – The use of foil/film to decorate or duplicate logos or messaging; applied to paper, plastic, poly or metal.
15. Pad Printing – Multi-color decorating applied to curved, concave or uneven surface utilizing pad print technology; does not include traditional flat screen print applications.
16. Offset Process – Multi-color printing via off-set versus direct print technology typically applied to paper.
17. Variable Data Print – The application which allows for “one-off” personalization or other variable data in print applications.
Scoring for Categories 5-17: Maximum of 40 Points
1-10 points – Sharpness of general imprint, line drawings, halftones, etc.
1-15 points – The material imprinted and the difficulty involved
1-10 points – Quality of register, and/or clarity, and/or neatness of impression
1-5 points – Overall visual impact
18. Etching-Engraving-Laser – Decoration via one of these three technologies applied to metal, crystal, glass, wood, or other surfaces. Method MUST be specified on entry.
19. Castings – traditional decoration utilizing carved cavity or die to achieve fine detail and copy in metal.
20. Metal Striking – Traditional decorating method using dies and pressure to achieve fine detail and copy in metal.
21. PVC Patch or Product – Multi-dimensional decoration achieved through the use of PVC in poured, multi-color application applied to create a product or as a decoration on a product.
Scoring for Categories 18-21: Maximum of 40 Points
1-10 points – Intricacy of design and the degree of difficulty involved in executing it
1-10 points – Degree of difficulty in casting, finishing & assembly material
1-10 points – Free of nicks, pits, scratches, and other surface imperfections
1-10 points – Overall visual impact
22. Special Applications – To include duplication of bar codes, QR codes, full wrap, etc. and other uncategorized decoration methods.
23. Dome – A decorating process utilizing epoxy applied via pre-fab, hand or mechanized pour or application of material over image to create a product or as a decoration on a product.
24. Combination of Processes – A combination of decorating methods that deliver a different decorating method not achieved with a single process.
25. Special Processes – Decoration methods not otherwise categorized. Including embossing, de-bossing, weaving, flexography, letterpress, holograms, etc. Processes MUST be specified in submission process.
Scoring for Categories 22-25: Maximum of 40 Points
1-10 points – Sharpness of detail
1-10 points – The material used and the difficulty involved
1-10 points – Quality, clarity and neatness of design/impression
1-10 points – Overall visual impact
26. Customized Non-Catalog Product Under $25 – Development of a completely custom product generated as a result of end-client need with a client sale price of under $25 per unit.
27. Customized Non-Catalog Product $25 & Up – Development of a completely custom product generated as a result of end-client need with a client sale price of $25 or more per unit.
28. Mascot/Character or Persona Product – Custom development of three-dimensional product.
29. Most Creative Promotional Product Developed as a Result of a Supplier/Distributor Collaboration – The product must be designed from an idea or concept developed as a result of distributor opportunity. Letter from distributor must confirm the creative information provided, the client need and results. Detailed explanation MUST BE provided. Both supplier and distributor must be PPAI members in good standing. Both the supplier and distributor will received recognition during the PPAI Awards Presentation.
30. Customized Retail Branded Product/Packaging - Creative decoration of retail product not traditionally designed to be decorated or to carry a message. May also include custom designed or decorated packaging to hold a retail brand product. This category is for retail branded products only.
Scoring for Categories 26-30: Maximum of 40 Points
1-15 points – Originality/creativity
1-10 points – Intricacy of design and degree of difficulty involved
1-10 points – Quality of register, and/or clarity, and/or neatness of impression
1-5 points – Overall visual impact
Judging
A judging panel made up of outside experts and the Awards & Recognition Action Group will judge each category based on the criteria and points values listed above. All submitted entries are judged individually based on how well they deliver the required elements; member companies do not compete against each other but earn points solely on the merit of their own entry.
Questions? Contact PPAI Awards & Recognition at Awards@ppai.org or 972-258-3070.
Click here to submit a Suppliers Achievement entry.
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