PIA MidAmerica’s Graphic Excellence Competition (GraphEx) was created in 1989 to recognize the outstanding abilities of print producers to transform paper and ink into outstanding forms of communication. Since the industry is comprised of very diverse companies, the competition has over 300 categories in three different divisions. The categories reflect products such as: annual reports, brochures, letterheads, newsletters, direct marketing, presentation folders, cross media campaigns, and much, much more. Divisions are determined by size of firm. Division I – Small Firm (1-20 employees); Division II – Medium Firm (21-100 employees); and Division III – Large Firm (101+ employees).
GRAPHEX AWARDS 2021
CONGRATULATIONS!
PIA MidAmerica hosts the annual Graphic Excellence Awards (GraphEx) competition to recognize our industry’s outstanding technical achievements in innovation and print production. Hundreds of entries are submitted each year in an array of categories including brochures, magazines, calendars, campaigns, packaging and much more. Our independent judges select the extraordinary pieces in the competition to be recognized for Best of Show, Best of Division, Specialty, Best of Category awards and Awards of Recognition.
In addition, we want to recognize businesses and technical professionals who make up one of the industry’s largest regional trade associations in the United States. These professionals and award-winning companies demonstrate outstanding technical capabilities in print and finishing techniques. Distinguished industry leaders are recognized with Print Champion, Creative Print Champion and Executive of the Year honors. Join me in congratulating all the winners on their outstanding contributions that have made a positive impact on our region.
Best,
2020/21 EXECUTIVES OF THE YEAR
Loretta Nichols
Loretta Nichols spent 35 years in the graphic arts industry. In 1984 she started her business, L&J Graphics with a silent partner and served the Kansas City market setting type for a wide variety of printing companies. She was the first and only company to offer mobile typesetting where she traveled from site to site with her typesetting equipment in an RV. Loretta participated in Ad Club and later joined PIA of the Heartland where she would go on to serve as chairperson. Later her company merged with Ben Sharp and became LJS Graphics. In 2003 she successfully sold her business to Aspen Products and began inspiring others with the love she had for the industry serving as Regional Director of Kansas and Missouri for PIA MidAmerica. Loretta retired in 2014. She passed away from cancer in September 2019.
Robert Reid
Vox Printing
Robert is Vice President of Operations for Vox Printing and proud to be a part of a company that has developed a culture to allow them to win, for the last 13 years, PIA’s Best Workplace Award and Oklahoma’s Best Places to Work. He earned a management and marketing degree from Oklahoma State University in 3 years, proving Robert does not like inefficiencies. After college Robert joined Vox Printing full time in 1992 and has led Vox’s 60 employees on their continuous improvement journey and implementation of Lean tools. His dissatisfaction with process inefficiencies is both legendary and at times exhausting to those who know him. When he’s not serving on vo-tech boards to improve Graphic Arts education and speaking at Continuous Improvement conferences, he’s dedicated to church service, helping his son’s Boy Scout Troop and his family.
2020 PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR
2020/21 EHS PROFESSIONAL
Chad Vadnais
Orora Visual
Chad is Director of Environmental, Health & Safety and Facilities Engineering for Orora Visual, where he’s worked the past three years. He has more than 25 years of experience in EHS in industries ranging from electronics and tile manufacturing to printing. Chad maintains multiple safety certifications and takes pride in being an outside-the-box thinker, coming up with new or off-the-wall ideas on how to improve upon operations. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys being around others.
2020/21 PRINT CHAMPION KS/MO
Tom Latendresse
J&J Printing
Tom Latendresse has spent the past 33 years in the printing industry: 23 years in commercial print and 10 years in print finishing & enhancements. He is known in the industry for solving difficult projects and offering viable solutions for a successful execution of the finished product. He has consulted with brand owners and commercial printers around the country to incorporate high-visibility enhancements into successful packaging and marketing campaigns. His unique ability to educate clients on creating masterpieces for print production has earned J&J Printing numerous awards, including the prestigious Premier Print “Benny” award.
2020/21 PRINT CHAMPION OK/TX
Cindy Pettit
Clampitt Paper
Cindy has been in Dallas for 29 years. She moved from Georgia-Pacific in Atlanta to be a specification rep with Butler Paper. After a few years, she tried a new path and sold print for 5 years, but her passion was paper after gaining so much respect for the printing side. She spent 7 years with Olmsted-Kirk, and the last 12 years have been with Clampitt Paper in business development and sales. She has volunteered with the Dallas Society of Visual Communications (DSVC) for 19 years, and believes in the power of print and paper, as well as having fun along the way.
2020/21 CREATIVE PRINT CHAMPION KS/MO
Megan McDonnell
Burns & McDonnell
Megan McDonnell began her career as a lead graphic designer and continued providing creative solutions for clients within the engineering and construction industry for more than a decade. Her background in design led her to pursue opportunities in production management. Having a strong background in design has provided a unique perspective in the print realm. She enjoys bringing visions to life and translating digital design to tangible experiences.
2020/21 CREATIVE PRINT CHAMPION OK/TX
Tom Nynas
Perennials and Sutherland
Originally from frigid, wonderfully cold Minnesota, Tom Nynas moved to Dallas after graduating from Atlanta’s Creative Circus and the University of Minnesota. Time spent within large and small advertising agencies prepared him for his current gig as the creative director of Perennials and Sutherland, LLC. He has helped build distinguished and noticeable voices for the company’s brands, which specialize in luxury outdoor furniture and performance textiles. He’s been honored to have his work featured in nearly every national and international design and advertising competition. Outside of the office, he’s a husband and the father of two sons.
2021 CUSTOMER SERVICE PROFESSIONAL KS/MO
Nick Becchina
Alpine Litho-Graphics
“Nick has done a wonderful job throughout the pandemic … He has been able to pull all the pieces together with outstanding follow-through.”
2021 CUSTOMER SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OK/TX
Rachelle Herring
Capital Printing
“Rachelle is excellent with details, catching pitfalls and coordinating projects from estimate to delivery.”
2021 HR PROFESSIONAL KS/MO
Stephanie Rogge
Trabon
“Stephanie has always been a great asset to Trabon but during a COVID year all of those attributes that make her stand out have shined even brighter.”
2021 HR PROFESSIONAL OK/TX
Robin Frantz
ColorDynamics
“Robin works hard to keep all employees informed, implement changes … and keep everyone safe.”
2021 PRODUCTION PROFESSIONAL KS/MO
Pat Kierl
Harvest Graphics
“No one knows and loves production more than Pat. He settles for nothing but the best quality for Harvest’s customers.”
2021 PRODUCTION PROFESSIONAL OK/TX
Pete Mendoza
JGX Group
“Pete is very organized and keeps his work and equipment well maintained. He’s ready and willing to assist everyone one the team and always steps up to help out.”
2021 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL KS/MO
Scott Bergeron
Watkins Lithographic, Inc
“On the most stressful days … Scott is always even-keeled, never using a harsh tone or treating others disrespectfully. At the end of the day, somehow, he gets all of the tasks done.”
2021 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OK/TX
Brady Hochstein
Cenveo
“Brady has the ability to solve complex client problems with a unique leadership style. He does so personally and professionally by serving customers and the community through the Chamber of Commerce, American Advertising Federation and Elevate Amarillo.”
2021 OUTSTANDING TEAM KS/MO
Kathy Franklin, Mike Hipkiss, Drazic Hipkiss, Danna Helm
Raven Printing
“Despite the hurdles of operating a completely new department, under some of the most pressing deadlines we’ve ever encountered, this four-person team was able to meet every drop date and reached a company record of digitally printing and mailing more than 400,000 pieces of political mail in the month of October in addition to their regular monthly workload.”
2021 OUTSTANDING TEAM OK/TX
David Howard, Jim Kizer, Nicki Macfarlane, Sarah Perez
ProGraphix
“Throughout the hardships of the past year this team banded together (even while working remotely). They crafted innovative solutions to unique problems, and improved the level of service and offerings provided making customers feel well supported.”
BEST OF SHOW
PLATINUM
Primary Color
Point-of-Purchase Clock Display
Custom-designed POP Display directly printed onto 200lb E Flute corrugate using a Wide-Format Gandy Digital Dominator. Multiple piece assembly with a battery-operated swinging pendulum.
GOLD
Walsworth
Grand 1984 Opera House Book
Smyth-sewn hardcover book with hot foil embossed detail. Produced on a full-color Heidelberg offset using Kolbus Casing-In.
SILVER
Blanks Printing and
Digital Solutions
University Direct Mail Flipbook
Flipbook brochure printed full-color offset with spot UV coating on C1S Tango and finished on BOBST die cutter.
BRONZE
NextPage
UMB Debit/Credit Card Carriers
High-end card carrier with multiple processes and pieces, produced on 120lb Pike Black Cover with foil, die-cut finishing and hand assembly.
BEST OF KANSAS / MISSOURI
PLATINUM
Herff Jones
Herff Jones 100 Year Anniversary Yearbook
Full-color offset yearbook with a quarter-bound cover featuring Black Silktouch and Metallic Chrome with black silkscreen ink and nickel foil. Endsheets on Carrara White Linen. Small HJ 100 Pin added to the flap. Produced on XL106 Heidelberg, binding with Heidelberg StahlFolder, Muller Martini Collator, Astro 180 Sewer, KM 600 Binder and the BF-530 Kolbus Casing-In Line.
GOLD
TRABON
Friendsview Brochure & Inserts
Pocket folder with saddle-stitched inserts and fly sheets. Cover produced on 100lb uncoated Environment Raw Grocer Kraft. Fly sheets printed on 29lb Glama Natural Clear with two hits of INX opaque white ink and one hit of silver on the backside of the sheet to allow for printing. Text pages printed on 100lb Sterling Premium Silk. Produced on Komori GL640 and Heidelberg Easymatrix die-cutter. Inserts printed on HP Indigo 7900.
SILVER
J&J Printing
Allianz Field Book
Hard-cover book printed on a Ryobi 750 G LED UV Press using PMC 100lb Gloss text, 80lb Gloss cover with INX inks and flood UV coating.
BRONZE
H&H Color
Edge Wood Float Block
Image printed with Epson SureColor F6370 using Epson DS Transfer photo paper and transferred to aluminum sheet via dye sublimation. Image floated on a reclaimed wood block.
BEST OF REGIONAL OKLAHOMA / TEXAS
CENTRAL TEXAS — PLATINUM
360 Press Solutions
Austin Studio Tour Book
Perfect-bound book printed in four colors produced on 8-color Heidelberg offset press for client hosting virtual art tour.
CENTRAL TEXAS — GOLD
Sunset Press
Eddie Medical Kit
Custom engineered kit with 14 individual parts including pull tab. Produced on six-color Heidelberg 74 coater/perfector using 18pt C2S Ancora, 100lb Classic Woodgrain Patriot Blue cover, 20pt C1S Ancora, 14pt C1S, 12pt C1S Kallima and 18pt C2S Ancora.
CENTRAL TEXAS — SILVER
Horizon Printing
Art Dinner 2020
Multi-panel announcement with first and last panel both containing two panels glued together to increase thickness. Color and foil on first panel precisely registered. Produced in four colors and UV spot on a six-color Mitsubishi Diamond UV press using 100lb Flo Dull cover.
CENTRAL TEXAS — BRONZE
Capital Printing / Lindenmeyr Munroe
The Friendliest Envelope Guide
Envelope guide produced on a Komori Lithrone 5 G40 H UV, Holm JetPress and foil-stamped on Kluge EHD using API Platinum Gold Foil. Two spot colors used on Mohawk Curious Metallics Virtual Pearl 89lb cover and Mohawk Strathmore Wove Blazer Blue.
BEST OF WEST TEXAS
Slate Group
University Acceptance Letter
Hand-assembled and custom die-cut self mailer with perforated tear open panel produced on GL540 Komori using 100lb gloss cover, reticulating varnish and spot UV.
DIVISION I
PLATINUM
Sunset Press, Inc.
Mosie Baby Fertility Kit
Packaging kit re-engineered to house components more efficiently for the end-user. Produced on a Heidelberg 74 using Sun Chemical Ink. Paper, sleeve and tray printed on 24pt. C1S Ancora and insert printed on 18pt. C2S Ancora.
GOLD
J&J Printing
Bio-Microbics Product Brochure
Pull-tab waterfall brochure with a seven-panel company overview. Produced on Ryobi 750G LED offset press using 100lb Cougar cover with full-color and aqueous coating on both sides.
SILVER
Largeprinting.com
Royals Fanfest Wall
10’x30’ Standalone display. Printed on B-Flute corrugate with direct UV ink. Produced using Agfa Jeti Tauro and Kongsberg XP. Easy assembly using ratchet rivets and Christmas tree clips, creating a sturdy, low-cost, single-use, eco-friendly display.
BRONZE
MetroVCS
High Ground Advisors and Trust Christmas Card
Two-sided, foil-stamped greeting card using four foils and four passes through Kluge press. Printed onto 100lb Strathmore Premium Eggplant cover.
DIVISION II
PLATINUM
Blanks Printing and Digital Solutions
Accelerated Learning Kit
Hexagon-shaped retail box that unrolls to reveal three individual compartments built to hold teaching aides. Produced on Vutek LX3 using 24 C1S Tango paper board.
GOLD
ColorMark, LLC
Compass Real Estate “Compass Connects”
Perfect-bound softcover book printed on 130lb Finch Fine Bright White cover and text. Produced on 640 Heidelberg with black foil on front and back cover.
SILVER
Kingston Printing and Design
Doctor Junklove Two-Part Mail Campaign
Multiple-piece campaign including full-color broadside printed on 100lb Endurance Gloss text with soft touch aqueous and spot UV coating, diorama with three die-cut snap sheets printed on 18pt C2S Tango and a buck slip on 100lb Blazer Dull Text with added metallic gold dry ink on both sides. Campaigns were inserted into clear bags with an inkjet-printed label for mailing. Produced using Komori LS640 UV Press, Kodak Nexpress S3000 Digital Press and Sanwa Flatbed Letterpress.
BRONZE
Sun Graphics
K-State Football Ticket Catalog
Sheetfed catalog with stair-step pages. Produced on a five-color Komori press using 100lb SKH Gloss text.
DIVISION III
PLATINUM
Walsworth
V Magazine – Fall 2020
Perfect-bound magazine with gloss lamination and spot UV matte lamination with hand-inserted tip-in reply card. Produced on Heidelberg sheetfed press and Bolero binder using Kallima C1S Coated cover, 100lb Anthem Plus Gloss cover; 80lb Sterling Ultra Gloss text.
GOLD
Integ
Pocket Folder Album Sleeve
Promotional album sleeve produced on 40” five-color Heidelberg with spot UV coating using 130lb gloss cover.
SILVER
ColorDynamics, Inc.
Celebrating Fifty Years of Earth Day
Smyth-sewn case-bound book produced in four colors on 10 Color Komori LS Perfector UV press using 100lb Mohawk Options PC text and cover.
BRONZE
Motivating Graphics
Wi-Fi Extender Cover Book Box
V-grooved cover book box with magnets created to house a wi-fi extender. Produced on 6-color Heidelberg press and finished on a BOBST die cutter and folder/gluer with velcro hand work.
HONORABLE MENTION
NextPage
Best Practices Forum Folder & Booklet
High-end self mailer with inserted booklet produced in four colors on a Komori and HP Indigo 12000 using 100lb uncoated Accent digital cover and Endurance Silk text. Finished using BOBST die-cutter and Osaka stitcher.
BEST OF DIGITAL
PLATINUM
Miller Imaging and Digital Solutions
Dell Children’s Hospital “Heroes’ Exit”
Interior wide-format wallscape produced on HP 560 using Dreamscape Matte wallpaper and HP Latex Ink.
GOLD
Largeprinting.com
Holiday Quad Box
Custom-designed 16”x16”x16” retail display box using E-flute corrugate, adhesive back vinyl and direct UV ink. Produced on an AGFA Jeti Tauro press, cuts made on Esko Kongsburg XP.
SILVER
AlphaGraphics Kansas City
Sankofa: Lessons Learned, Quilted Portraits Book
Eighty-two page, 12”x12” case-bound book with red and silver foil embossed cover, full-color gloss-laminated dust jacket and full-color digitally printed insides using 80lb Blazer Silk Eggshell text. Produced on a Ricoh 7210sx.
BRONZE
JGX Group
Lensless 3D Droptix Acrylic Print
Backlit, cast clear acrylic print produced on Swiss-Q Print Impala 2. Printed on both sides to achieve 3D background with UV white ink and UV varnish.
SPECIALTY AWARDS KS / MO
JUDGE’S CHOICE
J&J Printing
Foundation Annual Report
Fifty-four page continuous-fold report produced on a Ryobi 750G LED UV Press in four-color process using 80lb Cougar cover.
BEST USE OF PAPER
Mainline Holographics
2021 Promotional Calendar
Self-promotional calendar using 12 different types of patterned holographic board. Produced on a Komori 640 UV offset press with white ink and a high-gloss UV coating.
BEST USE OF INK
Walsworth
Black: A Celebration of Culture Book
Perfect-bound book with hot foil and matte lamination produced on a Heidelberg and bound with Bolero Binder.
BEST INNOVATION
Allied Litho
Lyft Specialty Sticker
Low-tack adhesive car decal made from clear polyester and Nikkalite reflective material produced with multiple passes on KBA 2019 seven-color press with INX fade-resistant inks. Die-cut on BOBST 102 die cutter.
BEST USE OF SUBSTRATE
Custom Color
PrintOberfest Self Promo: Display HeavyKnit
Self promotion sample using Media One HeavyKnit Display substrate printed with EFI inks and dye sublimated onto 100% polyester fabric using EFI FabriVu.
BEST OF PACKAGING
Modern Litho
O3 + Maqui Box
Pharmaceutical retail box printed five-color offset and finished with purple, gold and clear foil applied through multiple passes on Kluge EHD press. Glued and tuck-tab folded on Moll auto bottom folder using 18pt. Invercote C1S paperboard.
BEST USE OF FINISHING
J&J Printing
The Intouch Brand Brochure
Forty-eight page booklet with laser-cut cover featuring soft touch, spot UV lamination and separate glued back pocket for inserted brochure. Produced on Ryobi 750G LED UV press using MPC 130lb Gloss cover and text, MPC 80lb Gloss cover, INX inks and Actega soft touch coating.
BEST OF BINDING
NextPage & Post Press Specialties
GCSAA Directory
Perfect-bound tradeshow book with tabs printed in four colors produced on Komori Offset Press and MBO folder, using 100lb Starbrite Opaque Select Smooth text and cover.
SPECIALTY AWARDS OK / TX
JUDGE’S CHOICE
Spartan Printing / Registermarks
Pepper Hill Shampoo and Conditioner Boxes
Five-box retail packaging set printed with seven PMS inks, soft touch aqueous and foil stamped. Produced on Komori LS640 press using 18pt SBS board substrate.
BEST USE OF PAPER
ColorDynamics
Plano Economic Development Campaign
Three-piece campaign with fly sheet produced on a Komori LS Perfector UV Press in four colors with UV spot varnish using 48lb Clearfold translucent stock and 80lb Endurance Silk cover.
BEST USE OF INK
Integ
Integ’s Metallic Ink Swatchbook
Self-promotional swatchbook showcasing metallic ink capability of HP Indigo 7000 press printed on 80lb dull cover stock.
BEST INNOVATION
JGX Group
DECOTRON Retro Illuminated “EAT” Sign
Retro sign display with invented low illumination technology using resin 3D-printed elements and programmed LED lighting. Encased by a welded aluminum cage and painted glass bulbs on top of a custom-made wooden base.
BEST USE OF SUBSTRATE
Opti Print & Fulfillment
Judge Amy Coney Barrett Clear Mailer
Fourteen separate versions of direct mail piece — total run 1 million+ — produced on clear substrate and mailed in six days. Produced on a Heidelberg as well as a flatbed trimmer using 12 pt APET clear stock and UV Topco Inks.
BEST OF PACKAGING
Impact Stamping / Graphic Converting /Letterpress Graphics
Restylane Lip Box
Large retail display box made form C1S paperboard, die-cut and formed with custom hand molds before being assembled with Potdevin glue machine.
BEST USE OF FINISHING
Performance Specialty Service
Fitish Christmas Ornament
Retail ornament foil-stamped on Kluge press using Kurz foil, die-cut flat on a Yawa then precisely folded and glued by hand.
BEST OF BINDING
Brodnax 21C Printers / Performance Specialty Service
Hockaday Vibrato 2020
Wire-O bound publication with a folded three-panel cover printed in five colors on a Heidelberg 40” CDX UV press using 130 lb Topkote Gloss cover and 100 lb Polar Bear Gloss cover.
BEST PRODUCT ASSEMBLY
PrintArt
Vintage Brick Sample Board
Medium-density 3/16” fiberboard board laminated front and back with forms printed in six colors before being cut to size from 52”x106” master sheet and routed along perimeter. Samples of master tiles cut at various sizes attached in final assembly. Produced on Komori G40 6 color press, Automattan Laminator, Fusion CNC Router and Technema Automatic Tile Saw using 100lb Flo Matte text and Top Level ink.
STUDENT AWARDS
— PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY —
FIRST PLACE
Jalen Dostal
Caffeine-Go’s Cereal
SECOND PLACE
Abigail Mitchell
Makers of Wow
THIRD PLACE
Clara Gillum
Field Journal
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SPONSORS
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Clean Earth
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ColorDynamics
Domtar
Fujifilm
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INX International
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JPS Graphics
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Landa
Largeprinting.com
LB Carlson
Lindenmeyr Munroe
Lone Star Print & Packaging
Love Envelopes
Metropolitan Community Colleges
Midland
Mimaki
NextPage
OPC Direct
OVOL USA
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Printer’s 401K
PrintIQ
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