2010 Gold Ink Awards

With cost-cutting and decreasing time-to-market among the top priorities in many book production departments and manufacturing facilities, one might think print quality, as a whole, would suffer. But as demonstrated by the winners of this year's Gold Ink Awards—the industry's premier print competition, produced by Book Business, Publishing Executive and Printing Impressions magazines—pride in book production is not so easily stifled. From paper and coverboard materials selection, to enviable attention to intricate color accuracy and image vibrancy, to the highest-quality binding, and design integration with complex production processes and materials, these winners are evidence that partnerships between book production executives and their manufacturing vendors, as well as the use of the latest printing technologies, are integral to the final product, and that quality has remained a top priority despite the challenges many book production and manufacturing facilities face.

Now in its 23rd year, the annual Gold Ink Awards showcases the finest in print production in 47 categories. The Gold, Silver, Bronze and Pewter awards were selected this year from nearly 1,200 entries, by a judging committee of distinguished graphic arts experts. They judged these entries over the course of three days at the headquarters of North American Publishing Co. (Book Business' parent company) in Philadelphia. Winning pieces were selected based on superiority in print quality, technical difficulty and overall visual effect.

The Annual Gold Ink Awards Banquet, held to honor the winners (and in conjunction with the Publishing Executive Hall of Fame induction ceremony), will take place Monday evening, Oct. 4 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, during Graph Expo 2010. For information on attending or to reserve your seat or corporate table, visit GoldInk.com or contact Mike Cooper at (215) 238-5434 or MCooper@NAPCO.com.

Book Business congratulates all of this year's winners on their significant achievements. Also, thanks to all the entrants to this year's competition; while they may not have taken home awards, they faced extremely stiff competition, and should also be recognized for taking pride in their work and entering some truly impressive pieces for consideration. Thanks also go out to the judging committee; with thousands of pieces to judge—loop in hand, strain on the eyes and back, during hours of excruciating evaluation—they certainly deserve the gratitude of the Gold Ink Awards organizers and the winners. Thanks and congratulations to all!