Categories and criteria

 

Judging criteria

Printing categories will be judged on reproduction, degree of difficulty and print quality. Entries must have been produced in the 12 months prior to 3 July 2025. An international panel of judges will assess each entry submitted.

Please note that any one job or project/campaign may only be entered in one category.

Download entry form 

 

 

Rules

  1. Entries must have been produced by the printing or repro company entering the awards.
  2. No previous winning job may be re-entered from the same or different company.
  3. All entries must be produced in the 12 months prior to 3 July 2025.
  4. Entries are for commercial work undertaken by the printing company entering the awards, except promotional print and innovation categories.
  5. Whitmar Publications reserves the right to use any entries received for marketing and promotional purposes in its magazines and on its website.
  6. Entrants must have obtained the permission of their customer before entering the competition.
  7. Whitmar Publications cannot accept responsibility for entries submitted.
  8. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  9. Entries received after the deadline will be subject to a flat £50 late fee.
  10. Entries may be moved to a different category at the discretion of the judges.
  11. By entering you agree to all technical information being published on the website and in the magazine.
  12. All printed samples must be unconverted, of full press width and include at least three repeat lengths, except corrugated samples where one sheet is sufficient. This should include control strips and registration marks. With the exception of labels and corrugated post-print, cut-outs will NOT be considered by the judges.
  13. The printing company’s contact details should be submitted with the entry if it is being entered on their behalf.
  14. Whitmar Publications reserves the right to withdraw a category at any time.

 

NOTE FOR ALL ENTRANTS

All printed samples must be unconverted, of full press width and include at least three repeat lengths, except corrugated samples where one sheet is sufficient. This should include control strips and registration marks. With the exception of labels and corrugated post-print, cut-outs will NOT be considered by the judges.

Categories

 

  • Labels - printed on paper substrates

    Labels of any format, printed with any flexo or flexo hybrid process on paper.

  • Labels - printed on film substrates

    Labels of any format, printed with any flexo or flexo hybrid process on film.

  • Flexible packaging (narrow/medium web) on film

    Up to and including 1000mm wide.

  • Flexible packaging (wide web) on film

    >1000mm wide

  • Flexible packaging (narrow/medium web) on paper

    >1000mm wide

  • Flexible packaging (wide web) on paper

    >1000mm wide

  • NEW FOR 2025 - Future flexo star

    This award is for any employee under the age of 30 who is set to play a key role in the future of the flexographic value chain; nominees are welcomed from all areas of the supply chain. Entries for this category must include a supporting statement outlining why this individual should be considered for the award, their progress and their achievements to date.

  • UV Flexo on paper or board

    The use of UV inks (including UV-LED ink) on paper or board substrates

  • Corrugated post-print (A, B, C and D flute)

    Post-print flexo on corrugated board with A, B, C of D fluting

  • Corrugated post-print (E and F flute)

    Post-print flexo on corrugated board with E or F fluting

  • Best use of hybrid printing

    Using flexo as the main printing process but using different processes to give the print additional qualities or attributes

  • Process colours only

    Using just CMYK with or without a white or a varnish

  • Digital labels and packaging

    Any packaging or labels which have been printed with digital printing technology only

  • Best use of embellishment

    Using embossing, foiling or any other embellishments to make visually stunning results on packaging or labels

  • Environmentally sustainable company - Production

    Print companies that can demonstrate their commitment to more sustainable flexo print production through investment in technology or management of consumable materials. Entrants should submit a maximum 500-word report that outlines how they meet the criteria, along with any supporting documents that will help the judges make their assessment.

  • Environmentally sustainable company – Business

    Print companies that can demonstrate their commitment to more sustainable business operation (not production related) through investment in technology or management of resources. Entrants should submit a maximum 500-word report that outlines how they meet the criteria, along with any supporting documents that will help the judges make their assessment.

  • Best environmentally-improved job

    A flexo or hybrid print job that has been made more environmentally-sustainable through changes to the materials or technology used in production. Judges will require details of the previous and new process, and evidence of environmental gains or savings achieved through this change.

  • Promotional print

    Flexo print produced to showcase the abilities of a printer. (Must be submitted by the printer and can NOT be a commercial job).

  • Innovation - not eligible for suppliers

    Innovations that you, as a flexo printer/converter, have developed and implemented (with or without a partner) for your customers in the 12 months prior to 3 July 2025 – this could be innovations in design, reprographics, production, finishing/converting, ink formulation, materials development, sustainability or other aspects of the service you, as a flexo printer/ converter offer to your customers. Judges will favour entries that demonstrate clear evidence of new ideas, new technologies and breakthrough service provision by the entering company that show measurable value for its customers. Not eligible for suppliers. Entrants should submit a maximum 500 word report which outlines how they meet the criteria of this category, as well as any supporting documents which will help the judges make their assessment.

  • NEW FOR 2025 - Best reprographics

    Championing the fantastic work within the flexographic repro field, this category will consider the challenges inherent in a specific job around design, printer capabilities and substrate, and what decisions have been made to optimise run-ability, quality, and cost. Judges will assess issues such as colour management and the management of challenges with text/copy, images, line and tone and cold foil and varnish application. Please see the specific entry requirements for the Best Reprographics category on the back page of the entry form, and complete the information required

    FlexoTech Awards