Print Excellence Competition 101
A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started
The participating company must have produced at least 75% of the work in Georgia.PIAG is now accepting entries for its Print Excellence Competition (PEC). Curious about the PEC and how to participate? Here’s everything you need to get started!
What is the PEC?
The PEC is an annual competition recognizing top talent, creativity, and execution within Georgia’s printing industry.
Who Should Participate?
All print manufacturing, finishing, and design facilities in Georgia are encouraged to enter. The participating company must have produced at least 75% of the work in Georgia.
I’m an Education member. Can my students participate?
Absolutely! We have a special division for schools, allowing your students to showcase their work. Plus, student entries are free!
I’m an Associate member/equipment manufacturer. How can I be involved?
Encourage your customers to participate! This is a fantastic opportunity for them to highlight their work and demonstrate the capabilities of your equipment.
Why Should I Enter?
Winning a PEC award is an excellent promotional tool that showcases your company’s capabilities to current and potential customers. It's also a great way to recognize your employees for their hard work and dedication.
Additionally, PIAG members receive their first entry free! Take advantage of this opportunity by submitting your best entry at no cost.
What if I’m a smaller company? Do I have a chance to win?
Yes! Focus on highlighting your unique skill sets. Entries are judged based on division, determined by the number of employees in Georgia. At certain recognition levels, you only compete against companies of your size.
What Pieces Should I Enter?
Simply put, select those pieces that make you think “We nailed it!” Choose pieces that make you proud - pieces that exemplify your best work!
Entries must have been produced between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. There are over 70 categories in the competition, ranging from product type (brochure, annual reports, calendars) to ingenuity (innovation, they said it couldn’t be done). A single piece may be entered in multiple categories at a discounted price for the additional categories. Download the Call for Entries for full category details.
Ensure your samples are free from scratches/smudges, roller/gear marks, hickeys, etc. Entries are judged on registration, visual impact, illustration & halftone detail, finishing, richness & tonal qualities of color, degree of difficulty, paper & ink selection, and ink consistency.
When Do I Need to Enter By?
The call for entries is open through April 25, 2025. However, members who enter by March 14 receive a discounted rate. Please note that only the online entry submission must be received by March 14 to qualify for the discount; physical samples can be delivered any time before May 1.
Where Do I Enter?
Entry submission is available online at www.piag.org/pec. Samples of the pieces should be delivered to the PIAG Office no later than May 1, 2025.
How Do I Label My Entries?
Label each entry with your company name and entry number using a sticky note or temporary label. Please do not apply a permanent label directly to the entry.
What are the Different Levels of Recognition?
- Best of Show is awarded to the entry judged as the most outstanding in the competition.
- Best of Division is awarded to the entry in each division (determined by company size) that exceeds all others in overall quality, regardless of category.
- Top Gold awards are presented for the best piece in a selected category, regardless of company size. Selected categories are at the judges’ discretion, with examples including Most Innovative, Best Use of Color, Most Creative Use of Paper, Best Calendar, and/or Best Annual Report.
- Best of Category certificates are presented to the top piece in each of multiple categories, within each division.
- Award of Excellence certificates are given to entries that meet competition guidelines for quality, within each division.
Best of Category and Award of Excellence winners will be notified in June. Best of Show, Best of Division, and Top Gold winners will not be announced until the imPRESS Celebration of Print.
The Call for Entries is open now through April 25. We can’t wait to see the amazing work produced by PIAG members!