In-plant One of Three Winners in Print Embellishment Competition

Si Nguyen

Duplo USA announced the winners of the 2020 Shima Awards, its annual print embellishment competition, and one of them is an in-plant. The Printing Services Center at the University of Pittsburgh has produced some outstanding recruitment and marketing pieces using tactile effects.

The Shima Awards recognize innovative printing operations that are leveraging the power of spot coating, texture and tactile effects to produce high impact applications using the Duplo DDC-810 Raised Spot UV Coater.

Si Nguyen, Vice President of Sales at Duplo USA, interviewed the recipients and showcased their entries in a dedicated video. “It was a pleasure speaking with three of our successful customers who have been utilizing our raised spot UV solution to stay competitive and keep their client’s target audience engaged,” said Nguyen. “We’re all doing our part to keep printing alive!”

Shima Award Winners

Bronze Award – University of Pittsburgh
Of over 60 units installed across the country, the Printing Services Center at the University of Pittsburgh was the first higher education print shop to add the DDC-810. They serve the academic, administrative, and student organizations on campus using an array of print and finishing equipment. With their new added-value capability, the Printing Services Center has been producing more engaging recruitment and other marketing pieces with tactile effects.

“We want to attract students to the university and make really great pieces they can touch and feel…something with a WOW factor. Students don’t get a whole lot of mail so when they get an embellished piece, they’ll save it,” says Robert Fitzgerald, Senior Manager of Printing Services. “I think it’s important from a print standpoint to have that embellishment on the documents that you’re giving to your students and alumni to really bring out that extra personal touch.”

Silver Award – Printing Specialist
Printing Specialist in Glen Burnie, Maryland was the second print service provider in the world to invest in Duplo’s solution. With the ability to apply raised spot UV to anything from business cards to packaging, they often collaborate with advertising agencies to create print marketing campaigns that stand out.

“One of the beauties of the DDC-810 is that it is one-off. You can basically set it up, run one sheet, cut it out, and give them a sample they can see,” says Scott Buswell, Vice President of Sales at Printing Specialist. “There are no plates, no screens, not a lot of large make-ready. You’re able to do something on the fly, show the client, and then upsell.”

Gold Award – Citywide Printing
Citywide Printing in Des Plaines, Illinois has been using its print embellishment capabilities to acquire new customers, especially from graphic designers. “In commodity printing, you need a way to differentiate yourself from others and the DDC-810 helps me get in the door,” says Jim Hess, President of Citywide Printing. “I’m seeing repeat business from designers and other printers and even print brokers. Designers are definitely the right market for this.”

Source: Duplo USA

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with In-plant Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of In-plant Impressions.