The organising team behind Sign & Digital has put out a Call for Entries for the 2012 Sign & Digital UK Awards - the UK’s most prestigious competition for the sign and display market. The Sign & Digital UK Awards event, now in its second year, is aimed at encouraging signmakers and digital print providers to focus on and develop their creative skills and techniques in sign and display.

The Awards are open to all signmakers, print providers & display professionals and provide an important platform to highlight the best talent and creative thinking in the UK display market. There are 10 categories in all and the focus is on rewarding both the creative and business aspects of the industry.

Alan Caddick, the show’s marketing manager comments, “We are excited to be returning with the Awards & Networking Event alongside the 2012 show after a successful launch back in April 2011. Winners last year included some of the most dynamic and eye-catching displays we’ve seen and we’re hoping their success will inspire more companies to enter this year.”

The 10 categories are:

Individual Sign Project of the year 1-9 employees
Individual Sign Project of the year 10+ employees
Multiple Sign Project of the year 1-9 employees
Multiple Sign Project of the year 10+ employees
Vehicle Wrapping Project of the year
Wide Format Print Project of the year
Green Award
Rising Star Award
Sign company of the year
Wide format printing company of the year

The accolades will be awarded at the Sign & Digital UK Awards and Networking event which will be held on the evening of the second day of the exhibition (Wednesday 28th March 2012) at the National Motorcycle Museum.  Entries will be judged by a panel of experts and the judges will be looking in detail at the methods used, creativity demonstrated and how these elements were used to deliver the results. All awards entries are should relate to work done during 2011.

The Rising Star Award calls for nominations for an individual that has really made their mark in 2011. The individual must be working in the industry and be aged under 30.

Best Sign Company Award and Best Wide Format Printing Company Award recognises the very best company that has demonstrated a high level of success in customer service, business growth/ development, business retention, innovation or creativity and should be backed up by solid results and testimonials. Sign & Digital UK's strict criteria will make these two awards the most sought after in the industry.

According to the organisers, the event is set to be the biggest networking opportunity for the signmaking and graphics industry in the UK in 2012. The ticket price includes pre-dinner drinks, a three-course meal and entertainment as well as the awards ceremony itself.  Rudi Blackett, show director comments, “The idea of holding the Networking event with the Awards is to give the exhibitors and visitors attending the show the ideal opportunity to network and socialise with business contacts & colleagues where they will be able to entertain customers and help celebrate the skill, innovation and flair within the industry.''