Last Thursday evening, the 36th Gala Gutenberg was held at the Salle de Bal du Marché Bonsecours in Montreal. Over 430 attendees celebrated excellence in print.
The Gala Gutenberg is the print industry's premier event. It celebrates the talent, creativity and know-how of its artisans. “I'm delighted to see that so many companies have answered the call! Our industry is truly dynamic, and this Gala proved it once again. Influential people from all over Quebec converged, once again, in this magnificent hall... not only printers, but also enthusiasts in printing, management, finishing, programming, robotization, finishing, sales, packaging, marketing and much more. Today, print is more present than ever. Gone are the days when printing was limited to paper; the possibilities are now endless,” says Yvon Sauvageau, President, Multi-Reliure, and President of the Gutenberg 2018.
“The Committee worked very hard to prepare this 36th Gutenberg, and was privileged to obtain the support of many partners, including Konica Minolta, which has already reserved its Diamond partnership for the next Gutenberg! We'd also like to thank Kodak, Hueneye, Ricoh and Rolland, as well as many other industry partners,” adds Mr. Sauvageau.
“For the evening's decor, we wanted to highlight all the sectors of our industry: large format, finishing, die-cutting, lamination, display, labels, packaging, fine paper and cardboard, and so on. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank once again the 22 companies who helped create the pieces that enhanced the evening,” adds Hélène Pageau, from ICI and member of the organizing committee.
“Pieces from the flexible packaging and flexo sectors once again took an important place this year. The same applies to the Display category, whose number of entries increases year after year. We're delighted that interest in the Contest and Gala continues to grow,” adds Stéphane Labrie, Training Coordinator at the CSMOCGQ and head of the Jury.
“New companies, both medium and small, have demonstrated their know-how and great sense of innovation. The Committee is delighted to discover that some of the newcomers to the Contest are very small companies operating in all fields of production. These companies are proud of their achievements, and have presented highly original, technically challenging pieces,” adds Stéphane Labrie.
On this magnificent Gala evening, 15 trophies were awarded to the proud winners. “The Gutenberg Committee was delighted to present the Coup de cœur award once again! Attendees were invited to vote for their favorite piece during the cocktail reception. The votes were counted by up-and-coming students from the Collège Ahuntsic graphic communications programs, who were present for the evening. The Coup de cœur will definitely be back next year,” adds Stéphane Labrie.
Reinvented categories for 2019!
Because, like us, you care about the Gutenberg, and because we're listening to your comments, the Committee has revisited the various facets of the Contest. Now there's no room for hesitation, and everyone can take part!
You're proud of your achievements, but many of you said you didn't see any real challenges in your day-to-day projects. Of course, the job of a printer, whatever his role in the graphic chain, is to create quality work. Of course, there's still room for innovation, and we've set aside a category for these so-called daring pieces!
We have therefore eliminated the two sections previously described as “technical challenge” and “innovation challenge”. The Competition needs to reinvent itself, just as our industry continues to evolve.
What is the Gutenberg L’Audacieux?
Audacious means “one who is willing to perform difficult actions, to take risks in order to succeed in a project considered impossible”. Have you dared to go the extra mile, and produced a print that's revolutionary in its raw materials, manufacturing process, form or use? Then submit your piece to the Gutenberg L'Audacieux category!
And don't forget that the categories don't take into account the printing process. You can therefore submit pieces in the same category that have been produced using offset, digital, silkscreen, inkjet, flexography, finishing, etc., or a combination of different processes. Pieces will be judged on their final result.
Here are the 11 categories in which you can enter your work to the Gutenberg 2019:
- Gutenberg Display
- Gutenberg Books Editing
- Gutenberg Magazines Editing
- Gutenberg Newspapers Editing
- Gutenberg Ennoblissement
- Gutenberg Labels
- Gutenberg Packaging
- Gutenberg Flexible Packaging
- Gutenberg Marketing (Self-Promotion)
- Gutenberg Marketing (Customer)
- Gutenberg L’Audacieux (NOUVEAU!)
There are no more barriers to your participation!
Start stocking up now on your pieces for the 2019 Contest! You'll find all the information and revised evaluation criteria at galagutenberg.ca/en
“We're already promoting Gutenberg 2019! Next year, we'll be celebrating the 37th anniversary of this great Contest. Celebrate the industry with us by participating, and don't hesitate to contact the Committee. Your comments, ideas and time are most welcome,” enthusiastically concludes Hélène Pageau, from ICI and member of the Organizing Committee.
