CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2004 – Xerox Corporation today named Impressions Numéricart of Quebec “Best of Show” winner of its Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging Awards, a multinational competition created to recognize innovation and excellence in digital color printing applications. The contest attracted over 200 submissions, the greatest number in the competition’s three-year history. This marks the first year the awards expanded beyond North America to include submissions from Latin America. More than 20 entries were submitted from this region and three Latin American printers were given “Honorable Mention” recognition. An independent panel of experts in the graphic communications industry awarded Impressions Numéricart the highest combined ratings for its winning piece, the “Voir La Couleur Autrement” marketing binder. Printed on a DocuColor 2045 Digital Color Press, DocuColor 12 Printer and DocuTech 6135 PowerPlus, the promotional piece presents a panoramic view of the company’s digital printing services and technology. Designed to illustrate Impressions Numéricart’s capabilities, the binder provides samples of color and monochrome prints on a variety of different paper stocks. The use of the “Voir La Couleur Autrement” binder in sales interactions resulted in a 29 percent increase in revenue, as well as significant increases in new customers and repeat orders, according to Alain Patenaude, president, Impressions Numéricart. “The use of Xerox digital presses is a key reason we have been successful and have grown our business during the past year,” said Patenaude. “When our customers see our digital print samples, they can’t believe their eyes—they can take advantage of short print runs and quick job turnarounds without sacrificing image quality.” In addition to “Best of Show,” Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented in each of the following categories: variable print / 1:1 marketing communications, short-run digital color, and digital books and manuals. Judging criteria included overall aesthetics, business effectiveness, use of digital technology and degree of innovation. All award-winning entries, including honorable mentions, are available on www.xerox.com/pixi. Individual category winners include: Variable Print / 1:1 Marketing Communications TBC Color Imaging, Teterboro, N.J., received Gold for its “Sandy Alexander Promotion” submission, a personalized application designed to demonstrate new variable data and print capabilities to existing customers, printed on a Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Press. Prompt Recovery Inc., Medina, Ohio, received Silver for its “Jay Pontiac-Buick Car Brochure” submission, a personalized service reminder used to maintain and improve client relationships, printed on a DocuColor 6060 Digital Color Press. Direct Data Communication, Atlanta, Ga., received Bronze for its “Atlanta Hawks Season Ticket Kit” submission, a personalized campaign designed to illustrate the dedication of the team’s new ownership to season ticket holders, printed on a DocuColor 2045. Short-Run Digital Color Hume Imaging Inc., Toronto, received Gold for its “The Dance Company Promotion” submission, a promotional piece created to increase market share for The Dance Company, printed on a Xerox iGen3 press, DocuColor 6060 and Phaser 7700. Paragon Media, Seattle, Wash., received Silver for its “K2 Skis Press Kit” submission, used to introduce a new line of equipment, printed on a DocuColor 6060. Sir Speedy Printing, Irvine, Calif., received Bronze for its “Cookies-Not Half Baked” submission, a promotional piece used to illustrate design capabilities to existing customers, printed on equipment including the DocuColor 2045 and DocuTech 6100. Digital Books and Manuals Copy General, Sterling, Va., received Gold for its “Art Directors Club Book” submission, a digital book that had previously been produced offset and is now printed on the Xerox iGen3 press. Copy General also received Silver for its “Through the Eyes of the Eagle” submission, a pre-release edition book sent to potential publishers, printed on the Xerox iGen3 press. City Blue Imaging Services, Rochester, N.Y., received Bronze for its “Seton Catholic School Yearbook” submission, a yearbook personalized by students with their own half page in the book and their name on the cover, printed on a DocuColor 2060. “Across the globe our customers continue to be digital innovators, shattering expectations and delivering unparalleled work,” said Valerie Blauvelt, vice president of marketing, Xerox Production Systems Group. “Customers like Impressions Numéricart have discovered how the power of digital technology can increase volume, revenue and communication effectiveness for their customers.” The judging panel for the Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging Awards included industry leaders Ira A. Gold, vice president of production, United Marketing Solutions, and contributing editor to Electronic Publishing; Bruce D. Kielar, senior vice president, executive creative director, Roberts Communications Inc.; Marion Mathison, founder and president, The Mathison Group; David R. Spencer, president and CEO, Spencer & Associates Publishing Ltd.; and Roy Zucca, owner of ConsultRoy.com and director of business development for Impact Workflow Solutions.