WASHINGTON, DC - The Worldwide Printing Thermographers Association (WPT) has announced the winners of its Fifth Annual Excellence in Thermography Contest - the FREDDIEs. The FREDDIE award recognizes companies for their use and application of the thermographic (raised printing) process on items including business cards, envelopes, letterheads, social announcements, folders, posters, promotional materials, invitations and more. This year’s contest drew nearly 500 entries in 21 categories from 29 companies engaged in the thermographic printing process across the United States. Carlson Craft Thermographers won the 2002 FRED NICOTERA AWARD for “BEST OF THE BEST” for their entry in the Excellence in Envelopes, 100% Thermographed. FREDDIE awards were awarded to the following companies: Anderburg-Lund Printing Company - St. Louis Park, MN Artco - Rexburg, ID AWT Phoenix #2- Phoenix, AZ Business Cards Express - Sylmar, CA Carlson Craft - North Mankato, MN Chase - Milford, MA Checkerboard Limited - West Boylston, MA Dewberry Engraving Company - Birmingham, AL DOT Thermography, Inc. - Addison, TX Hodgins Engraving - Batavia, NY Ink & Paper Magic Makers, Inc. - Arlington, TX Lallie, Inc. - Annapolis, MD McPhersons - Sunman, IN Northeast Thermography - Wallingford, CT NU-ART - Bedford Park, IL Regency Thermographers - Waynesboro, PA Shamrock Raisdletter & Printing Co. - St. Louis, MO Tatex Thermographers - Waco, TX Taycal Press - Visalia, CA Utley Brothers, Inc. - Troy, MI West Texas Printing - Brownwood, TX Entries were judged at the WPT headquarters in Washington, DC. All entries were displayed by category throughout the WPT annual conference which was held in Galveston Island, Texas. Any company involved in the thermographic process was eligible to enter. Entries were judged based on excellence in quality including color control and thermography, design and registration, and how the use of thermography enhances the piece. The 21 award categories included excellence in thermography for: business cards, envelopes, letterheads or personal stationery; social announcements or invitations; foil stamping; and advertising, self-promotion and promotional work. The Excellence in Thermography Contest is appropriately named the “FREDDIE” to honor Fred Nicotera, who is known within the industry as the Father of Thermography. Fred‚s contributions to the thermography industry span 45 years. He started in 1945 as a jogger at the end of thermography machine and retired in 1995 as the founder and president of Faust Thermographic Supply, Inc., one of the industry’s largest powder manufacturers. Fred developed many products and processes that continue to benefit thermographers worldwide. His numerous contributions to the industry have linked his name forever to excellence in thermography.