ROCHESTER, N.Y., Kodak is again sponsoring the annual Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) cover contest. Kodak's sponsorship follows the success of the 2010 contest, which drew more entries than any previous GDUSA cover competition. This year, the contest rules have widened to include all KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions, from dimensional printing and gloss coating to red fluorescing and extended color gamut. The contest begins on June 13, entries are due by August 3, and the winning entry will be announced in the September issue of GDUSA with the winning image featured on the cover.

"Our readers are always looking for a competitive edge, and being able to do something really unique with digital print is a great opportunity to get noticed," said Gordon Kaye, Publisher, GDUSA. "The fact that so many of our readers entered last year's contest tells us that designing for digital is a hot-button issue. We're excited to expand beyond dimensional printing this year and can't wait to see just how creative the entries are for 2011."

Last year's winner was Angie Krisel, of Liberty Creative Solutions, for an entry she entitled "The Future's So Flat I Gotta Wear Shades." As Kodak's guest at Graph Expo last year, she talked with WhatTheyThink about her business and the role of design in digital print.

GDUSA has assembled a panel of judges who will review all entries and choose the winners based on overall visual appearance, effective communication, and the integration of NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions capabilities into the cover design. The winning cover designer will be Kodak's guest at Graph Expo 2011, and the top 10 entries will be featured in Kodak's booth at the show.

The innovative capabilities offered by NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions are designed to help designers, printers, and their clients see and feel print in a whole new way. With the addition of these high-impact visual, tactile and added security capabilities, digital print can become even more relevant-and more profitable.

Some of the print possibilities enabled by NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions include:

• Dimensional – adds tactile impact
• Glossing – for spot gloss or full gloss impact
• Red Fluorescing – ideal for security applications
• Inline Coating – for satin matte finish or watermark for latent images/designs
• Light Black – for enhanced image reproduction
• Color – expand color gamut to hit critical brand colors or tough-to-match Pantones
• MICR – handle financial and transactional requirements

"I'm always surprised and humbled by the amazing projects our customers create with our press solutions," commented Vince Ferraro, Vice President of Global Marketing, Digital Printing Solutions, Kodak. "We never really discover all the incredible things the technology can do until we get it in the hands of the users. A contest like this allows us to see the full power of our tools and how they are truly helping customers grow and transform their businesses. I can't wait to see this year's entries."

For more details or to enter the 2011 contest, visit www.gdusa.com/digitalprintingcontest/. All entries must be received by August 3, 2011.