In the second half of 2019, swissQprint challenged customers worldwide to a competition. Now the winners are known. The diversity of entries underscores the versatility of the printing systems used in their creation.

"We are seeking the most original, most complex, most amazing, most compelling printed products ever produced with a swissQprint machine," was the message in the call for submissions that went out to all swissQprint customers in the second half of 2019. The swissQprint Creative Challenge was on. Out of 65 qualifying entries, six winners have emerged. All the entries are on display in an online gallery at www.swissqprint.com. 

The winners
Top place goes to "3D-Kopf" from Haas Werbetechnik, Austria, a precision application that combines 3D effects and relief printing. In second place is a large-format piece of art with some unusual varnish effects, "Privathaus M" from Erwin Hüttl Ges.m.b.H., Austria. Third place is taken by "ideoopack manupacktur promotionbox" from raunjakintermedias gmbh, Austria, a promotional item that shows off all the possibilities of UV printing. In fourth place is "Mosaic replica" by Biksad, Turkey, a museum facsimile of a mosaic printed on handmade paper. Tying for fifth place are "Bio Club posters" from Shoei, Japan, a sophisticated print on hologram paper, and "Natur" from Schilder Systeme GmbH, Austria, which combines natural and artificial materials along with printed textures. The winner, Haas Werbetechnik, is coming to Switzerland this year with two representatives for an adventure trip. Second to fifth placed winners are being rewarded with generous prizes.

Multifaceted judging
The competition title implies that originality was all that counted. "The evaluation went far beyond this criterion," points out the competition coordinator, Petra Fetting. Thus, a five-member jury of experts evaluated entries according to a grid of distinct criteria. The swissQprint workforce also had the opportunity to submit their ratings, as well as the public, who had their say in the outcome via an online voting platform.

International participation
"Although Austrians dominate the winners' list, participation was international," explains Petra Fetting. Entries arrived from 20 countries across North America, Europe and Asia, 65 of which qualified. Incidentally, this was the second round of the swissQprint Creative Challenge, the first being in 2016. "This year's entries have exceeded our expectations on all counts," adds the enthusiastic project coordinator.

Application variety in evidence
Petra Fetting continues, "We received a fantastically wide range of applications." The projects can be roughly categorised into the fields of advertising technology, signage, display and packaging, interior décor, art reproduction, commercial and industrial applications, and droptix (3D effect). On the one hand, it was striking to note how many unusual media had been processed. On the other, many fine art productions were among the competition entries as well as textured and relief prints, the latter in part combined with droptix. "Our customers have shown with amazing style just how versatile our large format printers are,” sums up Petra Fetting.

Overview of the winners

1st "3D-Kopf" by Haas Werbetechnik, AT
2nd "Privathaus M" by Erwin Hüttl Ges.m.b.H., AT
3rd "ideoopack manupacktur promotionbox" by raunjakintermedias gmbh, AT
4th "Mosaic replica" by Biksad, TR
5th "Bio Club posters" by Shoei, JP and "Natur" by Schilder Systeme GmbH, AT

The winning entry: "3D-Kopf" from Haas Werbetechnik – an effective combination of droptix and relief printing.