The billboard was created to showcase the unique style of renowned photographer Anne Geddes and won Mount Eden-based Omnigraphics a Gold Medal at this year’s prestigious Pride In Print Awards.
Presented before an estimated 800 people who attended the elite Pride In Print gathering in Rotorua, the Awards brought together top work from all categories of print throughout New Zealand.
But the Omnigraphics entry in the “Grande Format” printing category (for prints wider than two metres with no joins) had a special artistic feel to it, says Omnigraphics account manager Don Caird.
“This work was unique because it was closer to art than commercial advertising campaigns we normally work with. While the type layout, colour and sharpness were important, it was the photography that inspired emotions, making the picture the focal point for reproduction.
“The client’s brief also specified the need for no joins — hence this print was only possible on Grande Format printers operating at maximum resolution and colour consistency.”
Don says the job was an especially satisfying win for Omnigraphics because of the level of importance attached to it by Geddes Photography.
“The job brief was to have the public’s first impression of Anne’s work (in this case an international book show) conveyed by this print. Due to the nature of her work and the meticulous attention to colour and detail, this was a particularly-challenging project.
“A long and thorough proofing process resulted in the classic image capturing the emotion and tenderness of the subject in Grande Format size.”
He says the Pride In Print Awards success delighted the Anne Geddes team.
“They are a company who trade mainly offshore and recognition of the quality and nature of their work in New Zealand is welcomed. While we do not seek accolades or references from our clients — our reward is getting picked to produce their next print job! — we think the Pride In Print concept is an excellent way of bringing recognition to the huge variety of printing products and companies in New Zealand.
“We were keen to be a part of the Awards once the correct category was created to cater for the true outdoor production companies.”
Omnigraphics, which also picked up a Highly Commended Award for the Canon Camera Building wrap done for the Lord of the Rings parade in Wellington two years ago, has just moved to new, much-larger premises in Normanby Road, Mount Eden.
The company works 24 hours a day, usually five days a week with two eight-hour shifts at weekends, catering for the New Zealand “outdoor” print market.
Omnigraphics started in 1997 with one printer, three print operators, one pre-print operator, one salesperson, an accountant and a manager. It now employs 28 people and has six printing machines including a flatbed UV printer.
The company specialises mainly in billboard production, banners of all types, truck curtains, bus graphics, bus shelter graphics etc, and holds 80% of the billboard production market share in New Zealand.
Geddes Print brings ‘art’ reward for Omnigraphics
