19 December 2005
Plans are under way for the 11th annual Digital Imaging Marketing Association(DIMA Printer Shoot-Out, and for the first time in the event's history the judging of the prints will take place before the DIMA Annual Conference, Feb. 24-25, 2006, held at the Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Orlando, Fla.
The decision to move the location of the DIMA Photo Shoot-Out was made so judging could take place in an optimal D50-lighting environment. Voting will take place at GTI Graphic Technology Inc., Newburgh, N.Y, which is donating the space and lighting arrangement.
A new quantitative element will also be added to the judging process of each entry this year to measure known color value to actual value. PMA 2006 exhibitors request a target file produced by Graphics Intelligence Agency, Akron, Ohio, which will contain a GretagMacbeth Color Checker with known values. Suppliers are asked to produce the best possible print from the file and return it to DIMA headquarters within five working days of receiving it.
Industry consultants with expertise in color theory will then gather at GTI Graphic Technology to judge the prints, which are evaluated in categories based on technology (RA4 digital printers, inkjet, dye sub, ink, media, RIP and creative applications) and by price point subcategories. Color patches from the target file will be measured and scored appropriately. Qualitative criteria will also be used in the judging of the prints based on neutral gray balance reproduction, saturation, shadow depth and quality, overall tonality and detail, highlights and specular highlights, flesh tones, hue shift and text.
Also new this year, the announcement of the winners and an awards presentation will be held prior to the PMA 2006 International Convention and Trade Show, Feb. 26-March 1, 2006. DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out award winners will be announced during a press conference Sunday, Feb. 26, at 8:00 a.m. in the PMA Press Room. Prints will be displayed in Booth 3877 on the Trade Show floor throughout PMA 2006.
"We've listened to the feedback from our members on ways to improve the Printer Shoot-Out," noted DIMA's Chad Munce, Group Executive, Digital Imaging Markets. "This year's changes will make the judging process more equitable and allow winners to be recognized sooner."
The DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out is open to suppliers and distributors of digital printers, ink, media and RIPs who are exhibiting at PMA 2006, Feb. 26-March 1. For more information on the DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out, please contact Chad Munce at (800) 762-9287, or by e-mail at cmunce@pmai.org