An expanded global competition for print publishers focuses uniquely on print innovation and sustainability

Organised by WAN-Ifra’s World Printers Forum, the competition expands on the print innovation awards held from 2018.

This year’s Sustainability and Print Innovation Awards is open to members as well as other newspaper and magazine publishers, advertisers and advertising agencies, with only winners to be named.

Entries are open from Jun 6-Aug 31, with jury evaluation from Sep 1-15 2025. Awards are to be presented on Oct 8 at the World Printers Summit in Munich.

The new competition focuses on sustainability and print innovation and claims to be the first worldwide competition.

–A ‘print-digital fusion’ award will honour projects that blend print with digital tools such as AR, QR, apps or cross-platform storytelling;

–The ‘next-gen reader engagement’ award celebrates print products that successfully reach Gen Z and younger audiences through bold formats, storytelling and educational partnerships;

–The ‘sustainable print excellence’ award recognises outstanding environmental efforts in print production – from materials to energy use and circular systems;

–A ‘supply chain innovator’ award (with DistriPress) showcases innovation in the publishing supply chain, and is targeted at logistics partners, suppliers and tech-enabled publishers;

–Finally, the ‘print advertising creativity award’ rewards standout print ad campaigns that engage, surprise and deliver results using unique formats or technologies.

A panel of expert judges will be chaired by Gundula Ullah (pictured), vice chair of the World Printers Forum, and procurement head for German publisher Funke Mediengruppe.

Below: Winners of the 2024 European competition celebrate