VMA announces 2026 National Print Awards ‘major finalists’

The Visual Media Association (VMA) has announced the major award categories’ finalists for what will be the 41st National Print Awards (Thursday 4th June 2026, InterContinental Brisbane), aimed at recognising the individuals, businesses and emerging leaders shaping the future of Australia’s print and visual media industry.

Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer of the VMA, says: “These major award categories reflect the people, talent and capability across the industry, from workplace culture and sustainability through to supplier partnerships, operational performance and the next generation entering the sector.”

In the mix to take out this year’s major awards are:

–       Industry Supplier of the Year: finalists are John Ferguson and Troy Stockings from Spicers, Graham Hay from Barrack Broking, Robert Humphreys from Kyocera and Matt Taylor from Chandler CX;

–       Workplace Culture & Wellbeing Achievement: finalists are Nicolas Ansara from Kwik Kopy Darling Harbour, Gabrielle Stevens from Konica Minolta Australia, Karen Seage from Snap Underwood and Kirsty Woodhead from Breen Printing;

–       Emerging Talent of the Year: finalists are Angas Adcroft from MCC Labels, Kristen Dreischl from Ball & Doggett, Melissa Foord from Scotts, Olga Plastourgos from Kyocera and Laila Stevens from Eckersley Print Group;

–       Industry Woman of the Year: finalists are Magdaline Coleman from Colemans Printing & Signage, Lani Draheim from Rawson Print & Packaging, Stephanie Gaddin from Women in Print Australia, Gemma Leonard from Print City and Katherine Puttock from Lane Print Communications; and

–       Industry Employee of the Year: finalists are Paul Bartolo and Jessica Breen from Ball & Doggett, Francesca Gorman from Print 2 Metal, Mark Rolls from IVE Group and Paul Sanelli from Konica Minolta Australia.

Winners of the Emerging Talent of the Year, Industry Woman of the Year and Industry Employee of the Year categories will also be invited to take part in an international study tour across Europe, including attendance at The Print Show in Birmingham and visits to leading print businesses, suppliers and manufacturers.

Northwood adds: “Providing opportunities for our industry to connect internationally and experience global best practice is an important part of continuing to strengthen capability and leadership across the sector. This study tour initiative continues to provide valuable international exposure and leadership development opportunities both for our emerging and established industry professionals, providing exposure to international businesses, ideas and operational approaches that the participants can bring back into Australian print businesses.”

Northwood also gave a nod to the success of VMA’s The Inkers Program an initiative made possible through the support of Platinum Partner Konica Minolta Australia to support emerging talent across print, packaging, signage and visual media. Four out of the five finalists in the Emerging Talent of the Year category are in The Inkers Program, which Northwood describes as ‘critical to ensuring our industry continues to attract, develop and retain talent’.

This year, the 2026 National Print Awards will also include an Ink and Innovation Masterclass, supported by conference partner CMYKhub, taking place from 10am to 3pm ahead of the awards gala dinner. The masterclass will feature Jon Bailey, Chief Executive Officer of Precision Proco, alongside Kelvin Gage and Bernardo Stalenoef from GF Smith, with discussion focused on workflow, leadership and business performance across the print sector.

Northwood adds: “This event reflects the appetite across the industry for practical discussion around leadership, operational performance and business growth.”

“With only a handful of tickets remaining for both the Masterclass and the Awards Gala Dinner, I would encourage people to secure their place quickly.”

National Print Awards Gala Dinner tickets can be secured here

Ink and Innovation Masterclass tickets can be secured here

The National Print Awards are supported by Platinum Sponsors HP and Currie Group, alongside industry partners including Fujifilm, Ball & Doggett, Plockmatic Group and Renz, Ricoh Australia, Konica Minolta, Flint Group Packaging Solutions, Print21, Spicers, Print Training Australia and Spectra.

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