Vanderbilt Register.... April 21-27, 1997

Vanderbilt wins nine awards in national printing contest

Photo by Billy Kingsley
Director of Printing Services Thomas J. Fox plans to accept nine awards at this year's International Publishing Management Association conference in Reno, Nev.

by Adrienne Outlaw

Vanderbilt University Printing Services won nine awards in the annual In-Print national competition for excellence in printing, co-sponsored by International Publishing Management Association and In-Print Graphics magazine.

Director of Printing Services Thomas J. Fox plans to accept the awards June 18 during the IPMA 97 conference in Reno, Nev.

"I'm excited about the success we've had in this year's competition. It's always an honor to be compared against peer organizations and recognized with these awards," said Fox. "I'm convinced our staff and facility are among the best in the country. I must also thank the University Publications and Design Office. They designed and coordinated all of our award-winning pieces."

Vice Chancellor for Administration Bill Jenkins agrees that Vanderbilt's Printing Services' staff and facility are among the best in the country. "Vanderbilt is fortunate to have award-winning printing services right here on campus. More than 6,000 high quality print jobs are completed each year by a staff of only 30 employees. We are very proud of the team efforts and accomplishments of printing services and University Publications and Design."

Vanderbilt won four first place awards, one second place, one third place and three honorable mentions. The Vanderbilt University 1996 Financial Report, Fall Research at Vanderbilt, the Library Acorn Pocket Folder and the Peabody Commencement Invitation placed first in the competition. The Owen Graduate School of Management Annual Dean's Report placed second and the Blair Viewbook catalog placed third. IPMA and In-Plant Graphics awarded honorable mentions to the engineering school's Lewis Society brochure; the John F. Kennedy Center "Solving the Mysteries of Development" booklet; and the College Cabinet Annual Report.

In-Print 97 judged 823 entries. Judging criteria included printing definition, ink coverage, registration, design, typography, degree of difficulty and overall printing excellence.

Brian Waack, associate director of Printing Services, is proud of the jobs they produce. "By printing exclusively for Vanderbilt," Waack said, "we have a vested interest in delivering top-quality printed materials that represent the University and Medical Center."

To meet increasingly higher printing standards, current state-of-the-art technology includes a six-color Heidelberg press, which controls all print jobs through a computer; a computer-controlled paper cutter; and a saddle stitcher, which binds and trims documents. "All of our equipment is really top-notch. The pieces that we produce for Vanderbilt must have a quality look and feel to them," said Waack.

The department hopes to make another upgrade in the next 18 months by updating its management and information system. The new system will allow customers to access their project status and history through the Internet.