Definitions: Categories and Subgroups
There are twenty-four categories and four category subgroups in which to enter.
Category Subgroups
True Process Color (Subgroup “A”) – Screen printing using 3 to 8 screens using transparent colors – with at least three of them CMYK, in any dot configuration. Process is capable of creating a full color gamut, full tonal range, and color-accurate real life images. Touch plates are permissible. Expanded gamut separations such as Hexachrome and Hi-Fi Color are permissible. Textile printers – for dark garment categories, a white under base and white highlights are permissible.
Single/Multicolor (Subgroup “B”) – Screen printing solid spot colors and simple halftone tints. Any other dot patterns belong in another subgroup. Any number of printing colors using transparent, semi-opaque, and opaque inks are permissible. This subgroup process is incapable of producing real life images and should not be used to simulate true process color.
Simulated/Index Color (Subgroup “C”) – Screen printing using any number of transparent, semi-opaque or opaque inks in any dot configuration. This subgroup process is capable of creating a wide color gamut over a full tonal range and can simulate real life images. Halftones, duotones, tri-tones, quad-tones, and posterizations should be entered in this subgroup.
Digital (Subgroup “D”) - Products decorated using one of several non-impact imaging technologies where the image is formed by a computer controlled printer. (To include: ink jet, laser photo, and thermal transfer.)
Categories (Available Subgroups)
Back-lighted Signs/Displays (Subgroup A, B, D) – Imagery and text presenting designed to be viewed in an illuminated or backlighted state.
Banners (Subgroup A, B, D) – Imagery and text on flexible substrates, textile or otherwise, which generally convey a message.
Calendars (Subgroup A, B, D) – A register of week or months conventionally marking a year printed on virtually any substrate.
Compact Discs (Subgroup A, B, D) – Any printed compact disc.
Decals/Pressure Sensitive (Subgroup A, B, D) – Imagery and text on pressure sensitive material intended for placement on another surface. (Not including water-slide, lacquer or ceramic decals.)
Decals, Water-Slide/Lacquer/Ceramic (Subgroup A, B, D) – Printed decals that release from a support sheet and transfer to the application surface through use of water, adhering varnish, or heat.
Fine Art (Subgroup A, B, D) – Expressions of an artistic nature of either original productions (serigraphs) or reproductions of pre-existing images.
Finished Garments (Light) (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Articles of apparel that are completely sewn and assembled prior to printing. (Not to include garments printed light on dark, screen printed jackets, nylon shells, rainwear, hats, caps, visors, etc.)
Finished Garments (Dark) (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Articles of apparel that are completely sewn and assembled prior to printing. They must be printed light on dark. (Not to include printed jackets, nylon shells, rainwear, hats, caps, visors, etc
Glass/Mirrors, Flat (Subgroup A, B, D) – Subsurface or top-surface printing on flat glass or similar glass and mirror products.
Glass, Curved (Subgroup A, B, D) – Printing on curved glass surfaces including, but not limited to, ceramic mugs, drinking glasses, bottles, etc.
Greeting Cards (Subgroup A, B, D) – Printed messages of goodwill, usually associated with special occasions, printed on paper or similar substrates.
Heat Transfers - Textile (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Heat applied transfers for garments, hats, caps and visors only.
Industrial (Subgroup A, B, D) – Printing performed as an essential step to fabricate a final product within a larger manufacturing process. Examples include bottles/containers, conductive/resistive inks, cosmetics, instrumentation dials & gauges, molded parts, nameplates, product coding and identification, and vinyl binders.
Interior Design (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Printing and imaging commonly incorporated for use in interior design applications. Materials generally include wallpaper, ceramic tile, upholstery/drapery fabrics, bed/table linens, carpet, wood, glass, lamp shades, window blinds, etc.
Jackets (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Outerwear and rainwear (such as vinyl, leather, nylon and denim) sewn and assembled prior to printing (not to include fleece and similar fabrics which might otherwise be entered as Finished Garments.)
Loose-leaf Products (Subgroup A, B, D) – Any printed cover material used to hold loose sheets of paper or other materials. Not to include ring binders or similar covers. No limit to substrate. Flat single-sheet products other than posters.
Metal Signs/Products (Subgroup A, B, D) – Imagery and text on any metal substrate.
Piece Goods (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Any panel or section of fabric that is printed prior to assembly into a finished product. (Submit entries unassembled.)
Posters (Subgroup A, B, D) – Any commercial message screen printed on paper (or similar substrate to exclude backlit materials) for indoor or outdoor viewing.
Special Effects - Textile (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Unusual visual effects beyond the range of traditional inks and printing that are produced by using special effect inks or special effect techniques to include High Density, Gels, Foils, Flock, Caviar Beads/PVC Flakes, etc.
Textile Products (Other) (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Printed textiles such as tote bags, backpacks, draperies, tapestries, bed linens, towels, pennants, caps, visors, etc.
Unique Applications (Subgroup A, B, C, D) – Images incorporating unique printing techniques for products not otherwise defined, or images installed and/or finished in a noteworthy fashion.
Vehicle Wraps (Subgroup A, B, D) – Pressure sensitive material printed and applied to the full exterior of vehicles.
Wooden Signs/Products (Subgroup A, B, D) – Imagery and text printed directly on wood, Masonite, or wood fiber substrates (excluding paper products).