Judging

Entries will be judged in a controlled lighting environment at the headquarters of GTI Graphic Technology using D50 light temperature (see Graphiclite for more information on the lighting systems being used). The target file contains a GretagMacbeth color checker with known values. These color patches will be measured and scored against the other entries’ delta E scores. This score will constitute 20% of the total score.

Qualitative criteria will also be used in the judging of the prints based on neutral gray balance reproduction, saturation, shadow detail and quality, overall tonality and detail, highlights and specular highlights, flesh tones, hue shift and text (explained in more detail in the accompanying target evaluation).

Each of these eight qualitative criteria will constitute 10% of the total score, combined to equal 80% of the total score. The target print supplied in this packet is for reference only, and does not need to be matched. Simply try to make the best print possible (even if its better than the target print).

Eligibility

You are eligible to participate in the DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out if your company is an exhibitor at PMA 08 – OR – is part of an exhibit with another company during the Trade Show.

Deadline

The deadline for entering the 2008 DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out is Friday, October 19, 2007. No entries will be accepted after this date.

Awards

Results will be published in PMA Magazine, Digital Imaging Digest, on the PMA and DIMA websites, as well as other association publications. The company with the winning entry in each category will receive a winner’s plaque, as well as a sign to place in the booth near the winning equipment at the PMA 08 Trade Show. A digital file of the winner logo will also be given to winning companies for promotional purposes. Winners will be included in the DIMA Shoot-Out Winners Press Release issued at PMA 08 and will receive special recognition during a press conference announcing the winners.

The Categories

The 2008 DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out divides printers into ten main categories, which are subject to change:

Logistics

Participating firms will receive the target file and print on October 29, 2007 – OR – November 5. Vendors can print the file at their own site, or they can choose a customer/firm using the vendor’s equipment to print the file. Each company will produce the appropriate size print from the same file and record the relevant information on the data sheet that will be supplied with the file. The site producing the print will have 5 working days to turn the “job” around, which will be determined by pick up and delivery times recorded by a courier service. The print(s) and the data sheet will need to be delivered by the site producing the print to PMA Headquarters in Jackson, Mich. From there, the prints will be judged and delivered to Las Vegas, where they will be displayed.

To receive the target file and target print, please fill out the online entry form. Remember to indicate on which date you would prefer to receive the file. We will also need to know the exact shipping address of the location producing the entries. You may enter only the category in which the printer is appropriate (for instance, a 36” inkjet printer may only enter the 36” to 49” inkjet printer category). DIMA will confirm your intent to participate in the DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out and will send the target file, target print, and data sheets to you or to the site producing the output on the appropriate date.

We look forward to your company being part of the 2008 DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out. If your company is not already exhibiting at PMA 08, but you would like to participate in the contest, please call our Trade Exhibits Department at (800) 762-9287. Remember, you must be exhibiting at PMA 08 to participate in the 2008 DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out.