Fuji Xerox hosts FutureTech design competition

Two years ago, print press manufacturer Fuji Xerox launched the Iridesse production press a tool that has since revolutionised workflows for printers around the world. Now, the brand is running a nation-wide design competition encouraging designers to submit their best and brightest artwork showcasing the special features of the Iridesse and the future of print. Read on to learn more.

What makes the Iridesse special?

Compared to other Fuji Xerox presses, e.g. the C60 or Colour 1000i, this production press undoubtedly boasts a far more flamboyant product name. Derived from the word 'iridescent', the Iridesse press references a natural phenomenon in which surfaces gradually change colour depending on your viewing angle and lighting situation. In everyday life, you can find the colour phenomenon in things like seashells, butterfly wings, certain minerals, and even soap bubbles.

As for Iridesse, it references the machine's ability to produce a multitude of speciality colours, like metallic shades, in one single print run. This is made possible by two additional ink compartments built into the press. Thus, the Iridesse features not only the four usual CMYK colour chambers, but also two interchangeable ink compartments used to print clear, crisp whites, and gold or silver-based hues. Traditional printing presses would require multiple print runs, manually orchestrated by the printer.

What is the FutureTech design competition?

To highlight these to-date unique printing abilities of the Iridesse, Fuji Xerox recently launched the Iridesse Production Press FutureTech Design Competition. As the name suggests, the contest prompts designers around the country to point to the future and to come up with creative, futuristic artwork that is then brought to life through the speciality colour applications of the Iridesse. An specifically appointed judging panel of industry experts will then choose eight winning entries on the basis of design originality, creativity, the use of speciality inks, and relevance to the FutureTech theme. The winners will share equal parts of the $8000 prize pot in the form of Apple gift cards.

"Traditionally designers or even brands themselves have been hesitant to usespeciality colours when designing for print as it was seen as a cost prohibitive and timely exercise," explains Roger Labrum, Senior Marketing Manager Graphic Communication Services at Fuji Xerox Australia. "However, the Fuji Xerox Iridesse Production Press has changed all that, opening up the freedom for designers to develop artwork with differentiation and cut through in a cluttered market."

Submissions close on Friday, 26 May 2019, 6pm AEST. The lucky winners are set to be announced the following Monday, 29 May on the Fuji Xerox competition website.

With the Fuji Xerox PIXI Awards earlier this year, Snap Circular Quay has already demonstrated they're an international print force to be reckoned with, taking out two awards in the Iridesse speciality colour categories.

Find your local Snap centre here.