The week Vladimir Putin’s in town and a chunk of the Russian navy is off the Queensland coast, Australia’s NPA committee is urging print lovers to ‘join the revolution’.

And there’s a suitably graphic theme to the 2015 National Print Awards, entries for which have just opened.

Closing date for entries is December 12, and presentations will be made at a dinner in Sydney on May 15 at the close of the PrintEx 15 exhibition.

Organisers are already into the spirit of it: “ Can you hear the people shout,” urges a media release calling is out for those with ink in their veins and a love of print in their hearts to gather under the awards banner.

The quest is characterised as a chance for those who understand the power of print – print professionals, creatives, marketers, packagers and communications experts – to stand up and prove its supremacy by entering their best work.

“Print is powerful, all the research tells us that,” says NPA Chair Susan Heaney, “and in the face of ever increasing competition, the best way for all of us to demonstrate just how influential and effective it can be is to continue to strive to produce our work to the very highest standards.”

This year’s ‘new look’ event features direct entry into one of 17 revamped and consolidated categories with the Currie Group award for the most innovative use of imaging in print and the Heidelberg award for excellence in craft judged from gold winning entries, and the Fuji-Xerox effectiveness award requiring a separate entry.

Entries – which will be judged in February – must have been produced in Australia between September 1, 2013 and December 30, 2014. Details and entry forms from www.nationalprintawards.com.au or email printawards@printnet.com.au