HOW TO ENTER…

SUBMIT PRINTED PIECES

DUE DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2026 AT 12:00 PM

1. SELECT YOUR BEST PIECE(S): Select your best piece(s) to enter that you produced between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. You will need to send in two unmounted samples for each category you wish to enter. PIM will not return your submissions after the competition is complete. Remember to enter your pieces honestly. Only enter a piece under a category, if you did the work and had a direct role in the production of the printed piece(s) entered.

2. REVIEW CATEGORY LIST: Next, review the Category List for descriptions about where your projects will fit. One entry can be submitted into multiple categories. First entry is FREE. Each additional entry is $40.

3.COMPLETE ONLINE MASTER FORM: New online form! Complete one online Master Entry form for all submissions entered. The way you list your “Company Name” and “Entry Title” MUST match the ID forms and tags that you print off.

4. PRINT, FILL OUT & MAIL: Review the rules and program details. Next, print out the Item Entry forms (page 4) and ID Tags (page 5). Mail completed forms and entries to PIM’s Office (8011 34^th Avenue S. Suite 150, Bloomington, MN 55425) by the due date February 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM (CST).

5. JUDGING: In February, a team of industry experts will review all entries. An entry is judged first on technical expertise and quality of printing; next on design features and overall graphic appeal. Entries with visible technical flaws will be disqualified from the judging process. Please check your samples carefully. Judges will not know which company submitted the entry (except in the case of self-promotion category).

6. RESULTS: PIM will reach out with the results in March. You will be able to order duplicate or custom awards at this time. All awards and the Best of Show winner will announced at banquet. Promote and announce your wins in February or wait until after the banquet to announce or do both.

7. CELEBRATE: PIM’s Star Awards Banquet will be held on June 18, 2026 at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. We encourage everyone to attend the banquet to celebrate. The event link will be available in March.

HOW TO ENTER…

NOMINATE CO-WORKERS

DUE DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2026 AT 12:00 PM

1. REVIEW THE FORMS: There are nine different awards you can nominate co-workers for awards. Review the nomination process, click here. Next, click the below links to fill out the nomination forms…

• Creative Professional
• Customer Service Representative (CSR)
• Financial Professional
• Human Resource (HR) Professional
• Manager
• Production Professional
• Team
• Young Professional

2. FORMS: PIM is only accepting online nomination forms. No paper base or email forms will be accepted.

It is free to nominate co-works and there is no limit to how many people you can nominate.

Collect testimonials or supporting documents that help demonstrate why your employee is award-winning.

3. FILL OUT & SUBMIT: Complete the online forms by answering each question. There is a “SAVE AND RESUME LATER” button at the bottom of each form. By clicking this, your form will be saved for 30 days and a unique link will be created for you to access and resume working your form.

Please complete the online form(s) by the due date February 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM (CST).

3. JUDGING: In February, a committee will review all nominations.

4. RESULTS: PIM will reach out to the nominator with the results in March. Please do not tell the nominee if they won. The identity of the winner will remain a secret until the Star Awards Banquet. All nominations will be recognized and the winners will be announced at banquet. Winners will receive a framed certificate and everyone else will receive a certificate in a folder. 

5. CELEBRATE: PIM’s Star Awards Banquet will be held on June 18, 2026 at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. We encourage everyone to attend the banquet to celebrate. It is an honor to be nominated! The event link will be available in March.