PIM Star Awards
Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) Star Awards is a prestigious program that honors excellence across every aspect of the graphic communications supply chain from innovative content creation to flawless print production and beyond. Whether you are looking to showcase your company’s finest printed work or recognize a standout team member, the Star Awards are your opportunity to shine. This is more than an awards program, it is a platform to tell your story, honor craftsmanship, and inspire excellence.
2027 Call for Entries will open late fall 2026. Do not wait until the last minute. Start collecting your top 2026 printed projects and gathering testimonials or endorsements for the individuals you want to nominate NOW. This is your chance to shine in front of the entire Midwest.
2026 STAR AWARDS BANQUET – Registration Now Open
The Star Awards Banquet is your opportunity to celebrate the hard work of your team and recognize the achievements of your peers. Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, networking, and celebration! PIM’s 2026 Star Awards Banquet will be held on June 18, 2026 at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America (view on a map).
BENEFITS OF WINNING
Winning a Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) Star Award offers more than just a trophy, it is a strategic opportunity to elevate your brand, recognize your team, and grow your business. Here is what you gain:
- Industry Recognition: Increase your company’s visibility and credibility across the Midwest printing and graphic communications industry.
- Media Exposure: A press release announcing all winners will be distributed to leading trade publications. Putting your name in front of key decision-makers.
- Exclusive Branding Rights: Winners receive exclusive use of the official Star Awards winner logo for websites, email signatures, social media, and promotional materials.
- Client & Partner Engagement: Present a personalized award to your customers or project collaborators to showcase the success of your joint efforts. A powerful relationship-building tool.
- Feature in PIM Publications: Gain additional exposure in PIM’s printed newsletter, The Loupe, and the annual Print Buyers Guide & Membership Directory.
- Free Entry to National Competition: All Best of Category winners are automatically entered — at no cost to you — into the Americas Print Awards, a prestigious national competition. Entry fees are covered by PIM.
2026 Call for Entries is closed. Get ready for next year, 2027 Entries will open fall 2026. 2026 forms are below for information only, new 2027 forms will be posted in the fall.
HOW TO ENTER FOR…
SUBMIT PRINTED PIECES
1. SELECT YOUR BEST PIECE(S): Select your best piece(s) to enter that you produced between January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. 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.
*New 2027 forms will be posted in the fall 2026*
3. COMPLETE ONLINE MASTER FORM: Complete one online Master Entry form for all submissions entered. One form per company. The way you list your “Company Name” and “Entry Title” must match the Item Entry forms and ID tags that you print off (step 4).
*New 2027 forms will be posted in the fall 2026*
4. PRINT & FILL OUT: Review the rules and program details. Next, print out the Item Entry form (page 4) and ID Tags (page 5).
*New 2027 forms will be posted in the fall 2026*
5. MAIL: Mail completed forms (Item Entry Form & ID Tag) and your entries to PIM’s Office(8011 34th Avenue S. Suite 150, Bloomington, MN 55425) by the due date.
6. 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).
7. 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 in June at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. We encourage everyone to attend the banquet to celebrate.
2026 Call for Entries is closed. Get ready for next year, 2027 Entries will open fall 2026. 2026 forms are below for information only, new 2027 forms will be posted in the fall.
HOW TO ENTER FOR…
NOMINATE CO-WORKERS
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. *New 2027 forms will be posted in the fall 2026*
- 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.
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 in June 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!
