CHESAPEAKE, VA – November 2019 –Synthetic paper manufacturer Yupo America (Yupo), based in Chesapeake, Va., was recently recognized by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA), the prestigious New York-based graphic arts industry magazine, with a national industry award for design creativity and technical printing excellence.
Now in its fifty-sixth year, the American Graphic Design Awards™ recognizes outstanding work of all kinds across all media. Yupo received the 2019 award for its branded 2020 desk calendar.
“Paraphrasing the Beatles, we ‘got by with a little help from our friends,’” said Bill Hewitt, Yupo’s marketing manager. Hewitt was referring to Professional Printing Center (PPC) also of Chesapeake, and O’Brien et al. Advertising (OEA) from Virginia Beach, Va. OEA is Yupo’s marketing agency and designer of the piece; PPC is Yupo’s next-door neighbor in Greenbrier Industrial Park and the printer that produced the final product using YUPO Synthetic Paper.
Gordon Kay, editor and publisher of GDUSA, said in a statement that roughly 10,000 entries were submitted yet after a highly selective process less than 10 percent were recognized as award winners. The accomplishment was all the more special because two other Hampton Roads companies also participated to produce the award-winning project.
Given annually to clients, vendors, suppliers, and friends as a holiday gift, Yupo’s calendar is known for its use of striking illustrations and eye-popping photography that is enhanced by textured applications, finishes, and print processes. OEA’s creative team selected images to correspond with monthly themes but also featured embellishments that best demonstrated the unique capabilities of YUPO paper. Because YUPO is not made from traditional wood-pulp but is a polypropylene synthetic substrate, print projects require experience using it and demand exacting technical skills as demonstrated by Professional Printing.
“Our concept inspired O’Brien’s design artistry, which in turn was given form by Professional’s technical printing prowess. The result is an award-winning labor of love.”