Industry Awards
The Ault Award
The Ault Award, which has traditionally been the highest award that members of the ink industry can bestow on one of their peers, was established in memory of L.A. Ault, an early leader in the industry and a founder of the Ault and Wiborg Company. Each year nominations are sought from all U.S. and Canadian Ink Manufacturers for submission to a special Awards Committee, which makes the final selection.
The George Fuchs Award (Printing Ink Pioneer)
The Printing Ink Pioneer requirements are:
- Twenty years of industry service with one or several printing ink companies. Longevity is, in itself, not sufficient to qualify the nominee for a PIP Award.
- True service to the industry is also required.
- Service might include work on committees or as an officer of NAPIM or NPIRI.
- Service to local ink associations, production clubs, and the like might also be included.
- Service to allied associations serving the print industry will also be considered, but it must include significant service on allied association committees, conferences, or another substantive service, not just membership.
- Technical contribution is an important consideration, but routine technical service is not enough.
- Technical contributions should be real and could be in the area of laboratory, engineering, production, or product development. It might include the presentation of papers on behalf of the ink industry to prestigious groups of other industries.
- The practice has established that the recipient does not need to be from a NAPIM ink company member even though the nomination must originate from a member.
The TAM Service Award
It is the purpose of the TAM Service Award to recognize and honor an outstanding individual who, as a supplier to the printing ink industry, has played a major role in the progress of printing ink technology. Printing ink manufacturers, with the help of their suppliers, transform chemical raw materials into useful industrial end-products vital to the existence of the graphic arts. This complex conversion requires a high order of scientific competence achieved through research and development. New applications of raw materials, new methods of production, and new achievements in performance and service to the users (made possible by the dedicated service of the supplier industry’s technical personnel) have all contributed to the vitality of the ink industry today.
The Technical Achievement Award
Technical achievement in the form of research, development, or other technology is one of the characteristics sought in determining eligibility. Candidates also may have contributed outstanding service to the printing ink industry in management, marketing, public relations, and government affairs. Nominations are solicited from members of both the ink and raw materials industries and the final selection will be made by a committee composed of individuals from both TAM and Active Member companies.
The Technical Achievement Award is awarded for making contributions to the science of printing ink formulation, manufacture, or application.
Call for Technical Papers: 2026 Lawter Lecture Series
The National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Lawter Lecture Series, one of the printing ink and graphic arts industry’s most respected technical paper competitions.
Held in conjunction with the 2026 Annual Convention & Technical Conference, the Lawter Lecture Series provides a unique opportunity for technical professionals, researchers, formulators, and industry experts to showcase original research and innovative ideas while contributing to the advancement of the printing ink industry.
Topics of Interest
NAPIM welcomes original papers related to:
- Chemistry
- Ink formulation
- Manufacturing processes
- Raw materials
- Sustainability
- Technical innovations
- Other scientific and technical aspects of the printing ink industry
Submission Timeline
- August 1, 2026 – Title, abstract, and author information due
- August 15, 2026 – Final paper submission deadline
- September 1, 2026 – Participants notified of results
Awards & Recognition
Papers will be reviewed by the NAPIM Technical Board of Directors, which will select the winning submissions.
The top papers will receive:
- Industry-wide recognition
- Cash honorariums for first and second place
- The opportunity for the first-place winner to present their paper during the opening session of the 2026 Technical Conference
About the Lawter Lecture Series
Established in 1978, the Lawter Lecture Series is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious technical paper competitions in the printing ink and graphic arts industries. The program recognizes excellence in technical research while promoting knowledge sharing and innovation throughout the industry.
Submit Your Paper
To submit your title, abstract, and paper for consideration, please contact:
Courtney Truelove
Operation Director, NAPIM
[email protected]