Renee Hadlow's dedication to her craft is evident in how she spent the afternoon at the Printing Museum, just hours before collecting six awards at the prestigious Pride In Print Awards. Established in 1993, these awards represent the pinnacle of recognition for the best visual print communication products in New Zealand.
The awards ceremony, held at the Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, attracted over 500 guests from across New Zealand, all gathered to celebrate the best of hundreds of entries.
"Entries come from all over the commercial print industry. Anyone can enter—whether it's display packaging, specialty print, wedding stationery, stands, design, print production, or even sculptural art forms," Renee explains.
While this isn’t Renee's first competition, in 2023 she "quietly sat at home and won two gold awards." However, this year, she was personally invited to attend the event, where she was awarded the following:
- Category Winner: Print Finish - Premium Stationery Sets
- Category Winner: Print Industry Promotion - Premium Stationery Sets
- Category Winner: Letterpress - Premium Stationery Sets
- Gold Winner: Specialty Products - The Black Barn Wedding Invite
- Gold Winner: Print Finishing - Premium Stationery Sets
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Gold Winner: Print Industry Promotion - Premium Stationery Sets
"When I first entered the Pride in Print Awards, I had to ask a lot of questions, and I was nervous about attending—being a 'one-woman independent studio.' I would have done it from afar this year too if they hadn't insisted that I attend," she smiles.
For those unfamiliar with the technique, letterpress is a traditional printing method that dates back to the 15th century. It involves pressing an inked, raised surface (such as metal type or an image plate) onto paper or another medium to create a printed image or text.
"What I do is unusual commercially, and in the fine art world, it's unusual too. But having the print industry's endorsement and encouragement now makes me 'feel part of the industry.'"
So, what else does this mean? "It's always been important to me that I deliver a top-quality product. Until now, it's been, 'If the clients are happy, I'm happy.' But the judges' feedback is reassuring—it's good to know I'm working at a high calibre."
Setting aside self-doubt, she adds, "It's affirming that all those hours tweaking, making adjustments, and getting things right have all been worthwhile."
Paying for Quality and Craftsmanship
Letterpress printing produces a distinct, tactile impression on paper, which can be both seen and felt. Known for its crisp lines and rich textures, it's often used today for specialty items like wedding invitations, business cards, and art prints.
"Letterpress is one of the more expensive forms of printing due to the time and materials involved. For the customer, trusting in the recognition of an industry standard is amazing. It doesn't change my attitude—I'm still stressing, but it’s a nice reminder: 'You can do this!'"
Reflecting on the industry, Renee notes, "I really realised that we are few and far between. What we are doing now is local; otherwise, you might as well go and order it from China."
What Does the Future Hold?
Renee's current collection includes "brand collateral, wedding stationery, and art prints," but she envisions her business evolving into a full-service creative studio. "I've always been inspired by design studios," she says, mentioning a collection of 'heroes' in the design and letterpress world.
Renee has big plans for the future of her business, proudly announcing, "It's been my busiest year yet." And if the awards are anything to go by, it can only get better!
Head to https://www.thearmarieroom.com/ to see more examples of Renee's award winning artwork.
