PrintIt - Scotland : FAQ

The competition can be delivered at any stage of the Standard Grade Course from April with the S4 class to June with the S3 class. If you wish to enter Year 1, register by 26 March 2010 and entries must be in by 30 June 2010. If you wish to enter Year 2, register by 28 January 2011 and entries must be in by 1 July 2011. (Make sure you tell us which year you wish to register for when completing the registration form). Back to top

My technical department won’t install software without a license. Where do I get a copy?

There is no license – you are free to install and copy the printdynamics™ and Print Companion software from the PrintIT! Scotland website but let us know if you need a CD-Rom version of the Print Companion by calling the PrintIT! team on 01235 432017. Back to top

Do the designs have to be computer generated?

No. We will accept hand-drawn or computer generated entries to the competition. Back to top

Can entries be submitted on a disk?

No. Due to the large amount of schools and students participating in the competition, all entries must be received on paper, clearly showing the students name and school.

N.B. IF THE GUIDELINES ARE TRANSGRESSED IN ANY WAY THE JUDGES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW THE ENTRY FROM THE COMPETITION. Back to top

Can my students work on A3 paper?

Yes! However, all additional sheets must be attached FIRMLY to the relevant cover sheet downloadable from the extra resources area. Please bear in mind that the judges need to be able to inspect the entries quickly and easily, without the need to search for the relevant information. Back to top

Can we print, ‘make’ and submit our design and supporting merchandise?

Yes but as we cannot guarantee safe return of the items we suggest that you supply printed photographs of the mock-ups.

NB: WORK SUBMITTED ON CD-ROM WILL NOT BE ADMISSABLE. Back to top

I need extra copies of the student guide/teacher work book. Who do I contact?

We can supply extra copies however feel free to download them from the student or teacher areas of this website. (Remember you must login first). Back to top

How many entries can we send in per school?

Teachers may submit all the entries from their class. Back to top

Twinning – When will I know if I have been twinned with a local print company?

We will only attempt to twin you with a local company if you confirm that you would use this resource when you register with us. Every effort will be made to twin you, however, we cannot guarantee that we can find you a printer to twin with because it is essentially voluntary and printers can be very busy. Back to top

Twinning – Will they contact me or do I make the initial contact?

You will be supplied with full contact details. It is up to you to contact your twinning partner and arrange a visit. Back to top

Twinning – What support can I expect the twinning company to give?

The company will arrange to either release at least one person to visit your school for a discussion about the printing industry or invite you and the students to the printplant for a visit. They will expect to talk to the students about life in the industry, help with understanding work-flows and processes and guidance with their competition work. The twinning company will have access to down-loads from our website and will have other general information, but if you have a very specific topic you would like them to cover you must raise this before their visit.

We are encouraging twinning companies to keep their links with the school and we understand that a visit to a printing company is an invaluable experience. This however is negotiable between the school and the print company. In agreeing to twin with your school, the company has not agreed to host a visit – please don’t be afraid to ask though! Back to top

What is the closing date for the competition?

Entries for Year 1 competition must be received no later 30 June 2010. Entries for Year 2 must be received by no later than 1 July 2011. Back to top

When will the school be informed of winners?

If you have not received any notification by mid-October of any competition year you should assume that your student/s has/have not been successful. Back to top

Will all of the student competition entries be returned to the school?

We can only return entries if schools supply a suitably sized STAMPED, addressed envelope when they submit their entries. Do not send pre-franked envelopes, the post office will not accept them. We regret that we are unable to return any entries if no SAE is provided. We suggest that all schools photocopy their entries BEFORE submitting them for competition. Back to top

I still need help! Who do I contact?

For any issues relating to Fairtrade, please go to their website (see below) Otherwise, please call the PrintIT! helpline on 0845 009 1565 or 01235 432017.

www.fairtrade.co.uk

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Do we need to get our entries printed to submit to the competition?

No, we only need to see the designs. However, if you are easily able to produce a printed sample we would be pleased to see it. Back to top

Twinning – Is it essential to win the competition?

No. Twinning can be very useful for the school and the printer but you will not be penalized if you can’t find a twin. It does not reduce your chances of winning the competition. Back to top

I understand that the lesson plans have been curriculum mapped. How can I be sure that PrintIT! Scotland has ensured their relevance to Standard Grade Graphic Communication?

The competition has been devised in conjunction with practising teachers to work within the curriculum so that teachers and students can benefit from the knowledge acquired as part of their Standard Grade Studies. Back to top

My students are finding the use of the Fairtrade mark restrictive. Can we change the shape of the logo to suit their designs?

The FAIRTRADE Mark must not be altered in any way. The shape of the mark must remain as per the detailed spec in the Student Guide. We appreciate that this may seem restrictive, however Fairtrade have given us a live brief which provides the students with a feel for working in a real-life situation. Any designs which do not adhere to Fairtrade’s brief will not be considered.

NB: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Back to top