Sigler Companies Wins for Environmentally Sound Materials in Worldwide Print Competition

AMES, Iowa, December 8, 2008 – Sigler Companies has won a 2008 Premier Print Award in the category of Environmentally Sound Materials from the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation of Sewickley, Pa.

Billed by the PIA/GATF as the graphic arts industry's largest and most prestigious worldwide printing competition, the Premier Print Awards recognizes those responsible for the creation and production of outstanding print communications. Sigler Companies won a 2008 Certificate of Merit for its Ninth Annual Calendar, "Fifty Years of Redefining Excellence."

Competing against more than 4,200 entries from printing and graphic arts firms around the world, the judges selected Sigler's 50th-anniversary calendar for the award that honors technical excellence in the Environmentally Sound Materials category. Only 21 percent of total entries in this year's competition won an award.

The Sigler Companies Calendar for 2008-2009 is a free-standing desktop tent printed on Forest Stewardship Council Mixed Sources paper. Papers made with FSC-certified mixed sources contain FSC-certified virgin fiber along with FSC-controlled fiber and/or post-consumer content.

Products such as Sigler's award-winning calendar bearing the "FSC Mixed Sources" label support the development of responsible forest management worldwide. The wood comes from FSC-certified well-managed forests, company controlled sources and/or recycled material. Company controlled sources are controlled, in accordance with FSC standards, to exclude illegally harvested timber, forests where high conservation values are threatened, genetically modified organisms and violation of people's civil and traditional rights.

Sigler Companies holds certification as a "green" printer from the FSC as well as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Sigler has been accorded MasterPrinter status by the International Digital Enterprise Alliance (IDEAlliance®), and employs the concentric printing process, a revolutionary technology that uses 25 percent to 35 percent less ink than traditional printing.

For the first time in nine years, Sigler's creative team designed its annual calendar with months back-to-back to save paper on the collateral piece that is mailed to existing and prospective clients.

"While we pride ourselves on the attention and care we give every project at Sigler, it is especially gratifying to be recognized by the Premier Print Awards for the technical excellence of our 50th anniversary calendar," said Sigler Companies President Beth Cross. "Being singled out in the category of Environmentally Sound Materials is further validation of our companywide commitment to printing green."

Michael Makin, president and CEO of PIA/GATF, said: "Each year, the field of entries brings impressive work from some of the best printers in the world. Only a small number of companies receive any award. The craftsmanship and hard work of Sigler Companies enabled them to produce an award-winning piece in the face of some very stiff competition."

Sigler representatives received the award at the 2008 Premier Print Awards Gala on Oct. 26 in Chicago during Graph Expo® 2008. Graph Expo is an annual trade show for graphic design, digital prepress, printing, publishing and converting technology.

About Sigler Companies
Sigler Companies is the parent company of Innova Ideas & Services, a creative services agency with offices in Des Moines and Ames, Iowa; Sigler Printing, a premier printing and production house; and Signify Promotions, an apparel and promotions business. Sigler Companies was founded in Ames in 1958 as Sigler Printing. In its 50-year history, the company has continued to expand its capabilities, and currently offers clients across the United States an end-to-end solution of creative services, printing and promotions. Sigler Companies is privately held. Additional information is available at www.siglercompanies.com.

About PIA/GATF
With headquarters in Sewickley, Pa., PIA/GATF is the world's largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with more than 1.2 million employees. It serves the interests of more than 12,000 member companies. PIA/GATF, along with its affiliates, delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency and profitability of its members and the industry through advocacy, education, research and technical information. For more information about the Premier Print Awards, contact Sara Welsh at 412.259.1705.

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CONTACT

Scott Stuart
Innova Ideas & Services
515.697.7226
scott.stuart@sigler.com