The winner of the 2011/2012 PrintIt! competition has commented on her trip to Hunkeler Innovationdays which formed part of her prize. Aleesha Patel, a student at the Beauchamp College in Leicestershire, was shown around the exhibition by Mark Bristow, managing director of competition sponsor Friedheim International.

At the event in Lucerne, Switzerland, Patel was able to meet 'makers and shakers' from global print companies and learn about some of the latest developments in the industry, such as Hunkeler's 'futuristic' laser cutter.

"It was a really interesting event that was different to anything I have done before," she comments. "It was very nice to have Friedheim show us around the event and explain how some of the different print processes work. It has definitely opened my eyes to the career prospects within the print industry."

Patel's winning entry into the PrintIt! competition, which aims to raise awareness of the print and paper industry by asking young learners to design a promotional product, also netted her a Fujifilm SLR camera and a Pantone Capsure tool, as well as a QuarkXpress 9 licence, a Pantone essential kit and a Fujifilm camera for her school.