Brother and TAFE NSW announce 2026 Excellence in Digital Decorating Award

Brother, in partnership with TAFE NSW and GJS, has announced Nina Zivotic as the recipient of the 2026 BIA Excellence in Digital Decorating Award, recognising outstanding emerging talent in the digital decoration industry.

Now in its fourth year, the award is presented annually to a TAFE NSW student completing the Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts who demonstrates excellence in digital decoration. The recipient receives the equivalent of a full year of paid tuition courtesy of Brother and has their name added to a permanent Honour Roll displayed at TAFE NSW.

Zivotic came to the course with a passion for graphic design and hands-on experience with DIY printing techniques, including screen printing. She enrolled in the Certificate II program to formalise her skills and turn her creative interests into a career.

“Working with the Brother DTG/DTF printer was a real eye-opener. Coming from a screen-printing background, I didn’t realise how much was possible with digital printing. Seeing my bold designs come out so crisply on a series of t-shirts I’d made and getting to watch my ideas come to life was incredible,” said Zivotic.

“Winning this award has been a great personal honour. It marks the start of what I hope will be a very fulfilling career in print and design. My plan is to continue my studies while working towards starting my own business and building my inventory,” she added.

The award forms part of a broader initiative launched in 2023 by Brother International Australia, TAFE NSW, and GJS. The program is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing students with real-world experience using professional technology. Through the partnership, GJS installed a Brother GTXpro Bulk DTG/DTF printer at TAFE NSW, and Brother supplies free ink annually to maximise student learning opportunities.

“Nina is exactly the kind of student this award was created for—someone who came in with a creative spark and used the technology to take her skills to a completely new level. Supporting emerging talent like Nina isn’t just about giving back; it’s a genuine investment in the future of our industry,” said Greg Benardos, National Manager, DTG at Brother International Australia.

“The printing industry continues to evolve rapidly, and it’s vital that the next generation of digital decorators have access to the tools and training they’ll be using in the workforce. Brother is proud to continue that investment, and we couldn’t do it without the strategic and ongoing support of GJS,” Benardos added.

“The collaboration with Brother and GJS continues to have a real impact on our students’ learning experience. It’s one thing to teach the theory, but providing access to industry-leading technology makes all the difference. Nina’s award is a direct result of that access and support,” said Craig Rollins, Head Teacher of Printing at TAFE NSW.

Zivotic also paid tribute to her TAFE NSW instructors. “I would like to thank my instructors, Dawn and Warwick, for sharing their years of expertise and giving me so much encouragement to pursue my dreams,” she said.

“We’re proud to continue championing initiatives that elevate education and build capability across the Australian print sector. Nina’s win is further proof that when industry and education work together, everyone benefits,” adds Greg Stone, Managing Director of GJS.