The 2012 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge, a design competition recognizing excellence in natural veneer and wood applications regardless of what company the material is sourced from, has an entry deadline of June 1.

Categories include architectural woodworking, cabinetry, furniture, specialty products, store fixtures, and student design. Entry forms and guidelines are available at www.veneertech.com, and from Veneer Technologies sales representatives and distributors.

“A key purpose of the Craftsman’s Challenge is to recognize all the people in the veneer distribution chain as well as the designer,” Veneer Tech vice president John Varner said in a statement. “This promotes industry creativity and strengthens supply relationships.”

A cash award of $3,000 will be made to the creator of the grand-prize winning entry. The distributor of the veneer for the grand-prize-winning entry will receive $2,000 and the corresponding distributor salesman will receive $1,000. Category winners receive $1,000 each. Awards will be announced at IWF 2012 in Atlanta.

The judges are Michael Bell, president-elect of the Architectural Woodwork Institute and a senior manager with Allegheny Millwork in Lawrence, Pa.; Tim Fixmer, member of the WoodLINKS USA board of directors and publisher of CabinetMaker+FDM; and studio furniture maker Alfred Sharp, president of The Furniture Society.

The competition is co-sponsored by Veneer Technologies and CabinetMaker+FDM of CCI Media. Veneer Technologies is located in Newport, N.C., and specializes in natural face veneers, sheet veneer and edgebanding. The company also offers exotic hardwood lumber and reconstituted veneer products.