The annual awards programme is part of the Sappi International Printers of the Year competition, which draws entries from all over the world and recognises exceptional printing done on the group's range of fine paper.
"Sappi Trading Printers of the Year reflects our commitment to promote and recognise print excellence everywhere our products can be found and our belief in the presence and growth potential of high quality printers across the Trading region," says Sappi Trading CEO, Wayne Rau.
"Printing is more than just ink on paper. Printing is both a physical expression and an emotional experience. Like no other medium, print captivates, engages and fulfils. As an industry, that is our competitive advantage."
Sappi Trading awards are made to printers from four regions (Australasia, South and Central America, and Asia) in nine categories: for annual reports, books, brochures, calendars, catalogues, magazines, packaging and labels, general print and for printer's own promotions.
Category winners go on to compete for the Sappi International Printers of the Year awards in their respective categories.
The Australasia region was dominated by Australian printers, while in South America, printers from Brazil and Chile accounted for all the awards in this region. Mexico dominated the Central American region's awards ceremony.
In Asia, the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan and India acquired awards in nearly every category, with printers from Singapore and Malaysia also making a good showing.
"When the winners go forward to represent Sappi Trading at the international event to be held in the historic city of Boston in the United States of America in October this year, it is with the secure knowledge that they are the best of the best," says Rau.
This year's international panel of judges comprised Carlos Alvarado (Mexico), Elaine Pook (UK), Aldo Faliani (Italy), Hubert Justine (France) and Bernhard Nahm (Germany).
All are experienced and respected members of the international paper and print industry, and represent a wide range of technical, management, marketing, graphic arts and academic skills. They also represent the top industry associations and federations in their respective countries.
Judging criteria for the Sappi Printers of the Year awards are rigorous, with judges examining entries for technical proficiency, overall impact, the degree of difficulty involved in the printing process and the quality of the finishing.
Each entry is assigned a unique number to ensure impartiality and anonymity throughout the judging process, and winners are only identified once the awards have been allocated.
Sappi Trading Printers of the Year Australasia
Region
Annual reports – A bronze award was given to Platypus Graphics for its entry ‘Ingeus Annual Review’ designed by Erakovic Creative for Ingeus.
Brochures – A silver award was given to D&D Global Group for its ‘Ford Ranger’ entry designed by J Walter Thompson.
Also in the category of Brochures, a bronze award was given to Platypus Graphics for its entry 'The Gold Standard in Hotel Management' designed by Cooee Advertising for Rendezvous.
Catalogues – A silver award was given to Scott Print for its entry 'Kimberley Fine Diamonds Catalogue' designed by Will Martin for Kimberley Fine Diamonds.
Magazines – A gold award was presented to Offset Alpine Printing for its entry 'Body of Work' designed by Armstrong Miller McClaren.
Also in the Magazines category, a silver award was given to PMP Print for its entry 'Marie Claire Australia – December 2006' printed for Pacific Magazines.
Printers' Own Promotion – A silver award was given to D&D Global Group for its 'D&D&U7' entry designed by D&D Global Group Studio 101.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter