Sappi  awards 
Sappi Trading announced the winners of its Printers of the Year awards for the Asia region at a ceremony held at The Westin, Kuala Lumpur last week. 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 has become the premium showcase for the finest printers in the Sappi Trading region, comprising Asia, Australasia, Central and South America," says Sappi Trading managing director, Hugh Martin.

"As a global market leader in the manufacture of coated fine paper, we are proud to recognise and honour these printers for their excellence in print achievement."

Awards are made to printers from the four regions in nine categories: for annual reports, books, brochures, calendars, catalogues, magazines, packaging and labels, general print and for printer’s own promotion. Gold award winners go on to compete for the Sappi International Printers of the Year Award in their respective categories.

In the Asia region, printers from the China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan and India garnered awards in nearly every category, with printers from Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka also making a good showing.

"We were struck by the originality and quality of the work submitted by Asia’s printers," says Martin.

"The winners, selected by a panel of expert judges, particularly impressed us with a range of work that demonstrates the timeless power of print."

This year’s international panel of judges comprised Angus Clark (UK), Aldo Faliani (Italy), Greg Grace (Australia), Peter Stadler (Germany) and Ronald Widdershoven (Netherlands).

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 Trading 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.

"Innovation - and only innovation - will be the differentiator of the future, and Sappi Trading Printers of the Year aims to celebrate innovation and distinction in the use of the printed medium.

"It also enables us to showcase Sappi’s world-class range of fine paper, the paper of choice for quality print communications across the globe," Martin concludes.

Sappi Trading printers of the Year award winners : Asia Region

BOOKS

Elegance Printing and Book Binding Co Ltd, People’s Republic of China
Gold award for the In Grand Style book, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 170g/ m²

Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd, India
Silver award for the "Ladakh" Coffee Table Book, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 225g/m²

C&C Joint Printing Co (HK) Ltd, People’s Republic of China
Bronze award for the Iron Bowl Gold book, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 170g/m²

BROCHURES

I-G-S-D Artprinting Ent Co Ltd, Taiwan
Gold award for the Mercedes Benz (The B-Class Sports Tourers) brochure, printed on Sappi’s HannoArt Gloss 200g/m²

Thomson Press (India) Ltd, India
Silver award for the CTC Plaza: Jewels Diamond Boutique brochure, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 270g/m²

A&P Co-ordinator Pte Ltd, Singapore
Bronze award for the Mercedes-Benz - Always ahead of its time, The S-Class brochure, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 170g/m²

CALENDARS

Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd, India
Silver award for the Gopika Chowfla 2006 Table Calendar, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 300g/m²

Li Yi Colour Printing Co Ltd, Taiwan
Bronze award for the Food Industry Research and Development Institute calendar, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 200g/m²

CATALOGUES

Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd, India
Gold award for the Omega Watches catalogue, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 170g/m²

Ngai Heng Book Binder Pte Ltd, Singapore
Silver award for the Grand Hyatt Seoul catalogue, printed on HannoArt Silk 170g/m²

Asia One Printing Ltd, Hong Kong
Bronze award for the Shanghai Tang - Catalogue for Girl catalogue, printed on Sappi’s HannoArt Silk 300g/m² and 170g/m²

GENERAL PRINT

Smartprint (HK) Ltd, Hong Kong
Silver award for the Discover Hong Kong Year 2006 promotional brochure, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 250g/m² and 170g/ m² & Magno Star 150g/ m²

Interprint Prepress Service, Taiwan
Bronze award for the Georg Jensen January 2006 Newsletter, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 250g/m² and 170g/ m²

MAGAZINES

KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, Singapore
Silver award for Solitaire 21, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 115g/m²

Ringier Print (HK) Ltd, Hong Kong
Bronze award for HIM (Issue 56, March 2005), printed on Sappi’s Royal Roto Brilliant 90g/m²

PACKAGING AND LABELS

Flexoprint (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Silver award for the Syaza Jelita pack, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 90g/m²

Print Care (Ceylon) Ltd, Sri Lanka
Bronze award for the Mlesna Darjeeling Tea pack, printed on Sappi’s Leine Teepack 70g/m²

PRINTER’S OWN PROMOTION

Rakesh Press, India
Silver award for the Rakesh Press Folder, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 300g/m²

Thomson Press (India) Ltd, India
Bronze award for the Thomson Press Wall Calendar 2006, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 250g/m²