Sappi Trading, the international trading division of global pulp and paper leader, Sappi, announced the winners of its prestigious Printers of the Year awards for the Asia region at a ceremony held at the Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong on 4th June. 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.

Awards are made to printers from the four regions (Central and South America, Asia and Australasia) 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.

In the Asia region, printers from the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan and India garnered awards in nearly every category, with printers from Singapore and Malaysia also making a good showing. Australia dominated the Australasia region. In Central America, Mexico’s printers dominated the regions awards, while Chile and Brazil accounted for all of the awards in the South America region.

This year’s international panel of judges comprised Elaine Pook (UK), Aldo Faliani (Italy), Carlos Alvarado (Mexico), Hubert Justine (France) and Bernhard Nahm (Germany), who are experienced and respected members of the international paper and print industry.

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 award winners
Asia Region

BOOKS
Ray Fong Print Co Ltd
Gold award for The Flying Friend – The Photography Collection of Feng Ying-Ko book, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 170 g/m2

Leo Paper Products Ltd
Silver award for the Rainforest book, printed on Sappi’s HannoArt Silk 150 and 130 g/m2

C & C Offset Printing Co Ltd
Bronze award for the Shang Bronzes From HanZhong book, printed on Sappi’s HannoArt Silk 170 g/m2

BROCHURES
Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd
Gold award for the Utility Printers Catalog brochure, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 300 and 170 g/m2

Reliance Printing (Shenzhen) Co Ltd
Silver award for the Tesiro brochure, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 130 g/m2

Red & Blue Color Printing Co Ltd
Bronze award for The CLS-Class (Mercedes Benz) brochure, printed on Sappi’s Next Generation 12C Gloss 200 and 150 g/m2

CALENDARS
 Thomson Press (India) Ltd
Gold award for the BC Sen Jewellers – 2007 Calendar, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 220 g/m2

Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd
Silver award for the Philips -2007 Calendar, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 300 g/m2

CATALOGUES
Yung Hwaw Color Printing Co Ltd
Silver award for the East Eastimagebank catalogue, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 250 and 150 g/m2

Thomson Press (India) Ltd
Bronze award for the Study by Janak catalogue, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 200 and 170 g/m2

MAGAZINES
CS Graphics Shanghai Co Ltd
Silver award for the Noblesse – July 2006 magazine, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 100 g/m2

Craft Print International Ltd
Bronze award for the Timecraft – Savour the moment magazine, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 130 g/m2

PACKAGING AND LABELS
Smartprint (HK) Ltd
Silver award for the Seven Slim – 7 Color Diet pack, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 350 g/m2

Flexoprint (M) Sdn Bhd
Bronze award for the Spa Strawberry Twist pack, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 90 g/m2

PRINTER’S OWN PROMOTION
Thomson Press (India) Ltd
Gold award for the Thomson Press Showcase, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 350, 220 and 170 g/m2

Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd
Silver award for the Pragati – 2006/07 Calendar, printed on Sappi’s Magno Star 250 g/m2

C & C Offset Printing Co Ltd
Bronze award for the Publication and Commercial Printing Division, printed on Sappi’s Magno Satin 200 g/m2