Sappi Awards to judge 'like against like' in revamped worldwide print competition

The final sole Sappi International Printer of the Year, was awarded last weekend at a spectacular ceremony in Cape Town, to US firm, Anderson Lithograph. It closes a chapter in the history of the prestigious international competition and opens a new era that will see Australian and New Zealand printers able to compete in their own areas of specialisation – annual reports; books; brochures; calendars; catalogues; general print; magazines; packaging and labels;’ and printer’ own promotion.

“It’s the type of competition where we might have won in our magazine category,“ said Michael Kinnemont of Offset Alpine, the only local printer to make it through to the world titles, (pictured centre with Jonathan Leslie, CEO Sappi, on left, and High Martin, managing director, Sappi Trading). “It only makes sense to compare apples with apples.” Offset Alpine was represented with its magazine production of Australian Geographic.

This viewpoint was reinforced by Greg Grace, LIA Fellow and Sappi Award judge who was termed the “driving force for change.” He said he was delighted to see the awards broaden their appeal. “The Sappi Printer of the Year Awards are truly the best of the best and it is important that entrants are judged in their appropriate category. To win a Sappi trophy you have to be the best in the world,” he said.

It is this reputation that has fuelled the intense competition over the past four years since the Sappi Print of the Year awards went truly international. Past winners relate the impact such recognition gives to their business and even the regional gold award winners – from Sappi Trading (which includes those regions where the company has no paper mills i.e. Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Central America, and South America), North America, Europe and Africa – get potentially lucrative publicity, valuable connections, and high industry profile.

However there was always the difficulty of trying to compare such diverse examples of printing as cigar boxes and labels with glossy magazines, promotional pieces with high-end catalogues. While the competition is always intense it is inevitable that the more stylish products are likely to be the favourites. This year’s Sappi Printer of the Year award went to a stunning brochure for a Cadillac XLR, beating out the other regional winners; an art book ’88 Husains in Oils from Pragati Offset India; another brochure, All the world’s a stage from last year’s winner, Fontegraphica of Italy; and a calendar The Big 5 from South African printer, Ultra Litho.

The new format was launched by André Oberholzer, corporate affairs, who also announced that next year’s glittering award ceremony will be held in Shanghai. "In addition to growing the competition to become the only global one of its kind in the industry, we continually assess the way in which print excellence is appreciated, especially in regards to the expectations of the final end users of our products," he said.

According to Tim Schafer, managing director, Sappi Trading Australia, the new format is certain to increase participation on a local level.

“It makes it a level playing field where people are competing against those they should be measured against. “ he said. He is encouraging printers to contact their paper merchants for details of how to enter. The only stipulation is that the entry must be printed on Sappi stock.









































The Sappi Printer of the Year Awards is always a swell affair and this year's event at Cape Town was no exception. Enjoying the country's and the company's hospitality are (left to right) Ken and Christine Doggett; Michael and Kym Kinnimont; and Bev and Tim Shafer.