Two gold Sappi award winners for Australia

Local industry is again in with a good chance to win one of the prized 'Elephant Trophies' at the world titles in Cape Town in October.

A book about icons and a top-end photographic magazine took out gold medals at the annual Sappi Trading Printer of the Year awards in Sydney last night. Hyde Park Press and Sydney Allen will now go up against the best of the other regions - USA, Europe and Africa – at the world titles.

A total of 13 gold silver and bronze awards were claimed by local printers, including four by Andrew Neale of Scott Print WA. This is one of the best results for the region in seven years of competition in the world's most prestigious printing awards. 

Mark Bloustien, managing director, Hyde Park Press fronted to receive the golden gong for best book on behalf of his collaborators and staff for Icons & Art, a stunning leather case bound publication. Publisher, George Jaksic, (right)  Museum Imaginers and artist Michael Galovic (left) were on hand with Bloustien at the Luna Park presentation to share in the approbation. The volume of stunning iconic images comes complete with its own set of cotton gloves for archival handling. It is regarded as a likely favourite for wining the ultimate title. And if you're a punter looking for favourable signs, Bloustien admits to a hobby of collecting ... elephants!

Sydney photographer Bob Armstrong was again among the winners, for the second time in a row, with his magazine, Body of Work – Chamleon Series. A triumph of imagery, with printing by Sydney Allen and luxuriant coatings from Allkotes, the magazine easily stood out from competitors of the other Sappi Trading regions - Asia, and Central and South America. John Mangos, general manager of Sydney Allen stood up to accept the gold medal on behalf of all concerned; (from left) Darren Delaney, Allkotes; John Mangos, Sydney Allen; Bob Armstrong, Armstrong, Miller & McLaren; David Bull, CPI Papers.

According to Tim Shafer, managing director, Sappi Trading Australia, the overall standard of entries was a tribute to the level of craft in the local industry. He encouraged all printers to enter in for next year's competition. "It's important that we keep plugging away to win the Elephant Trophy. I know we can do it," he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Wayne Rau, ceo Sappi Trading, (pictured below on left with Tim Schafer) who is half way through his annual awards odessy that takes him to Mexico, Brazil, Australia and Hong Kong in the space of one week.

"The Australian prints had a strong showing in eight of the nine categories. Sappi Trading gold winners have brought home the ultimate Sappi International Printers of the Year awards in the past, and having seen the 2008 [trading] entries, I am sure that the gold award printers ... will again achieve in the international event to be held in Cape Town, South Africa later this year."
                                                   
Entry in the Sappi International Printer of the Year is open to everyone. The only condition is that the entry must use Sappi Paper. This year's gold winners were printed on Magno Satin.

For entry forms contact: <Tim.Schafer@sappi.com>