Sappi Fine Paper names North American Printers of the Year winners
Meridian Printing of East Greenwich, R.I. among eight winners chosen from nearly 2,000 entries
Sappi Fine Paper North America today announced the recipients of its 2008 North American Printers of the Year gold award winners.  Culled from a field of almost 2,000 entries, the eight gold winners were selected from 48 silver and judges’ winners.  The eight gold winners will now compete for the distinguished Sappi International Printers of the Year title to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in October 2008.

Among the winners is Meridian Printing in East Greenwich, R.I., which won the top award in the Calendars category. 

The Sappi Printers of the Year awards competition recognizes print excellence and innovation for work produced on Sappi papers.  Printers may submit entries for any of the eight categories: Annual Reports, Books, Brochures, Calendars, Catalogs, General Print, Magazines and Printer’s Own Promotions. All entries were judged on overall impact of the piece; degree of difficulty in the printing techniques; and technical excellence.  A panel of four judges, selected from recognized print institutions and trade professions, insured the highest possible standards and integrity

Gold winners were announced at an elaborate gala and awards ceremony hosted in Dallas, Texas on May 17, 2008 at the Dallas Museum of Art.  The museum, which first opened in 1903, features over 23,000 pieces of art from ancient to modern times.

The 2008 Sappi North American Printers of the Year gold award winners are:

Annual Reports — Classic Color for The Private Bank Annual Report 2006; Books — O’Neil Printing for Kenworthy; Brochures — Continental Colorcraft for POM Wonderful Press Kit; Calendars — Meridian Printing for the 2008 Off the Line Calendar; Catalogs — The Hennegan Company, A Consolidated Graphics Company for Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Gift Book; General Print — Color West for Minutes to Midnight; Magazines — Transcontinental Yorkville–O’Keefe for Harry Spring/Summer 2007; and Printer’s Own Promotion — JohnsByrne Company for Komori (Reality UV).

The Sappi International Printers of the Year competition, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa on Oct. 2 - 4, is a global competition of the winners from the regional events in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.  From this prestigious field, judges will select nine individual recipients of the Sappi International Printers of the Year awards — the only global honor of its kind to recognize excellence in printing craftsmanship.

About Sappi Fine Paper N.A.
Sappi Fine Paper North America is a leading North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising.  Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi Fine Paper North America is known for innovation and quality.  Its brand names, including McCoy, Lustro Offset Environmental, Opus, and Somerset, are some of the industry’s most widely recognized and specified.  SFPNA is a division of Sappi Limited, a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in nine countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Visit www.sappi.com to learn more about Sappi Fine Paper North America.