Printers from across Canada and the United States are invited to submit their best work of 2015 for industry recognition in this popular annual competition. Sappi North America (Boston, MA) is a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products including high quality Coated Printing Papers, Specialized Cellulose, Release Papers and Specialty Packaging. Winners will be recognized for print excellence and innovation across several categories for work produced primarily on Sappi paper. Since its inception in 1999, the Sappi Printer of the Year Awards program has been regarded as the printing industry’s most respected accolade.
“The art of print permeates our day-to-day lives more than the majority of us even realize. Since day one, Sappi has worked with some of the best printers in the world and remains in awe of their commitment to precision and creativity,” said Patti Groh, Director of Marketing Communications, Sappi North America. “We always look forward to recognizing the incredible work they do, and as we head into our 19th year of these awards, we’re expecting to receive the most creative and innovative entries thus far.”
Deadline for entries
To enter, printers may submit any work printed predominantly on Sappi paper in Canada or the U.S. between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. Entries must be received by Friday, February 26, 2016. For each entry, six copies of the printed piece must be submitted by mail, along with one copy of the entry form. Each printer may submit an unlimited number of entries, but each entry must be accompanied by an individual form.
Award categories
The award categories include: Brochures; Catalogues; Cross-Channel Communications; Digital Print; Direct Mail; Magazines (sheetfed); Magazines (web); Printer’s Own Promotions; or General Print, which can be any printed material not included in the given categories.
Awards and rewards
- The Silver Award: Five Silver Award winners will be chosen in each of the categories and will receive a framed certificate for themselves and their client(s).
- The Gold Award: Winners represent the top entry from each category and are entered as finalists for the Printer of the Year Award. The Gold Award winners will receive up to 5,000 pounds of Sappi paper.
- The Printer of the Year Award: Selected from the top Gold Award recipients, the Printer of the Year will receive esteemed recognition, 5,000 pounds of Sappi paper and $20,000 in support for future marketing and branding initiatives.
All winners’ entries and contact information will be featured on an updated web page in Sappi’s Printer of the Year online resource for ultimate exposure to designers, print buyers and corporations.
Judging
All entries will be judged on overall impact of the piece, degree of difficulty in the printing techniques and technical excellence. A panel of judges was chosen from recognized print institutions and trade professions including: Lauren Elliot, Principal of Wicked Good Print Production; Ken Lantz, Studio Producer at Ashfield Healthcare Communications; Dr. James K. Tenorio, Professor Emeritus in the Cross-Media Graphics Management Program at University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University; and John Tenwinkel, Program Manager at Shutterfly.
For more information on Sappi’s Printer of the Year Awards please visit: www.sappi.com/na/poy.
