Finchmark crowned a successful evening for UK print at the ninth Sappi European Printer of the Year Awards by scooping a coveted gold award.


The Stockport-based firm won its award in the brochure category for the printing of advertising agency McCann Ericksons corporate brochure.


I am overjoyed, and this marks a tremendous achievement for us and for UK printers, said Finchmark chairman Jim McDermott.


It was the first time Finchmark had been entered in the awards, and McDermott said he was looking forward to representing the UK at the Sappi International Printer of the Year awards in Hong Kong in September.


Bring on Hong Kong, we are ready! he added.


Finchmark printed the McCann Erickson brochure on Magno Satin 200gsm. Peter Frankish of Howard Smith Paper submitted the entry.


The other UK winners were Garnett Dickinson Prints Geographical magazine, which won a bronze award in the magazine category, while Card Master collected a bronze award in the packaging and labels category for its One offer you cant miss entry.


In total, 31 printers from 13 countries were presented with gold, silver and bronze awards in the categories of annual reports, books, brochures, magazines, calendars, posters, packaging, labels and a general category.


This years awards took place at the Placio da Bolsa in Porto, Northern Portugal, with 2,200 entries submitted by 900 printers from all over Europe.


Story by Andy Scott