The International Printer of the Year awards presented annually by South African paper manufacturer Sappi, were awarded October 3rd in Cape Town, South Africa. One of the nine prized cast-bronze elephant trophies went to Transcontinental Yorkville-O'Keefe of Toronto, securing first place in the magazines category.

The Sappi awards received over 6,000 entries from around the world. Gold winners are identified four different regions of the globe in nine categories (Annual Reports, Books, Brochures, Calendars, Catalogues, General Print, Magazines, Packaging & Labels and Printer’s own Promotion). Regional Gold winners are invited to the final event where overall winners are announced. This year only two companies from North America received top honours: Transcontinental Yorkville-O'Keefe and Continental Colorcraft of Monterey Park, California (Brochures category).

Going forward, the International Sappi Printers of the Year awards will become a biennial event, with the next ceremony happening in 2010.