NEW YORK--Oct. 31, 2003--Meridian Printing of East Greenwich, RI has been named the "2003 North American Printer of the Year" by Sappi Fine Papers, the largest coated freesheet paper company in the world. Meridian was honored for its work on the "100 Years of Harley-Davidson" commemorative edition book. The full-color, 288-page book chronicles one of the country's most celebrated companies and the motorcycles that made it famous. The book was designed by Pentagram, produced by Melcher Media, Inc. and published by Bulfinch Press, both of New York City. The book was printed on a six-color Heidelberg press at Meridian's East Greenwich facility. The annual award is one of the most coveted in the printing industry. Sappi received more than 3,100 entries from over 600 American and Canadian printers alone. The pieces were judged on overall appearance, degree of difficulty, technical excellence, and finishing quality. Meridian Printing initially received the gold award in the book category in San Juan, Puerto Rico and then received the overall "Printer of the Year" award at a gala dinner in New York City. Meridian Printing was selected for its superior printing craftsmanship, and was one of only four printers in the world to receive "Printer of the Year" honors. Sappi names a Printer of the Year in each of four regions around the world. Meridian Printing is a privately owned business, priding itself on high-quality print production for both the commercial and art markets throughout the northeast. Meridian has printed other books including Ansel Adams collections and Annie Leibovitz's "American Music" due out in November. Recently, Meridian Printing has been honored with other nationally recognized awards, including a "best of division" and four "certificate of merit" awards from the Printing Industry of America's Premier Print Awards. Meridian also received three "pewter" awards from the North American Publishing Company's Gold Ink Awards.