Sona Papers signs up as Paper Partner for PrintWeek Awards

Sona Papers has partnered with the PrintWeek Awards 2025 as Paper Partner, sponsoring the Fine Art Printer of the Year category.

Anup Varma, head of marketing at Sona Papers, said, “Our sponsorship affirms the indispensable role of premium papers in advancing fine-art print quality. Fine art printing demands flawless colour reproduction, rich texture and lasting archival integrity. By supporting this award, we reinforce the idea that paper is as crucial as ink or press in delivering museum-grade results.”

The company places strong emphasis on sustainability in its paper portfolio. Varma explained, “We actively promote FSC-certified and eco-friendly stocks, motivating printers to choose substrates that safeguard forests and minimise chemical impact. Through the Awards, we want to highlight the move away from commodity coated papers towards fine papers that are easier to recycle and often produced with renewable energy.”

Innovation is equally important for Sona. Premium fine papers allow printers to combine traditional craft with new techniques such as embossing, foiling, white ink and hybrid UV. Varma stated, “By aligning with the industry’s premier awards, we create a platform where printers, designers and artists can merge craftsmanship with technology.”

Sona Papers’ collaborations with global mills expand creative opportunities for Indian fine art printers. Partnerships with Fedrigoni, Neenah, Cordenons and others bring textured and specialty stocks that combine tactile richness with sustainability. Fedrigoni’s archival-grade, acid-free papers are designed for both offset and digital enhancements, from white ink to foiling, providing what Varma described as “the creative freedom to capture delicate tonal nuances and deep blacks while maintaining environmental credentials.”

Recent developments underline this trajectory. New ranges from Fedrigoni offer finishes from silky smooth to deeply embossed textures, designed to serve fine art printing, luxury packaging and premium communications. Most are FSC-certified, acid- and lignin-free, and manufactured using water- and energy-efficient processes.

Varma concluded, “We want printers to see premium fine papers not as a luxury but as a cornerstone of sustainable, world-class fine art printing. Our partnership with the Awards is about inspiring the industry to integrate sustainability and innovation at the heart of artistic excellence.”