Held at the Antonio Gaudi-designed Casa Battl in the centre of the city, and co-hosted by Consort Royal manufacturer Scheufelen, the event bought together 180 people from the UK and USA.

Essex-based Perivan Creative Print enjoyed a successful evening, winning five awards in the print categories, including three silver and two bronze.

The company was also responsible for the printing of three award winners in the design categories, including gold award winner the Ravensbourne Prospectus in the corporate brochure sector.

Howard Smith Paper chief executive Martyn Eustace said it was "not conceivable that the Consort Royal Awards would disappear", and recognised the fact that coated art paper is "chosen by those who want to add real design appeal to their end product".

Gold awards for print were also presented to The Colourhouse, Moore, 21 Colour, Augustus Martin, Park Lane Press, Nimmos Colour Printers and Paul Green Printing.

The chairmans special award was presented for the Colourful Language entry, by design company NE6 Design and printed by PrintWeeks reigning Printing Company of the Year, Statexcolourprint, on Consort Royal Silk and Consort Royal Complement.

The Consort Royal awards were last staged by former brand owner Donside Paper Company in 2000 at the Millennium Dome. The firm later collapsed and merchant Howard Smith Paper bought the Consort brand in 2001.

Story by Andy Scott