Curious Matter | Curious Cosmic | Curious Metallics | SKIN | Curious Touch | Curious Translucents | Curious Particles | Curious Digital
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SINGLE SWATCH BOOK
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Curious Matter | Curious Cosmic | Curious Metallics | SKIN | Curious Touch | Curious Translucents | Curious Particles | Curious Digital
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Superb promotion!
What a great post! This put a giant smile on my face.
Glad we could make you smile! Make sure to sign up to enter the giveaway (if you’re a member of our community you’re already entered), there’s so many great stationery items to choose from.
I was actually thinking of writing a similar post on the Dream! Thanks so much for the AWESOME information, Jill!
Excellent round-up. Also, it’s good to note that images saved as PNGs often appear more crisp (not down sampled) than JPGs. This is especially good for logos and flat graphics/colors.
Good point about using PNGs vs. JPGs – thanks!
Love the project. Covered it over at GritsandGrids.com http://www.gritsandgrids.com/2014/06/schnitz-restaurant-branding/
It really is a great example of how strong print’s role is when it comes to branding. I love how the team at Tag were mindful of the budget yet managed to create a great showpiece that does double duty as print collateral and interior design element.
Very nice article. The Envelope Rules!!!!
Thanks Steve. I agree, love the envelope – especially the policy envelope in a nice writing, text and cover grade!
I love it! So refreshing. Thanks for sharing, Jill!
Thank you for posting this wallCHALKER(TM) article. wallCHAKER is an awesome, award winning product! Check out the informational video for wallCHALKER at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8og6nRyNGXg
My shop has the surprise packages that is the way I wrap my packages. I’m in for a change, can you help? Sometimes it could be just a bag with a few cards in it or it could be the entire larger package.
Bee Eastman | President
A terrific example of the strength of print; tactile, immediate, personal, compelling.
Thanks for the link.
Couldn’t agree more Tom.
Jill well stated.
If you have yoru print reps involved from the get go on special projects they can do the leg work with the local paper companies as well. It is a service I offer …
Jill this is very well stated. I tell all my clients if I can be involved from the get go i can do all the leg work so they can continue with their design while I work with the local paper compnaies / reps.
We too consider it our job to do the legwork on paper availability – now more than ever since local merchants have stopped employing “spec” people to educate the local design and print purchasing community.
Hi Jill,
I have worked as a designer in Sydney and London and have seen this problem ruin many would-have-been-great projects. It takes tremendous time and effort to source printers that will use the papers specified.
Although, in Stockholm this problem seems to be non-existent. For more than a decade the paper merchant Antalis, (previously Swedish Paper) has run a showroom in central Stockholm that stocks pretty much every paper in their range. They provide free samples or you can buy larger sheets at cost price. They provide dummies and run paper workshops/education for designers as well as printers. There is also a section where they showcase nicely printed things from printers around the country, so that you can get in direct contact with the right printer. This type of showroom seems to be a one-of-a-kind that should be much more known and used as best practise for similiar solutions around the world. If it works in Stockholm with a population around a million, I cannot see why it wouldn’t in other cities of the same size or much bigger, like London.
I cannot give this place enough credit and I hope they will be able to be around as long as we still print on paper.
The website is in Swedish but I’ve put it through a translator for you guys.
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&nv=1&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.antalis.com/business/en/sites/SE_Antalis/hem/om-oss/kontakta-oss/medarbetare/butik–dummyverkstad.html&usg=ALkJrhiEC_yMd41dIrsgUDDKLP-VVtxgiA
Niklas – thanks for sharing the info on Antalis, I am a big fan of what they are doing. When I founded P&P, I did so with the idea that paper was meant to be touched, felt, experienced. How can a designer know what to spec if they really have no idea how the sheet will perform?
The idea behind The Parcel was that anyone could experience these papers and samples up close and personal, so each month they can see what is possible.
Later this month we’ll be launching The Sample Studio – a full service place where again anyone can request flat samples, envelopes, mockups and dummies. While we have a physical space based in our hometown of Cleveland, Ohio where we encourage designers to visit and experience paper, not everyone has access to a physical location like this – so the idea of an online resource just seemed like the best way to share what we do with everyone – and make these sample studio resources available to anyone that wants access to them.
That’s it, moving to Stockholm. :^)
Thanks Jill, an excellent primer!
Great article.
One comment on item #2. Please let your printer know you want to use the FSC logo at the quote/bid stage if possible. If that is not possible then when you issue the PO. The approval process must be started when the stock is ordered.
Hello! Great badges, could I buy them?
I was lucky enough to see part of this collection at HOW Design Live in March and it was amazing. So inspiring and really deeply moving to see the hands of so many craftspeople from paper makers to illustrators to early commercial printers working in tandem on some in these heritage pieces. The full exhibition looks like it was an incredible event!
I caught their session at HOW but missed the evening event later in the week. It really is an amazing collection and something designers & printers alike should make a point of seeing if it comes to their market!
So much love for the detail and also the story behind the brand, really great! And doing restaurant brandings is the best anyway 😉
Couldn’t agree more Sarah, I especially love working on the paper specs for menus. Check back soon for a post on another fab restaurant identity I got to work on with a designer – amazing stuff!
Hi Jill,
I wanted to respond to your post from the perspective of the print sales rep.
I work for a small-medium sized commercial printing company. Our equipment mix is suited to smaller formats and/or shorter runs. I will guess that 30% or more of our work comes from smaller studios and freelancers. You are spot-on when you say that reps will go where the money is. But we will also happily service a sure thing, even if the billable figure is low. That is why it is important for freelancers and small studios to recognize the importance of building a relationship with a rep. If you work with a rep to develop final specs, asking for paper, print and finishing options on multiple quantities over multiple days or weeks, you completely devalue the rep when you turn around and ask another shop to bid. This rep will be less likely to help in the future.
If I know this job is coming my way, and the next one, and the one after that, I will bend over backwards to help us both succeed. So a word of advice, when asking a rep to provide advice, samples, etc., remember how he makes his living. If you are transparent and respectful, I guarantee you will be taken care of.
And, at risk of stating the obvious, it is important to work with shops whose equipment matches your project. If your job is in their sweet spot, you’ll get attention. If they think it’s a long shot, they will spend their time elsewhere.
The Sample Studio is a great resource as well and it’s vendor neutral!
Best,
Tyler
Nice article, cool piece. Would love to get seem “free love”!
Well, you know we love sharing samples, and this one is free to five lucky winners. Maker sure to enter the giveaway and click the link in the post above so we know where to ship it in case you win ?
Jill – at first I wasn’t sure how this would look, but seeing the final product it is lovely – some would say luxurious!
Happy Holidays
Cara
Cara, having seen the stunning original prints and knowing Christine’s work I felt pretty confident about the design. Admittedly the production process was a bit unknown- as you know metallics can be funny. Thanks to a lot of prep and careful planning, once we saw the draw downs we knew the end result we wanted could be achieved. In the end it came down to two things: relationships and samples.
Good morning,
Looking to information on creating wrapping paper with our company logo. Is something you could help us with?
drop us an email (link at bottom of page) with the specifics you’re looking for and we’ll try and steer you to the right resources for this.
Beautiful wall display! Very creative!!
Thanks so much Nancy!
This story had me swooning. My favorite kind of love story, filled with the thing I’m passionate about – paper! A happy ending ensures it will be a classic. perfect way to end this Valentines’s day.
So glad you enjoyed it Kate, the kit definitely is a classic?
Thanks for the opportunity! Those are great
I am THRILLED to see paper & envelopes used this way! The display, venue & celebration creates an emotional tie to paper and the value of a hand crafted message.
Great work 🙂
Thanks Michelle – we absolutely LOVED hosting the event and had a blast creating all the elements for it. Paper is so tactile and one can’t help but form a connection to it, especially in such a hand-crafted way. Thanks to Neenah for for their generosity in this fab giveaway.
This would be a dream to have in the design studio. I love card making! I tend to make a lot of cards for my clients such as invitations, holiday cards, thank you notes, portfolio work, etc. The possibilities are endless!
“I love what you’re doing – I purchased the swatch box kit a few months back and it’s been a tremendous resource for me!” – Maddie H.
I’m with you Jill. Just amazed that this font was created with just four basic shapes. It’s a great project by Craig and Elaine, one that deserves to be funded.
Fab!! Simple understated elegance. Did you have your packing tape done with Uline?
Thanks so much for the kind words. We used T & W converters for our tape – they were super easy to work with and it was a relatively quick turnaround. I’d also take a look at Lumi – their site and products look pretty nice.
Ahhh! It brings back memories of working on the design of the Strathmore and Beckett books — when IP had their fine paper division. Looks like great stuff!
George Cathey
Wow, I had the chance to work on a swatchbook for a private label at my former company – it was intense.
This swatchbook is pretty sweet, everything a designer could want in one book.
Jill: You’re right. No doubt about it.
You’re in the right business because of that.
Jim
Jill
I appreciate the article. But I would like to show you all the beautiful catalogs I have on Uncoated paper. Featuring jewelry fashion automotive etc. they are beautiful, and show off the brand as much or more than coated paper.
Cheers
Ted oconnor
Ted,
I totally agree – uncoated papers offer an amazing range of options when it comes to print. They lend a very personal connection to the printed piece (and brand behind the piece). In fact I mention this in my most recent Instagram post featuring the new David Prince lookbook on Superfine. Absolutely gorgeous and fitting with this brand. Here’s the link if you didn’t see it https://www.instagram.com/p/BJs-8hChd8E
This post is more about the industry “lie” by some service providers that when printing with a coated paper, they’re basically all the same so just use a low-end, commodity import/economy grade and the designer will save on their budget. But the problem is the designer doesn’t realize how much they give up by buying into that belief, they should always control the spec no matter what the paper is. And while economy papers are inexpensive, the reality is the designer seldom sees that savings due to the way paper is transacted at the wholesale level between distributors and printers. By giving up that control of the specification process the designer (and client) loses.
Great detective work! Kraft paper can be especially frustrating when you think you have found the perfect thing only to get a sample and find it’s a different (read not very nice) colour on the back! So, thank you for including the backs in this too.
For UK peeps can I add Paperback paper to your list? I love their Kraft paper, which comes in loads of colours. Almond is a particular favourite – not too yellow, not too brown. I think Goldilocks would approve! 🙂
Thanks for the info Sarah, I hope our UK friends will check out your recommendation. It was also mentioned that Gmund Heidi in the Soft Kraft shade is nice option for letterpress printing.
Very timely- thank you!
You are welcome – hope it helps make finding that perfect kraft paper easier! ?
Delicious. Gorgeous. All the attributes a fine, communicative, typographic keepsake should be. Thank you for my Monday quote — as well. Any chance of getting one of these Neenah Paper promos?
Beautiful design and beautiful packaging!! Do you know who produced the components for them?
Design Army printed all of the pieces for this at Fey Printing.
Where are the mailing boxes from?
The kraft shipper boxes were from Uline.
Hello! I work at a small graphic design firm and we are looking for a printer that has the capabilities of printing in digital, metallic ink. Do you have any contacts?
Thank you!
We have a few, what market are you located in/close to?
How do I get my hands on one of these?!
Hi Morgan, they are available in our subscription box, The Parcel. We’re still shipping the summer issue which includes this piece along with 7 other pieces when you subscribe. You can check out everything that’s included here: https://parseandparcel.com/product/parcel-subscription-4-shipments/
Looking for a printer who can do this– we are willing to work online but are in the Chicago area.
Hi Beth – sending you info on a printer in your region that has the Xerox Digital Metallic capabilities for both silver and gold ink.
I’m also interested in printers with this equipment in the Midwest. Thank you!
I am very interested in a Chicago printer as well.
Thanks!
Hannah 🙂
Hi. Great article. Can you please put me in touch with a digital gold printer in the UK?
Hi, I’m in Tulsa. Could you give me a shortlist of the closest commercial printers using this printer? Thx.
I know this is a post from 2016 but I am looking for a printer in the Chicago area who prints gold on digital presses. Can you provide any resources in Chicago or nearby?
Looking for Chicago resources please
Wonderful article! Looking for a printer with these capabilities in the Detroit metro area.
Hi, I’m looking for a printer with these capabilities in Philadelphia/New York area if possible. Thanks!