You may not be familiar with Italian paper manufacturer Fedrigoni in the U.S., but rest assured they have been making fine papers for centuries. I was lucky enough early on in my career to have been introduced to their Constellation Jade papers by one of the best reps I’ve ever worked with (thank you Anita McKinley wherever you are). While not widely known in the U.S., if you are a designer or printer specializing in packaging you’ll want to get familiar with this grade offered by CTI Paper USA.
Constellation Jade is unique in that it is an embossed coated sheet with a matte coating on the back – but unlike any you have ever seen before. I hesitate to use the description “coated one side” because it hardly conveys all that this paper is. The sheet has a luminous quality due to the mica coating on the surface, it’s this coating that imparts an iridescent sheen to inks when they’re applied – flat grey ink takes on a shimmery, metallic appearance. In addition, the grade comes in a nine embossed patterns: Country, Reptile, Satin, Laser, Raster, Riccio, Silk, Wave, and Spring. If you don’t have this one in your swatchbox you really should.
This is a recent promotion designed by Geometry Global Frankfurt for Fedrigoni, The Paper Skin, showcasing Constellation Jade in a limited edition Leica X2 camera. A piece of paper merges an extraordinary packaging concept and an exceptional product into one. Sold in Fedrigoni showrooms only, the limited Edition of Leica Cameras is wrapped so intimately by fine paper, the “unboxing” reminds of a paper sample book and turns into a Fedrigoni brand experience. Finally, the paper also replaces the cameras traditional leather banderole and becomes an integral part of it and not just its packaging.
