It is true that each paper has a creative potential and thanks to an original idea or a special processing technique it may become part of numerous interesting products. Some papers are meant to be used for creative products. They differ from common coated and uncoated papers in surface, colour, raw material used for their production or in other specific properties.
They are labelled as special graphic papers or creative papers. There are several reasons why to use a creative paper. For a designer it is a way how to reach an artistic aim or to add a special emotion to the work. As far as marketing is concerned, the reason may be also more pragmatic. Adding a new dimension, the first four seconds can be fully used to decide whether the direct mail, a company presentation or product packaging attracts the client’s attention.
Paper is an attractive and tactile thing which offers endless number of opportunities for designers and businesspeople who want to create original works appealing to several senses.
There are two ways how to choose a paper
The first way is the paper selection for an existing graphic design. Colour, printing and finishing techniques as well as the overall impression which the printed product is expected to make on the recipient need to be considered.
Another way is that the paper selected in advace is part of the assignment, so the whole design is adapted to the paper’s properties. This way requires a considerable amount of imagination in order to take advantage of the creative potential of the paper.
Types of creative papers
Creative papers can be divided into several groups according to their properties or type of use.
Papers for company correspondence (Conqueror, Olin, Rivers, SENDme, Opale) – a collection of elegant papers and cardboards with smooth or fine structured surface mostly in pale trendy shades. Papers for company correspondence are accompanied with envelopes made of the same paper.
Metallic papers (Curious Metallics, Curious Cosmic, Astrosilver, So Silk) – papers or cardboards with pearly or metallic surface offer elegant option for a trendy marketing communication or luxurious packaging.
Translucent papers (Curious Translucents) – they match each printed product. They are available in twelve colours and offer numerous creative combinations.
Smooth colour papers (Pop’Set, Keaykolour) – more than eighty colours and shades which can be perfectly combined with each other. They offer smooth surface and extra hardness which makes them suitable for special techniques, such as cut-outs.
Structured papers (Conqueror, Rives, Modigliani, Dali) – trendy papers or cardboards in felt or stamping effect.
Papers with velvet surface (Curious Matter, Skin, Plike) – thanks to their refined surface modification, these papers are unique and pleasant to touch. Whereas Curious Matter with its rough and matte surface reminds of a fine sandpaper, Skin makes a velvet impression. In a distinct way modified surface of Plike reminds of plastics.
Special papers (Geltex, Powercoat Alive, Magne Cote, Polyart) – comprise of products with unique properties. For example, extra resistant surface, built-in chips for communication with smart devices using borderline NFC, magnetic layer or imperishable Polyart which withstand weather and mechanical stress.
A specialist needed to produce a creative printed product.
People are often not aware of the possibilities they have. Therefor it is important to consult a specialist at the very beginning of the project. What is the best colour, surface, style, printing technique? All these aspects must be carefully considered as the paper selection will have a decisive impact on the printed product.
