Something About A Book

It surprises me how books still have the power to ignite great emotion. And I don't mean just from the stories they weave.

The doorbell rang on Saturday, it was our mailman, with a package. My 17-year-old came running down the stairs gleefully yelling, "It's my books. It's gotta be my books!" And indeed, it was. Now the fact that a week and a half before Christmas he ordered two books off of Amazon without my consent, does not thrill me. But knowing that it was a book, and not a video game or another electronic gadget, secretly made my heart swell.

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

was my son's Christmas gift to himself.

I come from a long line of readers, so part of me is super excited that I grew a couple of my own. Even in this world of so many electronic forms of communication, so many ways to get information, my kids love going to the library and checking out actual books. And as Nancy Drew long ago did for me, when you find a series of books that draw you in and take hold of your heart and imagination, you not only want to read them, you want to own them. With all the other available distractions out there, there is still something about a book that is good for the soul. Kind of like an old friend that you can pull off the shelf, settle down with, and lose track of time.

Beautiful words, well painted stories, and printed on actual paper, now that's a combo that will always draw me in!

How about you? What is your favorite book or series?

Paper is powerful.

Here is a link to the history of book publishing courtesy of  Brainpickings.

Who Knew? Holiday Stamps Are Printed On NewPage Paper

I chose this stamp design for my family Christmas cards, who knew they were printed on NewPage?  That's just an added bonus. ---Terri

 This holiday season, NewPage has teamed up with MACtac® Printing Products to produce the new Holiday Baubles Forever® stamp series from the U.S. Postal Service. Inspired by ornaments from the 1950s, these stamps are sure to add beauty and nostalgia to your holiday correspondence.

Printed on NewPage paper, MACtac supplied the pressure-sensitive adhesive label materials for more than 1 billion of the 44-cent first-class stamps issued.

The first holiday stamps to be released in the Postal Service’s forever series, the Holiday Baubles stamps feature four colorful, glass ornaments based on styles popular during the 1950s. These stamps were art directed by William J. Glicker and  illustrated by Linda Fountain.

This season’s Madonna stamp is also printed on NewPage paper.

Paper is functional.

iPads Vs. Textbooks: Which Side Are You On?

Many US schools adding iPads, trimming textbooks

Many US public schools providing iPads to students, moving away from traditional textbooks

Stephanie Reitz, Associated Press, On Saturday September 3, 2011, 4:25 pm EDT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- For incoming freshmen at western Connecticut's suburban Brookfield High School, hefting a backpack weighed down with textbooks is about to give way to tapping out notes and flipping electronic pages on a glossy iPad tablet computer.

A few hours away, every student at Burlington High School near Boston will also start the year with new school-issued iPads, each loaded with electronic textbooks and other online resources in place of traditional bulky texts.

While iPads have rocketed to popularity on many college campuses since Apple Inc. introduced the device in spring 2010, many public secondary schools this fall will move away from textbooks in favor of the lightweight tablet computers.

Apple officials say they know of more than 600 districts that have launched what are called "one-to-one" programs, in which at least one classroom of students is getting iPads for each student to use throughout the school day.

Nearly two-thirds of them have begun since July, according to Apple.

New programs are being announced on a regular basis, too. As recently as Wednesday, Kentucky's education commissioner and the superintendent of schools in Woodford County, Ky., said that Woodford County High will become the state's first public high school to give each of its 1,250 students an iPad.

At Burlington High in suburban Boston, principal Patrick Larkin calls the $500 iPads a better long-term investment than textbooks, though he said the school will still use traditional texts in some courses if suitable electronic programs aren't yet available.

"I don't want to generalize because I don't want to insult people who are working hard to make those resources," Larkin said of textbooks, "but they're pretty much outdated the minute they're printed and certainly by the time they're delivered. The bottom line is that the iPads will give our kids a chance to use much more relevant materials."

Read the full article here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have mixed feelings about learning via electronics vs. physical printed books, for a couple of reasons. The first and obvious one is that "yes", I work for a paper merchant, and I want to sell more paper.

The second has to do with my particular learning preference. When I was in school our only option was to learn from printed textbooks. There are so many different options now for the younger generation (iPad, Kindle, notebook, laptop) etc, but back in my day it was a good old fashioned book.

Studying (learning) for me involved having that book on my lap, a highlighter poised at the ready, and a pad of paper next to me for note taking.

Even now as a user (and lover) of several electronic devices, I still revert to paper when I am attempting to learn or absorb something new. I have to print out what is on screen, because if I really want to remember something, I have to hold it in my hand. That is simply how I learn best. I need to read and reread things often, and doing that with paper is much easier than attempting to do it on a screen. Running my finger under important passages is frowned upon when using a screen.

There is something about being able to flip back and forth between pages, clarifying, rechecking to make sure I really got the information properly that cannot be achieved via a screen.

And being a true paper lover, I also need to take notes in the margins, on the back of the sheet, to really make things gel.

Reading fiction for pleasure works okay for me on an electronic device, but if I need to learn, really grasp something new, I need a book. I need paper.

Paper is important.

How about you? How do you learn best? Which side of the iPad vs textbook issue are you on?

The Art Of Cutting Paper

Check out this incredible Ted video from artist Béatrice Coron who's creations are made totally from cut paper. She started her works of art from paper because in her words: "Paper is cheap, light and you can use it in a lot of different ways."

With an exacto and a roll of paper, she creates intricate worlds, cities and countries, heavens and hells. Striding onstage in a glorious cape cut from Tyvek, she describes her creative process and the way her stories develop from snips and slices.

Talk about having a vision with just a blank sheet of paper. Hers is an interesting concept, instead of adding her vision to the paper with ink, marker or pencil, she removes what isn't part of the story by cutting it away. Truly visionary.

Paper is..........Inspiring.

Cascades Paper: The Mill That Walks The Talk

Terri Spaulding recently visited the Cascades Paper Mill located just outside of Montreal. This is her personal wrap up of the event. Warning: it is photo heavy!

The specification seminar attendees.
We called ourselves the paper dolls!

I visited the Cascades Paper Mill in St. Jerome, Quebec a few weeks ago for their first ever Specification Seminar. Cascades has long been one of my favorite mills, because they have a fantastic environmental story, but I found out during my visit just how fantastic the mill and its people really are.

The local landfill

We started our visit by stopping at the local landfill where methane gas (normally burned off and released into the atmosphere), is now delivered by pipeline to the paper mill. It powers 95% of their manufacturing! Talk about reducing your carbon footprint.  

Our guide.

I learned something about landfills...they don't stink if managed properly. In fact, as we exited the van we caught a whiff of a stinky smell, which we all assumed came from the landfill. However, our guide was quick to point out that the smell was not coming from the landfill itself, it was coming from a customer's container for their garbage. Ick--it was stinky!

The pipeline from the landfill that delivers
the methane to the paper mill.

Lovely landfill attire. That's CMP's Cascades
mill rep, Dave Beebe, second from the left.

When properly managed, a landfill does not stink. If the methane were allowed to just build up and and the gas were to release on its own, then it would. However, when a system is in place to capture the gas, it can be piped to where it will be used, or in the case of excess amounts produced, burned off. Burning off methane does not smell either, who knew? The pipeline system to the Cascades Mill is in my opinion, genius.

View of the Cascades Paper mill from
the guesthouse. Peaceful and quaint.

Our next stop was the Cascades guest house, right on the grounds of the mill, where the seven of us attending the seminar were staying for the two nights. It is a lovely old house, complete with seven bedrooms and is located across the river from the mill. It used to be the Rolland Family home (original owners of the mill), before it was converted into a guest house. Charming. I wish we would have had more time to just chill in it, but they kept us pretty busy.

The guesthouse.

After several inspiring presentations from key employees of the mill, we began to get a sense of how special this mill really is. Did you know the Lemaire brothers who bought the Rolland Paper mill and started Cascades Paper in 1964, began in the recycling business? As children they learned to salvage to survive, and from there it evolved into a business. This entrepreneurial and environmental spirit has grown Cascades Paper into a 4 billion dollar company that employs 12,500 people. Awesome!

Me in my lovely mill touring attire.

What other paper mill do you know who is powered by landfill gas, who limits their distribution area to reduce effects on the environment from diesel emissions, who founded their own deinking facility back in 1995 to ensure quality pulp for their recycled paper, who's trucks collect curbside paper waste from areas in New York, Maine and Canada, and who's employees are always looking for ways to take their sustainability to the next level? None, that I can think of. Which is what makes Cascades Paper so unique!

The headbox of Cascades small paper machine.

Fun fact: Sophie, who manages the Cascades Sample Department, recycles the pieces of plastic wrap she collects when unwrapping the printed pieces she receives and personally takes that box of plastic to a recycler. It makes me want to be better at recycling even more than I already do at work and at home. 

Piles of recycled paper scraps that go into
making 100% recycled paper!

Hooray for Cascades Paper, a mill that produces an awesome group of products, at awesome prices....while striving to ensure they leave as small a mark as possible on the environment. Personally it made me rethink my own sustainability efforts (why can no one else in my house unplug devices not in use?) Grrrrr.

I want to walk the talk like Cascades Paper.

For more information, visit the Cascades website  http://www.cascades.com/papers/.
Be sure to check out their updated environmental calculator!

Direct Mail Is Where It's At

The latest Fold Factory 60 second super cool fold of the week certainly demonstrates that your folds don't have to be fancy to be effective. Direct mail, when combined with the right message, the right audience and the right design.....can achieve some fantastic results. Add in some variable data for personalization, and those results can be over the top.

A few direct mail facts courtesy of PaperBecause.com (Domtar) and Down To Earth (International Paper) :

• 75% of people have made a purchase as a result of direct mail
• Those who received a printed catalog from a retailer were twice as likely to buy online as consumers who did not
• 56% of people say they enjoy reading mail
• Campaigns combining direct mail and Internet yield up to an additional 25% response rate
• Nearly 80% of households either read or scan advertising mail sent to their household

And be sure to check out these awesome articles, courtesy of Deliver Magazine, which offer great tips for getting the most out of your direct mail campaign.

 http://www.delivermagazine.com/2010/12/5-steps-for-making-an-offer/

 http://www.delivermagazine.com/2010/12/10-direct-mail-mistakes-to-avoid/

http://www.delivermagazine.com/2010/12/integrate-mail-with-other-media/

http://www.delivermagazine.com/2011/05/what%e2%80%99s-a-good-response-2/

We are always willing to help you select the perfect paper for your next direct mail piece. Contact your CMP sales rep or email terris@cmpaper.com.

We "heart" paper. And we believe in the power of print.

Everything Old Becomes New Again

Anyone else notice a resurgence of interest in the “hands on” crafty portion of the printing industry?

Processes like screen printing and letterpress seem to be making a comeback of sorts. I've noticed many mill one-of-a-kind printed samples featuring letterpress and even the latest Dodge Ram Truck commercial shown below likens the process of letterpress to achieving greatness. Wow!



I’m quite happy to see this attention given to a skill/craft once thought of as an endangered species. Unfortunately, it still is hard to find letterpress operations in our local area. But small, quirky screen printer shops are popping up around GR, so maybe letterpress is next. Crossing my fingers....

I faithfully read a futuristic series of books by J.D. Robb called the “In Death” series, and I am fascinated by her ideas of what the world might be like 20 years from now.

In these books the technology of the time refers to things like “links”, which are basically cell phones with the ability to “see” who you are talking to—think phone skyping—or that face to face thing the new Ipads have. Once upon a time that kind of ability may have seemed far off in the future, but the fact is, technology like that is currently upon us.

Makes me wonder, will there even still be printing 20 years from now?

I sure hope so.

While we need to embrace the new technology around us, we also need to look back and treasure some things from our recent past. In the book series I mentioned above, things like “real” coffee, or “real” meat hotdogs (not soy versions) are luxuries to be cherished, as are “real” printed hold-in-your-hands books, (not e-books). As we watch the technology change at alarming rate, and we begin to feel a bit like dinosaurs in our own industry, we need to remember that everything old becomes new again.

Its use may not be as widespread as it once was, but paper will remain. I am hearing encouraging stories of companies who a year or so ago completely embraced the electronic age and stopped printing their sales materials, only to find that their customers actually preferred something tangible, something printed. And those companies are now back to using paper and printing. Is it a trend? A sense of  false hope indicating our jobs will be safe in the future? Who knows?

Maybe paper won’t be back in the way we want it to be. But there are studies and support emerging that show how much more effective direct mail vs. email can be. And, how holding a catalog or a printed piece in your hands, makes the greater impression.

So remember to cherish and treasure the “old” crafty ways of our industry, and also to embrace the new ones. (Think digital printing, for example, and all its personalization opportunities.) Let’s all use the power of print, paper and craftsmanship to work together most effectively to send our message.

It is a comforting thought that there will be paper in my future, maybe not so much in thinking about the resurgence of leg warmers or perms, though.

Get On The Digital Train or Get Off The Track, Part 2

Photo Courtesy of: Mollie Kwiek Photography

This blogpost is the second in my series about digital printing and my mission to learn more about it. I thought it might be helpful to review the digital vs. offset question. How do you choose? (Obviously these are just generalizations, as there are always exceptions).

Here is my take on the advantages of each process and a checklist you might want to start with to determine your digital vs. offset direction.

Digital Advantages:

1. Shorter turnaround
2. Lower costs for shorter print runs
3. Availability of variable data printing

Offset Advantages:

1. Higher image quality, higher resolution, no streaks in solid areas (although I understand this is not nearly the problem it once was)
2. Works on a wide range of paper surfaces
3. Unit cost goes down as quantity goes up
4. Quality and cost -effectiveness in the higher volume jobs

Keep in mind that most printers offer both offset and digital capabilities now. So, calling in your favorite print rep for consultation might be the way to begin the process. Or use this checklist to help determine your direction:

Quantity
Offset printing has a front end cost load. Which means short runs may have a high per unit cost. But as quantites increase, the unit cost goes down with offset printing.

Printing Medium
Do you need or want a special paper, finish or unusual printing surface or a unique size? The options are getting better for digital, but offset printing still offers the most flexibility.

Color
Digital presses use four color process printing. If you only need black or one or two ink colors, offset printing may offer a more cost effective solution. If you need four color printing, digital may be better for lower up-front costs.

Pantone
If you're planning to print using the Pantone Matching System, offset printing will give you the best match, since it uses actual Pantone Ink. Digital printing simulates the color using a four-color match process, so some digital printers may offer less accurate color matching on projects.

Turnaround
If you need it fast, digital usually offers quicker delivery.

Proofing
Digital offers more accurate proofs, since what you see is an actual sample of the printed piece, printed using the exact process as the intended run. For offset printing, if you need hard proofs, accurate color proofing can become expensive.

Customization
With the ease of database driven variable data printing, digital printing offers the most affordable way to customize marketing materials, direct mail pieces, letters, etc. with a different name/address or number/code on each printed piece.

Digital printing can be the ideal solution for some people, but offset lithography will almost always yield the superior result in print quality.

In the end, each project will have to be evaluated to find its perfect partner.  Similar to when you are specing paper: be prepared to ask questions, answer questions, and allow your print and paper reps to help you find the best solution for your project.

Did I mention that you now have choices in paper for your digital printing needs? You get to select more than just white, coated (or uncoated paper), when printing digitally. There are digital papers available in colors, finishes, metallics, and pearlescents to make your digital print job stand out from the crowd. New items are being added to that list, almost weekly. Call us for ideas 676-9203, or ask your printing sales rep to check in with us for the latest options!

The time has come to take paper specification back into your own hands. To borrow a tagline from our friends at Domtar Paper, Paper Matters.

Make it matter on your next print job!

More Direct Mail = More Design, More Printing & More Paper. Go USPS!

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

The US Postal Service will launch a major advertising campaign in September seeking to promote use of the mail as a marketing tool by American businesses.

Postmaster General Pat Donahoe announced to the National Postal Forum this morning in San Diego that the campaign will target the sizable 75% chunk of US businesses that currently do not use the mail for advertising purposes.

The push to get advertisers on board comes as part of a USPS priority to boost the business-to-consumer channel to help counter a general decline in mail volumes.

The business-to-consumer channel is currently responsible for around 70% of its revenues and 80% of mail volume, but with three quarters of businesses not using the mail for advertising, Donahoe said there was a “major opportunity” for the Postal Service.

The campaign will include television spots and direct mail, building on the lessons learned from the USPS package delivery advertising campaign, “If it fits it ships”, which has so far seen 25m extra flat-rate boxes mailed in the US so far this year alone, a 35% increase year-on-year.

“We are ready to apply the lessons from our package marketing and develop a major advertising campaign to support mail,” he said.

Donahoe said the Postal Service hadn’t focused on promoting mail through significant advertising in 10 years. The new campaign would be “a little unusual, but it could be very powerful”, he added.

Industry Input

The Postal Service looks likely to use its existing advertising agency Campbell-Ewald on the campaign, and Donahoe said that as well as involving mailers in the campaign, the USPS would seek to share insights from the campaign with customers, and feed their thoughts into September’s message.

“This won’t be just a Postal Service campaign,” he said. “If our industry aligns around the same marketing insights about mail, the potential exists to multiply that advertising effect,” he said.

Donahoe told Post&Parcel this morning that his team would look to discuss the campaign’s initial research with members of its industry advisory group MTAC – the Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee – as well as with key members of the advertising industry.

“We’re trying to get some advertising people together, to run some ideas by them,” he said. ”A lot of decisions are taken by large advertisers as to what their clients will use – and if they are not thinking about the mail, there’s not a lot we can do.”

Rough cuts of television spots that could feed into a possible campaign have featured representatives of the public speaking about their relationships with the mail and why they could not do with out it.

The Postmaster General is keen to promote the “tremendous value of the mail” to American businesses, particularly competing against the digital and television advertising.

“We’re saying to them: you can go on a website, and you’ve got to compete with millions of other website, and get people to go visit that website,” he said. “With the mail you’re just competing with whatever else is in the person’s mailbox that morning.”

Among the 75% of businesses that do not currently use the mail for their advertising, Donahoe told reporters this morning that the pharmaceutical industry could be a key target for this kind of campaign. The Postal Service researched America’s top advertisers ahead of a market trial to offer major advertisers a “money-back guarantee” this summer to promote the use of direct mail, and the research revealed that major pharmaceuticals are doing “zero” advertising through the mail.

“It’s shocking how little they use the mail,” Donahoe said. “For pharmaceuticals it’s zero through the mail, and yet they’re all running these television ads that make you afraid to buy anything they’re selling.”

The concept of working closely with its customers on the advertising campaign fits with a theme at this year’s National Postal Forum of “seamlessly aligning with your business”. Around 4,000 delegates – mailing companies, equipment and suppliers as well as Postal Service staff – are expected at this year’s event, which runs until Wednesday.

Source: James Cartledge, Post & Parcel http://bit.ly/lmnRuK

A Little CMP News & Notes Blog Love Is Needed

If you are reading this post right now, then CMP needs your help!

Considerable time has been spent with the start up of this blog, as a resource for you, our customers. We are hoping it will serve as an additional means of communication about paper, promotions, about our industry, and about CMP and its people.

While it appears that people are reading this, and we have had some face to face confirmation that people like what they read...we need just a bit more reassurance.

Is this blog helpful? Shall we continue on...

Do any posts assist you in specifying or purchasing paper from CMP? What would you like to see more of? Less of?

We're feeling the need for a little blog love.

If what we are doing is not effective, then we need to know this, and spend our time and resources elsewhere. If it is, we need to hear that as well, so we can continue on with all the contests and giveaways and future product posts we have planned.

Please take a moment to comment at the bottom of this post. A suggestion. A thatta girl. A story about how this inspired you to specify or use our paper. Anything....

Dialogue from our readers and customers is necessary to continue with this effort and channel of communication. We appreciate your help and support and, I suppose if we don't hear any responses...we will have our answer.

Many thanks to those reading. I hope to hear from you.

Terri Spaulding

CMP Introduces the LunchAbout

You’ve heard of a Walkabout right?

Crocodile Dundee made it famous in 1986 when Mick Dundee, who is from "Walkabout Creek", uses the term "walkabout" in the movie's dialogue. Random house defines it as an Australian noun meaning: a brief, informal leave from work, taken by an Aborigine to wander the bush, visit relatives, or return to native life; or as an absence from work.

Well CMP is introducing a LunchAbout.

No, we are not asking you to take time off from work to take a walk in the Australian bush (although that does sound kind of fun), instead we’re offering to help you learn.

LunchAbout is a chance for you to learn more about….whatever industry topics interest you, all while eating lunch, our treat!

We can schedule a LunchAbout at your office or here in our CMP conference room covering any topic(s) that interest you. Whether you want to learn more about the latest in paper, industry trends, digital printing, sustainability in paper, paper basics, greenwashing or getting started in social media.…we can help.

If we don’t have an expert here at CMP, we’ll find one! CMP has access to a variety of industry experts, on a variety of current topics. So put us to work for you.

Contact your CMP representative and learn the details of scheduling a LunchAbout right quick mate.

676-9203 or 1-800-632-4910

Why Technology Hasn't Killed Direct Mail......An excerpt from Deliver Magazine

Have you checked out this publication yet?

Deliver Magazine. It's a USPS® publication that features marketing research, news and commentary. It is an awesome resource for me. But then, I sell paper, so I believe in the power of print and direct mail. And I am always looking for facts to use to promote their effectiveness.

Bet you could use some information to convince your clients that print is definitely not dead and that it should remain a vital and relevant part of their marketing campaign, right?

So, I'm sharing the links. Click here to check out Deliver Magazine and here to subscribe to it.

Most of you reading our CMP News & Notes Blog make your living in this industry. Let's work together to keep paper and print alive & well in West Michigan. Spread the word.

****************************************************

The following excerpt was taken from a Deliver Magazine article posted August 24, 2010

Why Technology Hasn't Killed Direct Mail

Look at recent developments, and it becomes clear we’re witnessing a new age of direct mail.

Long an effective marketing device, mail is now being linked with new technologies in astounding ways that improve its effectiveness and bring a new engagement. Such advancements ensure it will last several more generations, and will likely launch mail into a new era of viability.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. The explosion of digital technology was supposed to be the death knell for direct mail. The medium was expected to take what direct had done, and do it better, faster and cheaper.

Consider the irony then that far from killing it off, digital is helping usher in this new era of direct mail.

Of course, direct mail and digital have always been buddies. Mail was the primary way most of us learned about the Internet. (Remember those ubiquitous disks from a major online company?)

Catalogers have always known that mail can drive additional sales and online visits, and many digital entrepreneurs have turned to the mailbox to drive people to the inbox.

The difference today is that marketers are now finding methods for combining digital technology with mail to increase the power of the message. Mail is no longer the carrier, the device you use to drive someone online. It’s the beginning of a conversation that carries on once the customer logs on.

Full article here: http://www.delivermagazine.com/2010/08/why-technology-hasnt-killed-direct-mail

Please Cease and Desist With The Greenwashing

So in response to my blogpost yesterday I received a cease and desist e-mail from the company I mentioned in it. I guess I must have made a point or two. So the good news is that people are reading my blog. But after thinking about it, I decided to drop all reference to that company's name from my blogpost. What I say about the misuse of the facts about paper, trees and the environment can be said about many companies who are confused about the information relating to the paper industry, why should I single out just one.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Here is the edited blogpost without the names of any company referenced.

I saw a tweet come across my Tweetdeck and felt compelled to respond to it. Here is what it said:

"Going #paperless or at least reducing #paper is our goal. We aim to help in doing what we can as retailers. Going #green always feels good."

I checked out the company. They sell a software program for retailers.The premise is that retailers who purchase and install this program of emailing receipts to customers, (instead of handing one to you with your purchase), will instantly save time, money and, it implies, the environment.

This company believes that the software program will save money for business owners instantly by reducing their paper costs by a 3:1 ratio. Apparently paper costs have increased so much it is causing retailers to raise prices and shrink their profit margins. When did providing a receipt to customers who make a purchase from you become an extra, not a given?

If I follow along with the idea that a receipt is not a necessity, then I also have to accept that the costs involved in printing out that receipt for my records, are now my responsibility. But my printer takes 8.5 x 11 sized paper---a cash register receipt is usually a small strip of 3 x (however many items you purchase) sized lightweight piece of paper. Which of these options ultimately then creates less waste?

The company video is well produced and hits all the heartstrings. It encourages businesses to do their part for the environment. It implies that by not using paper you are impacting the world in a good way for yourself, your children and your children's children. That's great stuff. If only it were true.

If we stop using paper, there may not be any environment left for our children's children. No paper use equals no new tree plantings; which in turn means no oxygen, no carbon sequestration, no wildlife habitats from those trees. If we stop using paper, our children's children may not even have forests, instead they will see endless strip malls and developments. http://www.internationalpaper.com/apps/gopaper/index.html

I do understand that this company wants to sell product. Just like we want to sell paper. But let's make sure we don't mistake greenwashing, for facts. The paper industry is sustainable and renewable. Using paper is not a bad thing, nor is being smart about times not to use it. The truth is that banks save money when they don't have to mail us our statements, phone companies save money when they don't have to print and mail our bills, and bottom line...stores save money when they don't have to print our receipts.

So let's just quit with the greenwashing. From my point of view, a more valid point for this company to make to a consumer like me, is that it is more convenient to not have to store and hang onto that receipt after a purchase, especially if it is an item you think you will not need to return. I can relate to that.

I believe in being sustainable. I believe in recycling. I believe in using recycled paper. But I also believe in the facts. No one is going to convince me that e-mailing a receipt to someone (who will more likely still print that receipt) is "greener" than having the store hand you one. And what about the negative environmental impact or the costs involved in maintaining all those servers which store the receipt data? Not to mention they get your e-mail address.

Seems backwards to me. I would stop frequenting a store that put the burden on me, the customer to print my own receipt at home. But then, I am also offended when any company asks me to go paperless to "save trees".

I sell paper. My husband works for the United States Postal Service.
You are barking up the wrong tree.

Paper Basics Road Show

My job is so much fun!

Last week I took my Paper Basics Presentation on the road to Ferris State University/Big Rapids Campus.

Me & the FSU Graphic Design Juniors

I've been doing a version of this Paper Basics presentation for almost 23 years and I am constantly trying to improve it. I learned long ago that bringing some type of food, either candy or granola bars, always earns extra attention from starving college students.

It is also much more fun to learn about paper if you can touch and feel it. So the presentation includes a packet of blank papers in various colors, weights and finishes that students can touch, feel, bend, scratch and interact with. As a parent of a "visual" learner I know the importance of including several "hands on" activities that engage both the auditory and visual portions of the brain, as well. Anything to help people retain more of the paper basic information that is delivered.

William Culpepper, Assistant Professor at FSU, sent me some of the FSU student's comments following the presentation. Here are a few:

"...As she walked us through the different samples she offered advice as to how we could approach a client and justify the use of these papers. For example, the paper with the highest recycled content looks much more like 'recycled' paper than the paper with only 30%. This fact may seem obvious, but if someone really wanted to push the idea that their materials are earth-friendly, the paper might as well show that it is recycled..."

"I think this was an excellent paper presentation. I was obvious that she knew her stuff and cared. Her delivery of the material, with a hands on approach, was a great way for a bunch of visual people to learn!"

"The printed packets that she handed out were extremely useful and I plan on keeping it in my production binder. My favorite part was being able to touch, scratch, feel, and hold the different paper samples. I have a far better understanding of the differences among papers and coatings."

"In my opinion, Terri was...very informative and confident in her company and what they have to offer. She will be a very good contact for paper needs in the future."

Thanks FSU juniors for being an interested and excited audience, and for all the fabulous feedback.

And a special thanks for testing out my new paper term to definition matching game.

It's a keeper!

Need some Paper Basics in your life? Give me a shout! terris@cmpaper.com

It's Time...Announcing the Mohawk Show 12 Call For Entries

Mohawk Fine Papers celebrates the designers who make concrete the complex communications of our culture, who go beyond the expected and make visuals extraordinary.

West Michigan... it is time gather up your great work on Mohawk paper and enter!

I saw the local talent celebrated at the West Michigan Addy's last week, it was very award-worthy. How about submitting again, this time to the Mohawk Show 12?

Winners of this show not only receive awe & kudos from your industry peers nationally, but you can also win BIG money. The only catch, it has to be printed mostly on Mohawk Papers. The good news...Mohawk bought just about everyone in the industry, so that means a lot of papers qualify.

Details:
Four best of show winners will receive $5,000 each. $2,500 will be paid to the winning design team in each of these three special categories: Sustainable Design, Strathmore Showcase and Digital Print. And fifteen honorable mentions will be awarded $500 each.

Entries are being accepted from now until May 31, 2011. Enter as many projects as you like. There are no entry fees. And only 5 samples of each entry are required.

Click here for the order form and more details. http://bit.ly/eXwCaE

And hey... if the Mohawk Paper was purchased thru CMP, I'll even send in the entry for you. Just get me get me the 5 samples (and the details) and I will take care of it.

Someone has to win. Why not you?

All Good Things Must Come To An End

But can lead to exciting new beginnings!

Gail Watts, CMP's resident "mom" baked a cake for Bill Benson. 

Yesterday CMP got together to celebrate the retirement of one of our long time mill representatives, Bill Benson, of  Wausau Coated. How fun! It isn't every day we say farewell to someone who has been an integral part of our coated label paper sales for more than 20 years, so it made for a special occasion.

And yet another reason to eat cake. So much for those New Year's resolutions.

Originally Bill was our rep for another pressure sensitive supplier, and when he switched over to Wausau Coated, so did we. How's that for loyalty? We've had a great working relationship and friendship with him over the years. We asked what he was going to do in his retirement and Bill told us that he and his wife Donna recently renovated their cottage on Washington Island, WI into a year round home. They now plan to live there and spend time sailing, fishing, and hiking. Not one to just sit back and relax, Bill tells us he has also joined the Lions Club on the island and is training to be a Coast Guard volunteer.

We are all hoping he saves a little time to just relax.

L to R:  John Barbour, Bill Benson, Gail & Larry Watts, Chris Cutter, Glenn Bechard

Bill says "Goodbye" to CMP, and we say "Hello" to Glenn

CMP is now looking forward to a new beginning with Glenn Bechard, our newest Wausau Coated rep. Having spent time at Curtis Paper, Cross Pointe and several other mills, Glenn brings with him years of paper industry experience. We look forward to putting that knowledge to use, and to many great years ahead. Welcome, Glenn!

While it is a little bittersweet for us, the CMP team wishes Bill a healthy and happy retirement.  You will be missed, old friend! And oh by the way...we are totally jealous.







Just Passing Along.....Processed Identity

Have you seen the website called Processed Identity yet?

I recently got a tweet about an article Laura Shore, of Mohawk Fine Papers, wrote for Processed Identity.  Having attended several spec seminars given by Laura over the years, I know that she always has something interesting to say. This article makes some good points about design, the future of print and of course, paper. See the full article http://bit.ly/i55zS2.

"While we may be moving toward a paper-less society—I don’t expect we will ever see a paper-free society. But where we do use paper these days, we need it to count." --Laura Shore

After working in print for many years, Laura Shore now oversees social media, branding and e-commerce at Mohawk Fine Papers. She recently developed the design blog and marketplace, Felt and Wire.  If you haven't already checked it out, please do. In my opinion, you can never have too many sources of inspiration.

And maybe I am the last to know about the Processed Identity website, but just in case you haven't seen it either I wanted to share. It was launched in 2010 by Steve Zelle, a visual brand identity designer with over twenty years of experience designing and developing his creative process with clients. He currently operates as idApostle, based in Ottawa, Canada. His personal interest in the creative process and the increase in both availability and popularity of stock logos and “brands” that can be downloaded instantly, inspired him to create Processed Identity.

Processed Identity's Goals:

• to highlight the benefits a customized and structured process can achieve
• to become a source of information for clients
• to provide a source of inspiration for identity designers
• to impart to young designers starting out, the value of the creative process

The spirit of the site is to share, encourage, and discuss in a thoughtful, mindful manner with respect for all contributors. Most of the content for the site is developed by designers willing to share their experiences and insights.

Got an idea or thought you want to share? If you would like to contribute to Processed Identity, there are a number of ways you can do that through the contribute tab on the website. West Michigan has great talent, and great ideas. I hope to be reading one of your articles on Processed Identity's website soon! 

In fact, send me a tweet @cmpaper when you do. I'll help spread the word.

Did You Know...Our Standard Paper Size Was Made Official By Reagan?

Why is the standard paper size in the U.S. 8 ½" x 11"?


Back in the late 1600's, the Dutch invented the two-sheet mold. The average maximum stretch of an experienced vatman's arms was 44". Many molds at that time were around 17" front to back because the laid lines and watermarks had to run from left to right. Sounds big?...well to maximize the efficiency of paper making, a sheet this big was made, and then quartered, forming four 8.5" x 11" pieces.

This was well before paper machines dominated hand made paper labor. A couple centuries later when machines dominated the trade (although many hand made paper makers still existed), and the United States decided on a standard paper size, they stuck with the same size so as to keep the hand made paper makers in business.

Oddly enough, the United States used two different sizes - the 8" x 10.5" and the 8.5" x 11". Separate committees came up with separate standards, the 8" x 10.5" for the government and the 8.5" x 11" for the rest of us. Once these committees found out about each other a couple years later, they agreed to disagree until the early 1980's when Reagan finally proclaimed that the 8.5" x 11" was the official standard sized paper.

Read full article here: http://www.afandpa.org/paper.aspx?id=511

Wish We Had Thought Of This...

Instead, I will share with you the coolest thing I have stumbled upon lately.

Ever wanted to do something unusual with your direct mail piece, brochure or invitation, but lacked inspiration?

Problem solved.

There are so many 60 second videos of unusual (and not so unusual folds) in the fold factory archives that you may not get anything else accomplished once you start looking at them.

Sign up (I sure did) to get Trish's free Super-Cool Fold of the Week or check out the many she has shared already at http://208.67.58.163/fotw_archive.php

This idea is so awesome I wish we had thought of it!




The above video is just one cool example.

Got A Question About Paper?

Do you believe the statement that there is no such thing as a dumb question?

We don't. (In all honesty we've heard some pretty silly ones over the years.)

But if it's a question about paper, we have your answer. The combined years of  industry experience amongst our CMP employees would blow your mind.  It's pretty much a sure bet that someone around here will be able to help. C'mon try us!

For fast answers call 616-676-9203.