Some CMP folks are in Chicago at GraphExpo this week. Besides having a little fun, they are gathering lots of new information about paper and printing. They ran across Choose Print, an organization working diligently to get the word out about the value and power of print.
Their mission statement reads: The Choose Print campaign provides research-based facts and tools needed to get more print into clients’ marketing mixes – and improve the bottom line in the process.
Check them out on Facebook and on follow them on Twitter at @ChoosePrint!
Here is one of their videos:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Only Thing Missing Was The Paparazzi/ My Trip With Brian French
It's okay to be a little envious of me.
I recently made calls with Brian French in beautiful Traverse City.
Not only did I get to walk around downtown T.C., but I was with Brian French.
He's famous. People ask for his autograph. They really do. (They did the day I was with him).
For those of you not aware of who he is, Brian is 6th generation French. Son of Jerry, Grandson of Ed, of the French Paper Company fame.
Who doesn't love French Paper? Especially around here. After all they are located in Niles, Michigan. That makes them family owned, "local", Michigan based, and American made.
I experienced the "Brian phenomenon" with my own eyes.
Everyone wants to see him. It just so happens he is the fresh face of a 140 year old super cool company. An instant "in" around these parts. Funny thing is, he's just a regular guy. Brian's been known to answer the phone at French Paper Company when the receptionist is busy, he periodically has to clean out the basement at the mill, and when traveling for work he even sleeps on the floor at a friend's cottage to save money on hotel fees.
Told you he was just a regular guy.
Adding to his coolness factor, is the fact that he brought along French Swag on our trip, including the new French envelope promotion.
Have you seen it yet?
French is now stocking 9 x 12 catalog
Yiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeee. Bring on the color choices, no more white only.
The 9 x 12's come in Kraft Speckletone and 7 PopTone colors, including (Berrylicious, Black Licorice, Gumdrop Green, Hot Fudge, Orange Fizz, Razzleberry, Sour Apple).
And, it gets even better!
They are also stocking 6 x 6 Square envelopes in all colors of Construction, Poptone and Speckletone.
Yes, you heard me right.
You can get envelopes in super small quantities off the French website or, in boxes of 500 (for the catalogs) and 250 (for the squares) from CMP. Keep in mind they are not on our warehouse floor so there may be a 1-2 day wait for them.
Since I hadn't quite grasped another little tidbit, until my trip wth Brian, I thought I'd pass it along in case you missed it, too.
French stocks 4-Bars (aka A-1's) /3.62 x 5.12 in all colors. That is the smallest size envelope mailable without extra postage required, and it fits quite nicely into an A-6 as a reply card.
Ask for your French Envelope Promo today! Because French is not able to sample their envelopes, it gives you a great working tool with examples of the real thing.
FUN FACT: Brian calls legendary designer Charles Spencer Anderson, Uncle Chuck.
P.S. If I would have been on my game, I'd have taken a picture of him myself.
I recently made calls with Brian French in beautiful Traverse City.
Not only did I get to walk around downtown T.C., but I was with Brian French.
He's famous. People ask for his autograph. They really do. (They did the day I was with him).
For those of you not aware of who he is, Brian is 6th generation French. Son of Jerry, Grandson of Ed, of the French Paper Company fame.
Who doesn't love French Paper? Especially around here. After all they are located in Niles, Michigan. That makes them family owned, "local", Michigan based, and American made.
I experienced the "Brian phenomenon" with my own eyes.
Everyone wants to see him. It just so happens he is the fresh face of a 140 year old super cool company. An instant "in" around these parts. Funny thing is, he's just a regular guy. Brian's been known to answer the phone at French Paper Company when the receptionist is busy, he periodically has to clean out the basement at the mill, and when traveling for work he even sleeps on the floor at a friend's cottage to save money on hotel fees.
Told you he was just a regular guy.
Adding to his coolness factor, is the fact that he brought along French Swag on our trip, including the new French envelope promotion.
Have you seen it yet?
The New French Paper Envelope Promotion.
Although the info is not yet on their website:
French is now stocking 9 x 12 catalog
envelopes in 8 different colors!
Yiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeee. Bring on the color choices, no more white only.
The 9 x 12's come in Kraft Speckletone and 7 PopTone colors, including (Berrylicious, Black Licorice, Gumdrop Green, Hot Fudge, Orange Fizz, Razzleberry, Sour Apple).
And, it gets even better!
They are also stocking 6 x 6 Square envelopes in all colors of Construction, Poptone and Speckletone.
Yes, you heard me right.
You can get envelopes in super small quantities off the French website or, in boxes of 500 (for the catalogs) and 250 (for the squares) from CMP. Keep in mind they are not on our warehouse floor so there may be a 1-2 day wait for them.
Since I hadn't quite grasped another little tidbit, until my trip wth Brian, I thought I'd pass it along in case you missed it, too.
French stocks 4-Bars (aka A-1's) /3.62 x 5.12 in all colors. That is the smallest size envelope mailable without extra postage required, and it fits quite nicely into an A-6 as a reply card.
Ask for your French Envelope Promo today! Because French is not able to sample their envelopes, it gives you a great working tool with examples of the real thing.
FUN FACT: Brian calls legendary designer Charles Spencer Anderson, Uncle Chuck.
P.S. If I would have been on my game, I'd have taken a picture of him myself.
Monday, August 15, 2011
I'm A Paper Lover, Are you?
Terri's thoughts on paper.
Photos were taken at a Play With Paper event at Gilda's Club earlier this year.
Crafting was a natural thing to do there. Playing with paper, especially the really special paper that came in a "pad" of colors, was part of the weekend entertainment. I made thank you notes for every cocktail party, dinner get together, or day at the beach my family was invited to.
The paper I used was so special to me that I kept it in the linen closet, tucked away under the sheets so no one else could find it. I was afraid that if I left it out, my little sisters would get their hands on it and "waste" it.
Imagine my excitement nearly 15 years later when I got my first job in paper and walked into the sample department.
All that paper. All those colors and textures. I was definitely in paper heaven.
And truthfully, I still am.
I continue to love paper. I love the way it feels and the "thunk" it makes, the sound of scissors attacking it, the smell of markers decorating it. I love playing with paper and getting my hands on it. Typing on a keyboard, drawing on a monitor, reading on a screen just don't do it for me.
I have been lucky to have seen so many cool pieces designed on my papers over the years, to have been a part of the process of creating with paper.
As a kid I used to be afraid to put my pen to paper, for fear I would mess up and waste that beautiful paper. Working at a paper company, I've totally gotten over that. It helps me to know that using paper actually helps grow forests, which leads to more paper.
Paper is ... so many things to so many people. One thing I hope it never becomes, is extinct.
Help keep paper in the mix, via identities, notecards, folders, brochures, direct mail, in whatever way possible, "think paper" as a component of your next project.
And hey, if you need any crafting ideas....I've still got a few I can pull out and dust off from my younger days.
Labels:
Cmpaper,
crafting,
paper lover,
think paper
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Get Clipping! Boise Adds Box Tops For Education Labels To X-9 Multipurpose Ream Wraps
A pretty cool announcement was made back in May that slipped right past without the fanfare it deserved.....one of our suppliers, Boise®, joined up with Box Tops for Education!
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Such a great idea.
Quite by accident one afternoon I noticed that the current copy machine paper we were using here at CMP (we switch them around a lot) Boise® X-9 20# had actual box tops you can clip and save on the ream wraps. Interestingly enough there is also a QR Code included that takes you to a website explaining how and why they partnered up with Box Tops for Education).
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Here's more info on this great program which includes Boise Fireworx and HD:P branded papers as well : http://scr.bi/nXQuRr.
We think it is such a great idea that CMP would like to take it one step further....if your company would like to save the Box Tops off the reams of the X-9 you use for your copier, CMP will collect them and turn them into a local school for you.
If you are already into clipping and collecting them, and would like to turn them in yourself, by all means go for it! But if you 'd like some help following through with actually turning them in, we volunteer for the job.
I am personally one of those people who cannot throw away any kind of package that has the Box Tops label on it without clipping it, but then I throw it in a drawer and forget to turn them all in. Well, until that drawer gets cleaned, that is. (Which at my house, isn't very often).
CMP would like to make sure the clipped box tops off the reams of X-9 actually make it to a school where they can make a difference for students.
So, if you save them, we'll collect them. We'll also save ours here and turn them all into a school in need (hopefully in one large batch where the collective contribution will make an impact).
If you would like, we will happily pass along your company name to the school chosen to give you credit for your efforts, and will give you a "shout out" on our CMP Facebook and Twitter pages.
We might even be able to give some CMP swag (slang for CMP promotional items) for your Box Top saving efforts.
If you are interested in helping a local school out by saving the Boise® Box Tops for Education labels, contact Terri Spaulding via email at terris@cmpaper.com or call 616-676-9203 x 242. We appreciate your purchasing Boise® X-9 Multipurpose Paper from CMP, and for doing your part for education!
Additional links of interest:
http://www.boiseinc.com/products/imaging/BoxTops4Education.html
https://www.facebook.com/BoxTopsForEducation#!/BoxTopsForEducation
http://www.boisex9.com/
Such a great idea.
Quite by accident one afternoon I noticed that the current copy machine paper we were using here at CMP (we switch them around a lot) Boise® X-9 20# had actual box tops you can clip and save on the ream wraps. Interestingly enough there is also a QR Code included that takes you to a website explaining how and why they partnered up with Box Tops for Education).
Here's more info on this great program which includes Boise Fireworx and HD:P branded papers as well : http://scr.bi/nXQuRr.
We think it is such a great idea that CMP would like to take it one step further....if your company would like to save the Box Tops off the reams of the X-9 you use for your copier, CMP will collect them and turn them into a local school for you.
If you are already into clipping and collecting them, and would like to turn them in yourself, by all means go for it! But if you 'd like some help following through with actually turning them in, we volunteer for the job.
I am personally one of those people who cannot throw away any kind of package that has the Box Tops label on it without clipping it, but then I throw it in a drawer and forget to turn them all in. Well, until that drawer gets cleaned, that is. (Which at my house, isn't very often).
CMP would like to make sure the clipped box tops off the reams of X-9 actually make it to a school where they can make a difference for students.
So, if you save them, we'll collect them. We'll also save ours here and turn them all into a school in need (hopefully in one large batch where the collective contribution will make an impact).
If you would like, we will happily pass along your company name to the school chosen to give you credit for your efforts, and will give you a "shout out" on our CMP Facebook and Twitter pages.
We might even be able to give some CMP swag (slang for CMP promotional items) for your Box Top saving efforts.
If you are interested in helping a local school out by saving the Boise® Box Tops for Education labels, contact Terri Spaulding via email at terris@cmpaper.com or call 616-676-9203 x 242. We appreciate your purchasing Boise® X-9 Multipurpose Paper from CMP, and for doing your part for education!
Additional links of interest:
http://www.boiseinc.com/products/imaging/BoxTops4Education.html
https://www.facebook.com/BoxTopsForEducation#!/BoxTopsForEducation
http://www.boisex9.com/
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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) :
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.
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
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.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Augmented Reality: Keeping Print Relevant
“There exist limitless opportunities in every industry. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier.” --Charles F. Kettering, American engineer, inventor of the electric starter
I'm old.
So it goes without saying that I am a little slow to catch onto new things.
I thought I was keeping up with technology. In a short while I have attempted to learn social media, delved into understanding digital printing, embraced blogging, acknowledged that there are things like PURL's and Variable data, heck I finally just figured out QR codes.
And then comes.... augmented reality. Huh?
I'm fairly certain I do not fully understand this concept yet, but I did a little preliminary research and I have to say the application is ....cool beans. Check out this link that was most helpful to me in understanding the concept.
Why does it seem that my mind keeps getting blown away by the advancements becoming available to us in the not so distant future?
Don't say it, I know what you are thinking... because I'm old. But being old does not mean I can't have an open mind.
So, thank you Print Media Centr for opening my eyes to the latest and greatest new technology available for companies to incorporate into their printed materials to make them both relevant and current. And for use in other printed applications as well. Places like text books, t-shirts, movie posters, and oh my, the list might just be endless.
Please check out this post from Print Media Centr, which gives examples of how augmented reality is currently being used in print campaigns. And be sure to follow along to the conclusion of the article Deb Corn references from the Marsid M & M Group Blog. They also share a ton of useful information and examples.
I'm not sure who said this first, but I personally love it: Print is not Dying, it’s Evolving!
Amen to that. ---Terri
I'm old.
So it goes without saying that I am a little slow to catch onto new things.
I thought I was keeping up with technology. In a short while I have attempted to learn social media, delved into understanding digital printing, embraced blogging, acknowledged that there are things like PURL's and Variable data, heck I finally just figured out QR codes.
And then comes.... augmented reality. Huh?
I'm fairly certain I do not fully understand this concept yet, but I did a little preliminary research and I have to say the application is ....cool beans. Check out this link that was most helpful to me in understanding the concept.
Why does it seem that my mind keeps getting blown away by the advancements becoming available to us in the not so distant future?
Don't say it, I know what you are thinking... because I'm old. But being old does not mean I can't have an open mind.
So, thank you Print Media Centr for opening my eyes to the latest and greatest new technology available for companies to incorporate into their printed materials to make them both relevant and current. And for use in other printed applications as well. Places like text books, t-shirts, movie posters, and oh my, the list might just be endless.
Please check out this post from Print Media Centr, which gives examples of how augmented reality is currently being used in print campaigns. And be sure to follow along to the conclusion of the article Deb Corn references from the Marsid M & M Group Blog. They also share a ton of useful information and examples.
I'm not sure who said this first, but I personally love it: Print is not Dying, it’s Evolving!
Amen to that. ---Terri
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