Graphic Design Paper Basics

How to spec paper from Mohawk Papers and Fabra DiPaolo, a print buyer

August 5, 2009 | Graphic Design, Trends

Last week I met with my local Mohawk Paper representative, Malina Weigel to look at paper swatch books for an upcoming project. We talk about a great resource called Paper Basics from Mohawk which I thought I would share. I find it is very important to involve my client, printer and paper vendor at the beginning stages of any design project. This enables all expectations to be on the table and to see any potential issues with timing or budget before they happen.

I spoke to Mohawk’s marketing department who had this to share:
“After hours of designing in a two-dimensional virtual reality, you eventually have to take your plan to the third dimension of a printed piece. Making that leap requires paper: tactile, touchable, feel-good paper. Specifying the right paper to realize your vision affects the look and feel of the final product just as much as the colors, fonts, images and layouts you select. Paper Basics, an edition in the Mohawk Fine Papers Ask Mohawk series, is your guide to specifying the perfect paper. For other information in the Mohawk series, visit www.mohawkpaper.com“

Here are key questions for any client or designer to ask themselves when selecting the right paper for their project.

Now you have the paper, now what happens on press?

I saw one of my favorite people, Fabra Di Paolo, Paper Source’s print buyer, at the Jennifer Morla AIGA Chicago event this month and asked her for some key tips and techniques she keeps in mind while on press.

“When I first started print buying I was given a great tip: Check for and adjust the registration at the beginning of the press ok, because sometimes if a sheet is out of register, it can affect the way the color appears on the sheet. Also, keep in mind that registration at the far edges of the sheet is harder to hold because the sheet will stretch a bit at the edges.

If you aren’t familiar with print buying, get your printer involved at the design/layout stage so that all production challenges can be addressed. This prevents creating a design that can’t be printed. And lastly, be mindful when printing on an uncoated sheet that the dot gain is greater and drying time can be longer.”

Thank you to Fabra, Malina and And Partners, NY (elegant and effective design of Paper Basics, check their website for more fab work!). For more information about Mohawk papers, or to request samples contact Malina Weigel at malina.weigel@mohawkpaper.com

Also see AIGA Chicago for a listing of our sponsors for more paper and printer vendors in the Chicago area.