. So, paper choices were nowhere near as extensive as in the U.S.

I fell in love with a translucent Edward Dunlop paper with fine, white, slightly embossed stripes. Though the paper was noticeably thinner than the average business card and the price was higher, I took the chance.

Every time I handed out my card, I watched people feel the paper for its stripes and hold it up against the light (yes, it really was a translucent paper). Everyone commented on the cards and that is exactly what we designers want; an

We hear it on the news every day. The economy is doing much better, but you and I know budgets for paper and printing are still tight and the increase in postal charges is always a concern. Many designers are still challenged to find more creative ways to maximize their resources.

Reduced page counts and conservative print quantities are just some of the solutions. When it comes to paper, unusual finishes and surfaces, as well as the use of metallics and translucents are adding flair to one-color print jobs.

Value-Added Excitement
Specialty papers have the ability to add value and excitement to your projects. Whether you are designing a sophisticated fashion campaign or business cards for the local grocer, you want your designs to stand out.

Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest in specialty papers used in print projects. Specialty papers are a vivid contrast to computer-generated design and corporations are now eager to use them to create a softer image for themselves. The new generation of production techniques make it easier to convert, print and finish these papers.

Metallics
Having been around for the last few years, metallics are still very popular. Papers with an overall metallic shine or just flecks of metallics, iridescents and pearlescents in a mutlitude of colors are coming onto the market. See a different shade of color depending on the angle of the paper reflecting the light. Take a closer look at Stardream, Aspire Petallics, Curious Metallics, Dimensions, Icedream or Reaction, to name just a few.

Translucents
Now, metallics or iridescents are not only found in opaque papers, but in translucent papers as well. Translucents have come a long way since the days when they were only used as flysheets. Translucent papers make remarkable business cards, invitations and marketing materials on their own.

When I lived in Australia and started my own design studio, I needed a business card. Australia has 18 million inhabitants and only five paper merchants for the entire country. So, paper choices were nowhere near as extensive as in the U.S.

I fell in love with a translucent Edward Dunlop paper with fine, white, slightly embossed stripes. Though the paper was noticeably thinner than the average business card and the price was higher, I took the chance.

Every time I handed out my card, I watched people feel the paper for its stripes and hold it up against the light (yes, it really was a translucent paper). Everyone commented on the cards and that is exactly what we designers want; an

b>Value-Added Excitement
Specialty papers have the ability to add value and excitement to your projects. Whether you are designing a sophisticated fashion campaign or business cards for the local grocer, you want your designs to stand out.

Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest in specialty papers used in print projects. Specialty papers are a vivid contrast to computer-generated design and corporations are now eager to use them to create a softer image for themselves. The new generation of production techniques make it easier to convert, print and finish these papers.

Metallics
Having been around for the last few years, metallics are still very popular. Papers with an overall metallic shine or just flecks of metallics, iridescents and pearlescents in a mutlitude of colors are coming onto the market. See a different shade of color depending on the angle of the paper reflecting the light. Take a closer look at Stardream, Aspire Petallics, Curious Metallics, Dimensions, Icedream or Reaction, to name just a few.

Translucents
Now, metallics or iridescents are not only found in opaque papers, but in translucent papers as well. Translucents have come a long way since the days when they were only used as flysheets. Translucent papers make remarkable business cards, invitations and marketing materials on their own.

When I lived in Australia and started my own design studio, I needed a business card. Australia has 18 million inhabitants and only five paper merchants for the entire country. So, paper choices were nowhere near as extensive as in the U.S.

I fell in love with a translucent Edward Dunlop paper with fine, white, slightly embossed stripes. Though the paper was noticeably thinner than the average business card and the price was higher, I took the chance.

Every time I handed out my card, I watched people feel the paper for its stripes and hold it up against the light (yes, it really was a translucent paper). Everyone commented on the cards and that is exactly what we designers want; an

of production techniques make it easier to convert, print and finish these papers.

Metallics
Having been around for the last few years, metallics are still very popular. Papers with an overall metallic shine or just flecks of metallics, iridescents and pearlescents in a mutlitude of colors are coming onto the market. See a different shade of color depending on the angle of the paper reflecting the light. Take a closer look at Stardream, Aspire Petallics, Curious Metallics, Dimensions, Icedream or Reaction, to name just a few.

Translucents
Now, metallics or iridescents are not only found in opaque papers, but in translucent papers as well. Translucents have come a long way since the days when they were only used as flysheets. Translucent papers make remarkable business cards, invitations and marketing materials on their own.

When I lived in Australia and started my own design studio, I needed a business card. Australia has 18 million inhabitants and only five paper merchants for the entire country. So, paper choices were nowhere near as extensive as in the U.S.

I fell in love with a translucent Edward Dunlop paper with fine, white, slightly embossed stripes. Though the paper was noticeably thinner than the average business card and the price was higher, I took the chance.

Every time I handed out my card, I watched people feel the paper for its stripes and hold it up against the light (yes, it really was a translucent paper). Everyone commented on the cards and that is exactly what we designers want; an

on, to name just a few.

Translucents
Now, metallics or iridescents are not only found in opaque papers, but in translucent papers as well. Translucents have come a long way since the days when they were only used as flysheets. Translucent papers make remarkable business cards, invitations and marketing materials on their own.

When I lived in Australia and started my own design studio, I needed a business card. Australia has 18 million inhabitants and only five paper merchants for the entire country. So, paper choices were nowhere near as extensive as in the U.S.

I fell in love with a translucent Edward Dunlop paper with fine, white, slightly embossed stripes. Though the paper was noticeably thinner than the average business card and the price was higher, I took the chance.

Every time I handed out my card, I watched people feel the paper for its stripes and hold it up against the light (yes, it really was a translucent paper). Everyone commented on the cards and that is exactly what we designers want; an

. So, paper choices were nowhere near as extensive as in the U.S.

I fell in love with a translucent Edward Dunlop paper with fine, white, slightly embossed stripes. Though the paper was noticeably thinner than the average business card and the price was higher, I took the chance.

Every time I handed out my card, I watched people feel the paper for its stripes and hold it up against the light (yes, it really was a translucent paper). Everyone commented on the cards and that is exactly what we designers want; an outstanding look and feel for our projects.

At a recent AIGA event, I sat across from a designer who had taken my idea one step further. He handed me a translucent business card printed on both sides, creating a truly special effect.

The variety of colors, textures and weights of translucent papers has increased dramatically. Consider choosing Crom?tica, Chartham Translucent, Evanescent, Gilclear or Glama Natural. Add a contrasting flysheet to your standard black and white booklet, a simple spot color printing or blind embossing and create a memorable impression.

Discover Textures
The European market has led the way in using more textured papers and has even given traditional Laid papers a new surge of interest. Exciting new patterns are pressed into the paper during the manufacturing process, which give it a raised or depressed surface.

The new textured surfaces are exceptional in coated and uncoated papers. Distinctive papers that look and feel like leather (yes, leather … it’s called Alezan), suede (SuedeTex) and rubber (Curious Touch or Plike) bring that extra oomph to a project. These textures adapt well to a variety of printing processes, as well as embossing and die-cutting.

Unusual Alternatives
Look out for niche mills coming to the market with even more unique papers. One new paper is covered with heat-sensitive flecks. When it is handled, the flecks disappear, only to return again when the paper surface is untouched (Curious Cool Fire). What will they think of next?

Don’t forget about papers made from alternative fibers, such as beer, money flakes, hemp, kenaf, coffee, garlic, even bananas. They might not be for your day-to-day jobs, but there is a special application for them waiting to be designed.

Though we hear about the fluctuations of paper companies, mills and paper lines, the choice of paper has never been this unique and elaborate. Translucents, metallics, holographics, synthetics, unique finishes and patterns, weights and colors and tear-resistant papers are just some of the new papers