Summer Club Cocktails

Dirty Martini  is an exclusive chain of seven London cocktail bars. As their name might suggest, they have a bespoke range of Martinis and signature cocktails.

The bars all have glamorous interiors and some of London’s best DJs regularly perform live sets at the bars.

This is the Summer Cocktails menu offering five exclusive and reasonably priced cocktails. The summer promotion is called Summerclub.

The simple 4pp menu is very simply printed in one colour, offset litho on our Stardream Gold 285gsm. Size is 160x90mm, portrait. Stardream is a mica coated board with a pearlescent/metallic finish.

Very kindly, Jason Maclaren at Cantate sent me file copies. I asked him to write a couple of paragraphs to explain the project...

"My client wanted to promote a drinks promotion and had no idea what paper to use, initially the brief was an ‘orange’ look, with black foil and a short text section. After looking at various finishes, combined with the problems in procuring material held at a paper mill in Italy (a 7 day delay) it was finally settled to use a more cost effective material called Stardream Gold, held in the UK by Fenner Paper ...and almost 60% cheaper than an alternative board from Bavaria!

A simple choice of paper adds gravitas to an important brand, this brand has used exquisite papers / finishes for its main menu. Having used fully oxidising inks, the sheets were movable 24 hours later allowing delivery 24 hours after this, in time for the launch. Having a knowledge of papers available, combined with simple planning, and simple technical research enabled a fast turnaround. It proves that relationships with your paper suppliers helps you to provide a solution for your clients."   Jason Maclaren, Cantate 

This is a project which is simple, from an "ink on paper" point of view has been well creased - something that is often overlooked. As you can see from the image below, a nice crisp well creased fold.

 

Print is by Cantate, a division of the John Good Group and thanks to Jason Maclaren at Cantate for sending me file copies and for his insight into the reasons for using this board.

http://dirtymartini.uk.com/

http://www.cantatecommunications.com/
http://www.cordenons.co.uk/

Posted by Justin Hobson 14.07.2015

Sad demise of Paperlinx in the UK

Yesterday it was announced that the Paperlinx group companies were placed in administration (in common parlance that means gone bust). Staff have been sent home and the phones are not being answered. This is not an April fool joke.

Paperlinx is the Australian company which owns three UK paper merchants that you will be familiar with: Robert Horne, Howard Smith and The Paper Co.

You can read more about it on the Printweek website:
http://www.printweek.com/print-week/news/1150685/breaking-deloitte-appointed-at-paperlinx-uk-most-branches-closed

Regular readers of this blog may well remember that I had a bit of a 'run in' with Paperlinx and their solicitors after posting a hyperlink (with allegedly defamatory remarks) when I wrote about Toby Marchant's 'golden goodbye' departure:
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/toby-marchant-exits-paperlinx.html
Sadly, Graham Critchley, who ran the website exposing the shananagins at Paperlinx (and who's blog I linked to) passed away in January 2014. The financial troubles at Paperlinx have persisted resulting in this rather final and drastic action for the UK division.

It is very sad for our industry and for the near one thousand staff working in the UK for the group. Although this may have been a chronically mismanaged company, it sadly highlights the bad state that the paper and printing industry is in. Definitely no laughing matter here.

http://www.printweek.com/print-week/news/1150698/merchants-move-to-plug-paperlinx-gap

Posted by Justin Hobson 02.04.2014

Fenner Paper 2015 Diary

If you are a wonderful customer and therefore a deserving user of our papers, you should have already received your new 2015 diary in the post, here's a sneak preview, if you haven't yet received it.

As in previous years, the diary is 230x162mm, portrait and retains the popular 'month to view' format. The cover board is on a 'special making' of our Stardream metallic/pearlescent board with a linear embossing called Canneté. There are four different covers (on Lapislazuli, Onyx, Anthracite & Bronze) all on 285gsm and all printed offset litho in Pantone 877 silver.

 

The 40pp text is simply printed in one colour, offset litho, on our lovely Offenbach Bible 60gsm. Superb opacity and a truly lovely writing surface makes this an ideal paper for a diary or notebook.

If you haven't yet received a diary and feel you deserve one because you use our paper, please email me.

If you aren't a user of our papers and just fancy one anyway! ...they are available for purchase, just e-mail me for prices.

justin@fennerpaper.co.uk

Posted by Justin Hobson 02.01.2015

New "pocket" swatch for Stardream

We've just produced a new swatch for our range of Stardream, which is the market leading pearlescent and metallic paper range produced by the Cordenons paper mill in Italy. Many people have become fans of the light irridescent finishes and the dual sided deep metallic finishes which do truly shimmer. Stardream is used for a wide range of applications, including cover, presentation folders, Invitations, greetings cards and luxury packaging.

This new swatch is a handy smaller DL size (210x99mm) but still includes the whole range, with "chips" glued on, to show the wide spectrum of colours

As well as being available in the 31 shades, Stardream comes in a good weight range. All items are available in 120gsm and 285gsm with some of the most popular items also available in 340gsm board and a 110gsm one sided (particularly used for luxury packaging - paper over board boxes and casebound covers).

You can see the whole range here: http://www.cordenons.co.uk/
If you would like to receive one of the new Stardream swatches, just email me (justin@fennerpaper.co.uk) and I'll pop one in the post.

http://www.cordenons.co.uk/
http://www.gruppocordenons.com/en/

Posted by Justin Hobson 28.10.2014

Sopianae Brand Book

This project is a brandbook for Sopianae, which is the most well known cigarette brand in Hungary. This book covers the history and culture of the brand whilst explaining the relationship with the Rountable Agency who are their brand communication consultancy.

 

It is a very large book at 415mmx260mm! It comes with a slipcase and the whole print package is superb and made extra special by the binding.



This is generally described as 'Japanese Binding' as it is in the Size|Format|Stock pamphlet that I wrote, although as I've pointed out in the same publication, terminology is certainly not universal - I doubt if they call this Japanese binding in Japan!

The cover is formed by a 2mm greyboard which is silkscreened in three colours and mounted on the cover. The 64pp text is on a mixture of an uncoated ivory coloured paper (unknown) and our Stardream Crystal 120gsm from Cordenons in Italy.

Now what has made this project particularly worthy of note is that there were not that many copies produced, so in the main, this job was produced on a digital press (HP Indigo). However because of some of the 'throw outs' - such as below, some of the pages had to be printed offset litho as the format of the digital press (in this case SRA3) wasn't large enough.

So the clever thing, from a print point of view, was to get the litho and digital sheets to match! not that easy to do but the end result is superb - as you can see below digital meets litho on the same spread.

The other thing that makes it slightly less complicated is that Stardream is kept in stock as HP Indigo ready, as well as the sheets for offset litho.

Stardream is a pearlescent and metallic range which shimmers and the pic below may give some idea of how it looks:

Design is by the Roundtable Agency. Head of Art is Franco Reda.

 

Printing and the terrific binding - which was all achieved in house is by Zone Graphics. They truly have excelled.

http://www.roundtableagency.co.uk/
www.zonegraphics.co.uk

Posted by Justin Hobson 14.08.2014

Five Dollar Shake ...on Stardream

Many readers of this blog will have purchased a greeting card or two from this remarkable greeting card publisher, Five Dollar Shake. Based in Hastings and established in 1998, they design and manufacture all their cards in the UK, including the application of the crystals, sequins, bows and trinkets that many of their ranges are renowned for.  

This new range of cards is produced on a bespoke production of our lovely Stardream board, made by Cordenons in Italy. For those not familiar, Stardream is a pearlescent/metallic range which shimmers beautifully. The board for these cards is made especially with a stripy emboss (called Cannetè) with a coloured reverse (see below pic) which complements the outside of the card, enabling a message to be written inside with ink or ballpoint pen.

The size of the cards is 160mm square. This particular range of cards is hot foil blocked only, the 'appy birthday card (above) in four different foil colours! The cards are also embossed on the foiled area and you can see the wonderful depth of embossing on this 80th Birthday card...



The "Henries" are the awards for the greeting card industry (named after the inventor of the greeting card - Sir Henry Cole) - their industry equivalent of the D&AD Awards (www.thehenriesawards.co.uk) and Five Dollar Shake have won over twenty awards in the last fifteen years ...pretty amazing stuff!
Creative director at Five Dollar Shake is Beth Genower.

These cards are exquisitely hot foil blocked and embossed by Robert Armstrong, who is based in Keighley, Yorkshire. Intricate and impeccably produced.

http://www.fivedollarshake.com/

robertarmstrong59@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.cordenons.co.uk/

Posted by Justin Hobson 07.03.2014

Stardream - Fine Gold

Earlier this year we took over UK distribution of Stardream from Robert Horne (see my previous post: http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/stardream-some-exciting-news.html). Since then, we have been working closely with the Italian manufacturer Cordenons, to further develop the product. An exciting development is a brand new shade called Fine Gold, which is amazing and looks just like ...gold!

It comes in 120gsm and 285gsm and is available from stock right now!  It joins the two other shades, Gold and Antique Gold plus the 29 other pearlescent and metallic shades in the range. 

 

If you would like samples of the new shade or if you haven't already got a swatch and would like one, just give me a call or send an e-mail.

www.cordenons.co.uk

Posted by Justin Hobson 25.09.2012

Toby Marchant exits Paperlinx

Yesterday, Paperlinx announced the resignation of its chief executive, Toby Marchant (did he jump or was he pushed?) For those that don't know, he's been the guy at the head of Australian based Paperlinx. If you're wondering what that's got to do with this blog and you - it's because they own Robert Horne, Howard Smith and The Paper Co -names of UK paper merchants which many of you will be familiar with. 

Toby Marchant started as a paper merchant in the UK, eventually becoming Managing Director of the loss making Modo Merchants (now closed down). He jumped ship at the end of the 90's to the profitable Robert Horne Group and after overseeing years of declining profitability, he was promoted (!) through the ranks of  the parent company, Paperlinx, ending up as CEO (...nice work!)

For Paperlinx, which a decade ago was worth more than (Aus)$2 Billion (-yes, you did read that correctly), there are many issues - it now has a market capitalisation of only (Aus)$25 Million (Source: Sydney Morning Herald) - having recently sold off operations in South Africa, Italy and Eastern Europe, it is contending with hostile shareholders trying to reverse several years of corporate losses and it's bankers. Suppliers appear to be withdrawing products; Zanders have withdrawn Chromolux, ArjoWiggins have stopped supplying their recycled ranges, Cordenons have withdrawn their Stardream range and suppliers are struggling to get credit insurance cover. Other executives including Malcolm Lane-Ley, Managing Director of Howard Smith and The PaperCo is also leaving at the end of this month.

Robert Horne Paper was the revered company in the UK paper industry, as a supplier, customer and employer. I was fortunate enough to meet Kenneth Horne in 1995 and I even bought the book he published "Somebody said that it couldn't be done" which documented his three decades at the helm of the company founded by his grandfather - and make no mistake, it was a great company. It will certainly be sad for the UK industry if the end result of Paperlinx involvement means that this and the sister companies simply disappear.

Hundreds (if not thousands) of jobs have been lost in the UK paper industry in recent years. I hope that Toby Marchant, who is set to receive a "banker style" golden goodbye of one year's salary (after only 2 years as CEO) will reflect on this whilst lying on his sun lounger!

http://www.smh.com.au/business/news-takes-a-page-from-paperlinx-20120717-228fo.html
www.paperlinx.com
http://www.printweek.com/bulletin/printweekdailybulletin/article/1141767/paperlinxs-toby-marchant-give-interim-chief-executive-dave-allen/

Posted by Justin Hobson 18.07.2012

28th September Update
Printweek reports today that Marchant ended his employment with Paperlinx on a salary of £363,545 after he took a 15% voluntary pay cut on 1 April (April Fools day!) this year. Tobes gets 12 months salary as part of his "mutual" decision to leave the company. On top of this, he was given £26,000 in accrued entitlements to bonuses for completed asset sales in 2011/2012 and £21,648 to compensate for untaken annual leave. I'm sure everyone in Northampton will be pleased to know that he'll be comfortably off in his retirement.
http://www.printweek.com/news/1152474/Paperlinx-AGM-postponed-chairman-leaves-prematurely/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

===============================================
10th October 2012 - Important update
A link to an Australian website run by a Paperlinx shareholder has been REMOVED from this post, following a legal notice sent to me by a solicitor acting for Paperlinx Limited.
I have written about this on the following post:
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/paperlinx-gets-stroppy.html
===============================================
As with everything written on this blog, the views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Fenner Paper Company Ltd!

Stardream - answering your questions.

Since my post on Tuesday (below) about our new Stardream range, I've had quite a few e-mails asking for swatches (thank you - they are on the way). I've also had quite a few comments both on the blog and e-mails asking how we've ended up being the stockist.

So, how come we are now the UK distributor?

Well, there's a bit of a story here but basically up until now it has been stocked by the (once mighty) Robert Horne Group.

These days Robert Horne is a division of the loss making Australian based Paperlinx (as is Howard Smith and Paper Co). Unfortunately Paperlinx is in a financially perilous state which has been much reported in the press. There have been rafts of redundancies and other cuts which culminated last November, when Robert Horne announced that it was closing it's entire branch network.
http://www.printweek.com/news/1106823/Robert-Horne-centralises-sales-Northampton-regional-sales-offices-close/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

Subsequently, Italian paper manufacturer Cordenons, approached us to see if we would be prepared to work with them and improve the availability of Stardream for designers and printers in the UK. We thought about it, said OK and here we are!   

It's a tough time in the print and paper industry at the moment and although in this instance Robert Horne's loss is our gain, it's important to remember that this is against the backdrop of things being very hard in the paper/print industry. I'm sure there are many other mills also contemplating their distribution arrangements.

The following links show some backround about the Robert Horne/Paperlinx situation:
http://www.printweek.com/news/1122504/Paperlinx-sells-its-Italian-business-Lecta/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

http://www.printweek.com/news/1120351/Paperlinx-suspends-interest-payments-its-Step-up-Preference-shares/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

http://www.printweek.com/news/1115540/Paperlinx-investors-bid-oust-chair-appoint-representative-director/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH

http://www.roberthorne.co.uk/
http://www.paperlinx.com.au/
http://www.cordenons.co.uk/

Posted by Justin Hobson 24.05.2012

Stardream ..some exciting news!

As most regular readers will know, I don't write this blog to shamelessly 'flog' our papers and I rarely just plug our products ...but I'm going to now!

I'm very pleased to announce here that we (here at Fenner Paper) are now the UK stockists of STARDREAM.

For many of you, Stardream will need no introduction, it's the market leading pearlescent and metallic paper range produced by the Cordenons paper mill in Italy. Many people have become fans of the light irridescent finishes and the dual sided deep metallic finishes which do truly shimmer.

...and it comes in 31 shimmering shades! 

Stardream is used for a wide range of applications, including cover, presentation folders, Invitations, greetings cards, luxury packaging and a whole host of other stuff that I haven't thought of!

As well as being available in the 31 shades, it comes in a good weight range. All items are available in 120gsm and 285gsm with some of the most popular items also available in 340gsm board and a 110gsm one sided (particularly used for luxury packaging - paper over board boxes and casebound covers). And if that weren't enough, the range also includes three embossings, Orion, Seta and Cannetè.

You can see the whole range here: http://www.cordenons.co.uk/

..and here's our lovely new swatch...

One of the most important things about these ranges is good availability and we certainly don't want to disappoint! So, we have put every single item of the mill's stock range into our warehouse here in Tonbridge, so availability should be truly excellent (- we hope!)

Here's a picture of the Cordenons mill and paper machine in Italy:








...and there's even a picture of me shaking hands at the mill on our new agreement, with the mill's (special) agent Terry Wakeman.

If you would like to receive one of the new Stardream swatches, just email me (justin@fennerpaper.co.uk) and I'll pop one in the post.

http://www.cordenons.co.uk/
http://www.gruppocordenons.com/en/

Posted by Justin Hobson 22.05.2012