Neenah Paper announced the launch of The Beauty of Letterpress, a website that celebrates letterpress printing and its creators with the first virtual, community-‐based gallery of modern letterpress samples and resources.The Beauty of Letterpress Gallery presents letterpress work from notable letterpress printers, designers, and artisans from around the country including Rohner Letterpress, Studio on Fire, Two Paperdolls, and Mama’s Sauce. The site features selections from a new curator each month. Letterpress history, context, educational information, community connections and a list of letterpress printers round out the site.
Letterpress printing continues its renaissance in the digital age because of its extraordinary beauty and tactility. “When art or type is pressed into sumptuous paper, it creates a physical impression that simply begs to be touched,” said Tom Wright, senior director of advertising and design for Neenah Paper. “We believe the extraordinary, communicative power of letterpress printing and the community of people who make it happen deserve a special place—The Beauty of Letterpress celebrates and honors the modernity of this 500-‐year old craft.”
While developing this virtual letterpress home for the 21st century, the creators could not help but consider the physical move of Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum (woodtype.org) the landmark institution preserving the rich history and assets of letterpress dating to the birth of letterpress in the 15th century. The Beauty of Letterpress launches with a Neenah Paper, Inc. initiative to help raise $30,000 in funds for the Museum’s move through matching donations and gifts of limited edition prints to designers, letterpress printers and admirers of this craft.
In addition to featuring the work of artists, The Beauty of Letterpress highlights CRANE Papers and Neenah Paper and offers paper samples, videos and many community resources. Letterpress printers, designers, lovers and aficionados are invited to submit work to The Beauty of Letterpress, subscribe to the RSS to see new work in real-‐time, and join its dedicated online communities on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter (@BoLetterPress).
The Beauty of Letterpress is a sister site to The Beauty of Engraving launched by Neenah Paper last year. Both initiatives were developed in partnership with Two Paperdolls and feature CRANE® Papers. CRANE’S LETTRA® Papers, CRANE’S CREST® Papers and CRANE’S BOND® Papers are marketed and sold by Neenah Paper.
About Neenah Paper
For more than 100 years, Neenah Paper (NYSE: NP) has been an innovative leader in the creation and manufacturing of premium, specialty and sustainable papers used for premium writing, text, cover, private watermarks, and specialty needs. The Neenah signature portfolio includes market leading brands such as CLASSIC®, ENVIRONMENT®, CRANE® and SUNDANCE® Papers, and in 2012 the company added the ASTROBRIGHT® and ROYAL Brands. The company also produces envelopes in thousands of unique styles.
Neenah is committed to developing relevant mobile and online technologies including the Neenah Paper Cabinet™ for Desktop tool and the new Neenah Cabinet™ for iPad app. With multiple manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, prime importance is also placed on recycled and alternative fiber products through the NeenahGreen initiative. Visit www.neenahpaper.com for more information or call (800) 558-‐5061. Follow Neenah Paper on Twitter: @neenahpaper; subscribe to the Neenah Facebook page; or visit AgainsttheGrain, Neenah’s blog for designers, printers and paper-‐lovers.
