MOHAWK Streamlines...and Old Friends.

Almost 21 years ago I went for my first job interview in the paper business.  That day I had lunch with Howard Olson, who would become my boss, and Rebecca Pilgrim, who would become my colleague and mentor.  With a nod to sentiment, Rebecca - who now handles specification and business development for Mohawk* in Atlanta -and I met last week for the first time since then in the same spot! 

It was a lot of fun to catch up with her and she spent time teaching me about the newest paper specification tool from their mill.  It's pretty different from anything we've seen in the past, and does an amazing job condensing a LOT of information into manageable parts. 

Over the last number of years Mohawk has grown and expanded their product portfolio through aquisition.  Brands like Beckett, Strathmore, Bravo, Kromekote and Carnival joined specifier favorites like Options, Superfine and more recent additions like Loop to create an incredibly diverse library of paper resources.  Time had come for streamlining the brands and simplifying the products. 


3 chip charts and a guide booklet come housed in a sleeve.

 Their very powerful online paper search tool can be found here.  But I'd encourage every Atlanta area Mohawk specifier to call us here at Mac Papers' and request a copy of the Streamline Introduction Booklet and 3 Chip Charts.  This will provide a great transitional reference guide before any new swatch books become available. 

In the meantime, hang on to your Mohawk (Beckett, Strathmore, Smart, Bravo, etc.) swatch books and fear not!  Just call 770-948-9959 if we can help you track down any paper you want but are having trouble locating.  Rebecca, thanks for the memories.  I look forward to what our futures hold!

*Footnote, this is MOHAWK - formerly Mohawk Fine Papers...not to be confused with the major carpet manufacturer here in Georgia!!

The Standard #5-SPECIAL EFFECTS. New from Sappi.

One of the finest collection of printed special effects I've ever seen is demonstrated in the Standard No. 5 published earlier this year by Sappi Fine Paper.  You may register for a FREE webinar being held tomorrow 2pm EST, June 19 at www.paperspecs.com/webinar.  The host will cover:

• Varnish, aqueous and UV coating techniques
• Specialty inks and spot colors
• Strike-through techniques and lenticular printing
• Laser diecutting, foil-stamping and embossing/debossing techniques
• Engraving, thermography and flocking

If you can't make the webinar, visit the webpage here.  Of course you may contact Mac Papers' Atlanta Sample Department at 770-948-9959 to obtain your personal copy.  It's inspiring and a real treasure for any print designer!  I had a personal introduction from our local rep, then heard the designer Kit Hinrichs and one of the illustrators divulge the production process at an AIGA Atlanta event in April.  Enjoy!

Sappi HANNOART has a new swatch book.

If you like bright, smooth, well-priced coated printing paper for offset and digital printing then you must like Sappi HannoArt.  This gorgeous paper comes in Silk and Gloss finishes and measures an impressive 96 Brightness.  Basis weights up to 130lb. Cover will delight any specifier. 

Here are pictures of the latest swatch book.  If you need it, simply contact Mac Papers' Atlanta Sample Department at 770-948-9959. Once you have it, please recycle the older versions!  

Bravo. Something different from Mohawk for digital print jobs!

Bravo is the name of the line of specialty digital substrates now under the Mohawk family umbrella and the swatch book looks like this. 

The newsletter they sent me described Bravo's contents this way,

 "Synthetic Materials  Perfect for applications including menus, wrist bands, ID cards, maps, flip charts and placemats where moisture or excessive wear are of concern, these sheets are built to last, yet are flexible and lightweight like paper.

• 5-mil and 7-mil polyester
• 10-mil and 15-mil PVC

Pressure Sensitive Materials
Offered in four different adhesive types and five different face stocks, these materials fit a wide range of applications including industrial labels, novelty stickers, repositionable signage, horticultural labels, window decals and CD labels.

• permanent, removable, ultra removable, and ultra cling adhesive
• papers, polyester and vinyl

Magnetic Materials
Mohawk Magnetic Materials are a unique way to increase ROI with an expanded range of marketing materials—business cards, picture frames, save-the-dates, sports schedules, signage, and more. They are offered in semi-gloss paper and matte polyester face stocks in three different weights: 13-mil, 14-mil and 17-mil sheets.
Embedded Materials
These peel-out magnetic or pop-out synthetic cards are embedded into paper base stock that’s great for personalized direct mail campaigns. They’re available in several formats including 4-up postcards. Perfect for announcements, coupons, calendars, membership cards, etc.

• embedded magnetic cards in 1-up and 4-up formats
• embedded synthetic cards in 1-up and 1-up, 2-wide formats

Mohawk Bravo Digital Substrates are:

• uniquely designed for digital color production presses including those using dry toner as well as HP Indigo ElectroInk
• formulated with a superior print surface and reliable performance across all digital color production equipment
• engineered to run smoothly and efficiently."

And I couldn't have said it better myself!  I've seen the stuff printed up and personalized and it's SO effective! Call Mac Papers Atlanta at 770-948-9959 if this is something you need!

New Weights in Neenah Durable Packaging Paper

One of our 100% Post-Consumer Folding Board Packaging Papers has just added new heavier weights.

Neenah Paper's Environment Folding Board now offers 20, 22, and 24 point in addition to the existing 18 point.  These make excellent, high quality packaging while being extremely sustainable!

You'll find more details here. 

Direct mail grade OPUS PS now available in a DULL finish.

Sappi recently announced their direct mail paper,  Opus PS, has become available in a Dull finish in 7, 8 and 9pt. 

The Dull compliments the existing Gloss and Matte giving you the flexibility of a third finish for this high quality web product. It meets U.S. Postal Service minimum caliper requirements and opticallly matches the rest of the Opus family of papers in your orange swatch book.

Opus PS Dull is FSC^® and SFI^® certified and is available with 10% PCW upon request. 

Contact Mac Papers Atlanta for unprinted sample sheets.

PhotoTex Removable, Reusable, Repositionable Printable Fabric

I'm excited about the cool new things we have to sell in the wide format printing arena..  One of them is this product called PhotoTex.  My understanding is it's a lot like the fathead products that have become so popular.


It  is a white, reusable, printable, polyester fabric that can be mounted to virtually any flat surface and re-positioned countless times while retaining its adhesion and without leaving a residue even brick walls! It can be printed with Solvent or Aqueous/Pigment & UV inks.


Photo Tex can be used both indoors and out in any weather condition, is water resistant and instant dry, it doesn't shrink or curl, tear or wrinkle, and it can be illuminated with backlighting. The adhesive does not weaken after several position changes as long as the adhesive stays clean.  I mean, how cool is that??  


The rolls widths are 17, 36, 42, and 54.  Lengths are 55 and 100ft and need to be specified for aqueous or solvent printing. There are several competitors, but this stuff is tried and true.  I ESPECIALLY love that it is free of Formaldehyde, or Phthalates.  (If that means anything to you, follow me on Twitter @GreenPaperGal)!


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