How a legendary paper shaped 20th Century Graphic Design and redefined the Digital Age.
Widely known as the finest printing paper in the world today. Mohawk
Superfine is the signature paper of Mohawk, one of the leading manu
faclurersofhigh quality, digital print ready paper. Situated in a paper
mill in upstate New York, constructed during the Industrial Revolution
of the late 1800s and home to Mohawk since 1931. Mohawk today is
not only respected as a company that produces a unique combination
of luxury and craft, but also a mill that produces paper with amazing
response to the age of digital printing.
Superfine goes back to the earliest days of Mohawk. The paper was
originally made forgrcetingcards in the late 1910s. created with
a rare pulp due to fiber shortages during WWII. After New Kngland
salesmen had successfully sold the paperlo many accounts.came
the biggest breakthrough yet: Alvin Kisenman. one of the 20th century's
leadinggraphic design educators and founder of Yale University's
graduate program in graphic design, approached Mohawk to develop
acustom paper for the production of a book for Yale University Press.
With Kisenman developing an enduring relationship with Mohawk.
Superfine became a staple in the tool kit of the aspiringgraphic
designers whose careers Kisenman nurtured. As such. Superfine has
been used on projects as diverse as annual reports, collectable post
ersbyl’aul Rand and Seymour Chwast. writings by Benjamin franklin
and Dwight Kisenhower. as well as fine art books ranging from the
photographs of Alfred Sticglity. to Madonna's iconic 1992 book. Sex.
Tl»e qualities and results that made Superfine respected and exceptional
10 SO years ago are the same traits that make it a leader in the digital
world today. says Mohawk s VP of Business Development. Chris llarrold.
'Superfine has beautiful formation, legendary feel, and unmatched
variety of white shades. Businesses have selected Superfine because
of its tactile elegance."
The industry's move to digital printing a shift so paramount that
Mohawk has called it the "most significant watershed shift since offset
lithography replaced letterpress* proved that Mohawk was still an
innovator in its Geld and a leader in its craft: in the early 2000s. Mohawk
turned Superfine into the ultimate digital sheet.
‘Everything we do with Superfine Digital also has a reflection on the
reputation of our heritage Superfine products and we simply can't
afford to lower the bar." says Gavin Gaynor, Vice President Research
& Development at Mohawk, "from the very beginningof product
development we insisted that Superfine Digital would 'simply be the
best." And the best it is. Superfine Digital, with unique testing
of coatings, hasallowed designers and printers the highest quality
against any other digital sheet.
Our manufacturing team takes tremendous pride in producing Superfine,
and relishes the opportunity to see a beautiful printed piece. Gaynor
continues. "Many of our employees are second, and even third, generation
Mohawk employees and they all understand that it is one of the pillars
on wh ich Mohawk has been built. We have a number of great products
that we are very proud of. but Superfine is the one product family that
elicits a nearly unanimous emotional attachment. Our employees on the
floor will simply not compromise when it comes to product going out
the door wearing a Superfine label.*
‘Using Superfine for digital print can be the best way for designers or
printers to realize their best projects.’ llarrold explains. “Because
the default paper most printers use is coated gloss. Superftnc helps
any project become a more beautifully executed physical, tactile
presentation. The results and quality will be resoundingly better.*
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