WRONG!

In this country, there are very few more “sustainable” and “eco-friendly” products than paper. Paper is made from a renewable resource and is fully recyclable. Paper manufacturers use renewable energy sources. Paper manufacturers carefully manage their raw materials, trees and forests, and are committed to sustainable forestry. Continuously replanting and regrowing forests, like the paper industry, does help the environment.

Paper is inexpensive, user friendly and rarely has a virus!

However, if people decide en masse to NOT use and buy paper, then paper manufacturers will stop making paper, stop regrowing forests, stop maintaining forests, and there will be a net loss of trees. In fact, statistics show that the paper manufacturing industry outpaces tree growth by 34%. Today in the US, we have 360% MORE trees than we did in 1920!

All of those good things will disappear if we as consumers STOP or CURTAIL our use of paper.

So go ahead, print out that email, order those paper brochures, buy an actual newspaper and book.

AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT!

For more information, see Down to Earth, a publication by International Paper.

Paula Smith / Paula@curryprint.com / Office: 410.685.2679

You can also … connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter!

Well, it’s true. Have you experienced how one negative person can sour an entire roomful of otherwise happy people?

DON’T BE THAT GUY! Don’t be the one complaining about your job. Or the weather. Or your in-laws. Or the traffic.

Maybe you are not the biggest optimist in the world, maybe you are more of a realist? If so, then you should avoid bad apples at all costs!

Don’t you feel happier and better when you associate with cheerful, optimistic people? Doesn’t being with someone who is always complaining (warranted or not) bring you down?

Do you feel empowered when you are around people with a can-do attitude and demeanor? Positive attitudes become positive energy, and that type of cycle just feeds on itself until it is a natural state of being for you.

Ditch the bad apples, and hang with the happy honeys, you will find yourself happier too!

Paula Smith / Paula@curryprint.com / Office: 410.685.2679

You can also … connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter!

Yes, dogs can have all of those mildly negative characteristics, but try these: Loyal, friendly, loving, faithful, warm, caring, life-extending.

Now, you’re talking!

Pets can truly be your lifeline during trying and difficult times, such as recessions or personal economic downturns. You can turn to them for loving comfort, for unwavering affection, for non-judgmental support, for unconditional forgiveness.

Yes, pets require a great deal of work. There is the cost associated with food, health care, toys, etc. You have to exercise them. You have to care for them when you are not home. You may be restricted by how long you can be away from home. Your home may not look as clean or pristine as it would but for your pets.

IT IS WORTH IT!

Although it is a large investment and commitment, research shows that people who have pets tend to live happier, healthier, and longer lives. How about the great feeling you get by rescuing a poor, unhappy, lonely dog from a pound, and saving it from a life behind bars, or an unnecessary death?

Think about it…there is nothing like coming home every day to a family member who is thrilled to see you, who looks at you like you are the most wonderful person in the world, who acts as if they haven’t seen you in years by the magnitude of the welcome you get.

No, not talking about your husband, I’m talking about your DOG!

Paula Smith / Paula@curryprint.com / Office: 410.685.2679

You can also … connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter!

And stared unblinking and unbelieving at the approximately 10 million color choices you have available?

Well, paper can be like that too.

If you allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the number of selections, you may work yourself into a type of paralysis analysis where you may never make a decision.

Sometimes it is better to let the experts help guide your choice.

As discussed last week, it is best to let form follow function. Often, by looking at what the purpose and use of the piece is, it will become self-evident to an expert which type of paper to use. There is room for creativity and self-expression without causing undue expense or production issues.

Most printing companies should have about a thousand different paper swatch and sample books from dozens of paper manufacturers and merchants. They can glean from your input which papers to direct you too, saving you time, money and aggravation. They can let you know which papers have less expensive substitutes, which papers are available without buying lots and lots from the mill as a special order, which papers will work best with the inks and processes chosen.

Don’t stress over the many, many paper choices…instead allow your trusted printer to help guide your choice. During difficult economic times, it is often possible to find great bargains on wonderful, top quality papers!

Paula Smith / Paula@curryprint.com / Office: 410.685.2679

You can also … connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter!

Paper is truly an interesting topic, and I might even be able to get a couple of blogs in about it without boring anyone into a coma.

Let’s give it a try.

Paper can be described by its characteristics.

First, there is weight. This is usually expressed either as gsms (grams per square inch) or pounds. On any ream-wrapped paper, you will normally find both measurements.

Second, paper is described by its grade. Some different grades include bond, text, cover, coated, offset and label.

Third, white paper has a particular brightness, normally measured on a 100 scale, with the higher number meaning the paper is brighter (the more light it reflects).

Fourth, paper has a “grain,” or the direction which most of its fibers lie. You can test grain direction by folding…if you get a smooth fold, that is the direction of the grain.

Fifth, paper has an opacity level, or how much “show through” there is when printing on both sides of a sheet. Normally, the heavier the paper, the more opaque it is.

The type of paper you select for a job is really dependent on several factors. What is the purpose of the piece? (Will it mail, and thus need a specific weight demanded by the post office? Will it be handed out and thus subject to finger prints? Is there a required paper to use by your corporate marketing department? Is there a mandate to use recycled paper?) How long does it need to last? What is the budget for the piece? Will the piece fold, or have any other type of finishing? How large is the piece? How quickly is the piece needed?

Paper has a heart and soul, and it is always best to remember that when working with paper. At Curry, we have a saying:

BE ONE WITH THE PAPER.

If you respect the paper, it will do what you want (and you may get less paper cuts!).

Paula Smith / Paula@curryprint.com / Office: 410.685.2679

You can also … connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter!