An Eye for Quality

All Arches papers are hand sorted, for strict quality control. The only way to ensure that Arches standards are met is through visual inspection of each and every sheet. Just as it has been done for the last five hundred years.

The Watermark of Authenticity

The Arches watermark is the artists' proof of authenticity and quality, a method as old as papermaking itself. Watermarks are created by hand, by craftsmen who solder or sew the mark onto the cylinder screen, cre-ating a raised area. Less pulp settles in this area, creating a subtle mark of more transparency than the rest of the sheet, whose presence is revealed when held to light. On heavier watercolor sheets, the water-mark is hand embossed. Each Arches and Rives paper features its own unique watermark. Many of them incorporate the sign of infinity, a sym-bol of permanence which reflects the long lasting quality of Arches.

Quality that Lasts

The longevity of a work depends largely upon the quality of the paper used. Acids damage papers and cause them to deteriorate. Optical brighteners can have the same prematurely destructive effect. All Arches papers are manufactured in a carefully controlled, completely neutral environment, with naturally whitened pulp, to ensure that the papers produced are acid-free. Calcium carbonate, an alkaline substance, is added to the pulp in manufacturing to raise the pH, and provide a buffer against environmental acidity.free. Calcium carbonate, an alkaline substance, is added to the pulp in manufacturing to raise the pH, and provide a buffer against environmental acidity.

Papermaking at Fabriano began in 1283 when paper production flourished with the use of linen rags for pulp. The remaining examples of paper that exist from this time indicate the advanced state of papermaking at the mills. This period saw the development of three major innovations by Fabriano which are still a part of papermaking today. The hydraulic hammer pile for pulverizing the rags replaced the mortar which had been in use since the birth of paper in China. Gelatin glue sizing appeared as a means to conserve paper, to increase its strength and to render it apt for writing with inks. The most important innovation was the identification of papers using watermarks. The watermark became the means by which it was possible to recognize the papermaker's name, when the paper was produced, and later, to indicate the different qualities of paper produced.

Today, run by the Kohler family, GMUND is highly specialized on luxurious text and cover papers. The small and exclusive papermill is extremely design oriented and puts its focus on continuous product innovation.

Craftsmanship and skill is of utmost importance to the production of fine luxurious paper. Therefore, each of the 100 workers of the company has to be a specialist in his field. At the same time, the machines are taken greatest care of, in order to be able to perform this high standard.

That's why GMUND is still working with the venerable old paper machine installed in 1883. Running at an extremely low speed of 14 to 48 m/min., this equipment produces a quality which can't be reached anymore by today's fast running machines. Since 1978, the old paper machine is supported by a second machine to be able to meet the special requirements of the modern paper market.

Gruppo Cordenons is managed by the Gilberti family, which has been involved in the production of fine papers for four generations. Gruppo Cordenons comprises of two companies that boast of long tradition. These are Cordenons and Scurelle Factories mills located near Pordenone and Trent.

Alongside the most advanced technology and with a  presence on the most important markets in the world, the Group still retains its vocation for the production of high quality paper, with the elegance and fascination of handmade paper. A chemistry that the creators of Gruppo Cordenons have been able to bring about by combining the past and the future, and knowledge, and the craftsmen and technological skills.

James Cropper is a papermaker of distinction.  Knowledge, skill and craftsmanship, handed down through generations, works hand in hand with sophisticated papermaking technology to enable the creation of truly exceptional papers. 

The versatility and simple tactile appeal of uncoated paper makes it the perfect canvas for wide variety of applications.  Whether specified for corporate literature; bespoke marketing material; high quality stationery, coverings for hardback books; uniquely engineered packaging; framing, display and archive storage; or for a specialised industrial use – the possibilities for this natural medium are boundless. 

As Europe's most modern coloured and specialist paper mill, James Cropper can supply papers in custom colours, weights or specifications, to any global destination, for a minimum manufacturing order.  The mill also offers a wide selection of striking textural and special decorative effects.

The idyllic setting of the English Lake District has been the backdrop for James Cropper's paper and board production since 1845.  The mill was founded by the great, great, grandfather of the current chairman, James Cropper.

Unfortunately, because of the modernization and industrialization of Japan, the number of handmade papermakers is rapidly diminishing. Few Japanese are willing to lead the arduous life of the papermaker and choose instead a more profitable career. Many of the papermakers that remain, including those named as "National Living Treasures" by the Japanese government are well into their 80's and their arts are threatened with extinction.

Luckily, the Japanese have not ended their obsession with paper nor lowered their demand for it. Machinemade grades of kozo, gampi, sulphite or combinations of these are replacing some of the handmade varieties, using modern technology to insure the quality and permanence of the sheets. Only the finest materials continue to be used and much of the preparation is still being carried out by hand. Machinemade papers have made sheets more affordable and more widely available. In addition to papers for printing, conservation and painting, many decorative grades have also been made available, such as the extensive line of Echizen Washi. Hopefully, as the use of Japanese papers increases in the ever growing market, the interest in all forms of their papermaking skills will be rekindled, and some of the world's finest papers will be available for generations to come.

The Magnani paper mills date their origins back to the XV century, when the first settlers developed the mill along the banks of the Pescia river - famous for it's clear waters, an essential requirement for the production of paper.

By the 18th century, the Magnani mill had already started to export their papers all over the world. Among their customers were most of Europe's reigning families as well as the state mints of many countries that appreciated the quality of the security papers produced at the mill on cylinder machines. Other notable customers have included Napoleon Bonaparte, who choose the mill to produce a special watermarked paper for the announcement of his wedding with Maria Luisa D'Austria. The original mould is still held at the mill. The mill was also a supplier of the Crown family of Italy for some specific papers and very important documents and agreements have been signed on their papers.

Today the mill still produces a very limited production of handmade papers in the ancient mill called "Le Carte". During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was here that many artists such as De Chirico, Guttuso, Annigoni, Maccari, Bueno, Guarnieri, Morandi - and many others - used to have their own paper produced as a sign of distinction.

Magnani has also proudly produced currency paper for many central banks of the world , such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Iran, Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand and last but not least for their own country, Italy.

As always, Magnani can satisfy the most demanding customers in terms of fine art papers and luxury editions.

Legion Paper is proud to bring these fine papers to the United States.

It's the story of hearty pioneers and early industrialists who helped forge what today is America's oldest continuously operating paper mill.

In 1835, the paper making process was mechanized and later in 1870 the mill was completely rebuilt. In 1948, Gilbert Verney purchased the mill from the Pierce family and over the years developed a reputation as being one of America's premier manufacturers of fine printing, technical and specialty papers.

Monadnock has long set the industry standard for the crafting of uncoated natural paper surfaces. Formation, surface, opacity and the print quality resulting from these attributes are unmatched by any other mill.

Legion Paper is proud to be the exclusive distributor of Essex and Legion Art Cover manufactured by Monadnock Paper Mills.

This old and established paper mill dates back to the sixteenth century and produces a very large range - some of the finest quality mouldmade papers in Europe. The Zerkall mill is not only well known for its specialized printing papers which are used by private presses, but also for its unique range of printmaking and artist papers.

Zerkall papers are manufactured in sheets with four deckles on a very special mould machine, which allows a maximum width of 60" and a maximum length of 88" for each deckle edged sheet. Zerkall printing papers, printmaking and artist papers are manufactured in a way that meets the requirements for permanent papers i.e. alkali reserve, resistance to oxidation and pH value. The furnish of Zerkall papers is a percentage of cotton rag (prepared in the historical beater room), cotton linters and high alpha cellulose. The mill is run by the Renker family in its fourth generation.