Neenah Paper

There are moments when the stars align, and art and technology combine to create something memorable. This is one such moment.

On May 7, an exhibit titled “I Photograph Rock Stars” sponsored by HP and Neenah Paper opened at the A&I Gallery in Los Angeles. The photography is the work of Greg Watermann, currently one of the top music photographers in the world. Over the years, his unlimited access at concerts has routinely involved him standing on-stage with some of the biggest names in rock music.

This, combined with Watermann’s “in the trenches” style, gives photography and music fans alike the perspective of really being there, and has earned him the rights to photograph such bands as System Of A Down, Linkin Park, Coldplay and Mudvayne. The exhibit takes a walk through the timeline of Watermann’s career, ranging from early portraits of Julia Roberts to more recent portraits of Ozzy Osbourne.

Some of the photographs in the exhibit were reproduced in a 5” x 5” commemorative book, which is being sold to raise money for Nrani, a nonprofit organization that serves families coping with a child’s disability.

The book was printed by A&I Photographic & Digital Services in Los Angeles on an HP Indigo press. Because Neenah Digital Paper is certified for HP Indigo, it provided the perfect surface on which to reproduce the dramatic imagery in both color and black and white.

A&I chose CLASSIC CREST Digital 100 lb. Text and CORONADO SST Digital 130 lb. Cover for the 62-page soft cover perfect bound book. Greg Watermann, the photographer, was thrilled with the paper choice after seeing a trial, and impressed by the smooth rich feel of the CLASSIC CREST Paper.

The book is a stunning example of how Neenah has positioned its digital papers as not just another digital finish, but as a premium solution that when combined with state-of-the-art technology creates a more tactile, high-level experience for the reader. And when color reproduction is critical, paper plays a key role. Thanks to Neenah’s proprietary digital finish, the CLASSIC CREST Digital Paper in Solar White delivered the high performance necessary to maintain contrast and brilliance in the images.

“A&I did an amazing job on this project. The images reproduced in the book capture the same excitement as the images in the exhibit,” says Scott Ulrich, district sales manager at Neenah Paper. “Showing this book as an example of what Neenah Digital can do makes our job easier. The paper practically sells itself.”

Digital printing is about workflow, variable data and print on demand. It’s also a complement to conventional offset printing for hybrid projects. But now, with all the improvements in technology, equipment and substrates, digital printing is also a viable alternative for high-end projects produced in smaller quantities. Because of this, the need for a truly premium uncoated digital paper has grown.

John Barry, president of Jay Kay Press, is quick to agree. As Dallas’ leading mid-size commercial printer, Jay Kay Press specializes in multi-color offset and digital printing, providing high quality, quick turn times and value-added service to its customers. Barry has seen how digital printing has changed the way that sales materials and direct mail campaigns are designed and produced. The bar has been raised. Premium paper alone might not make the message more relevant, or the offer more appealing. But what it can do is attract the recipient’s attention and retain it for a moment longer. Creating a promotion or mailer that will stand out from the clutter is crucial.

“With direct mail you have about one and a half seconds to make an impression. A premium uncoated paper gets noticed, whether it’s a textured or smooth finish. Neenah’s digital finish papers are more substantial, they just feel better,” Barry explains. “Maybe it costs more than a commodity digital sheet, but the revenue opportunity generated from making a great impression far outweighs the marginal cost of moving up in paper quality.”

Whether it’s a direct mail campaign with a well thought out message, or a high-end book to commemorate an event or chronicle a career, premium paper paired with today’s digital printing technology adds tactility, substance and sometimes even a certain cachet.

Neenah Paper’s Universal Digital Finish is HP Indigo certified and works on all digital presses. Four brands are available with this finish: CLASSIC CREST Digital, CLASSIC Linen Digital, ENVIRONMENT Digital and CORONADO SST Digital Papers. By offering options in a smooth or textured finish, as well as recycled and sustainable papers, Neenah Paper provides the opportunity to add impact to any message. You just need to bring the creative genius.

To view the photographs from the exhibit or to purchase a copy of I Photograph Rock Stars, visit www.aandi.com/gallery. Part of the proceeds from sales will benefit Nrani.

Neenah Paper will randomly select five PaperSpecs readers to receive a FREE copy of this fine art exhibit book. Simply send an e-mail before 8:00 p.m. Eastern today 5-20-09 to finepaper@neenahpaper.com.