Trend watch: Spotlight on texture – 3 reasons to use it on your next print project

Coastal designs created by Seagrass Designs – printed on our Gesso 250gsm textured paper

We stopped by the Spotlight on Stationery panel discussion at Top Drawer S/S 18 to see what Laura Jane Boast of LJB Studio, Lucy Edmunds of Quill, Audrey Woollen of Urbanic and Neal Whittington of Present and Correct, think is heading our way for Greeting Cards and Stationery in 2018…

We already revealed their first insight for 2018 – Foiling (read all about that here), but what’s next?!

Take a little read through and get inspired for a brand new year…

Let’s talk about texture…

In 2018 the Greeting Card and Stationery sector looks set to get a serious injection of touchable, tactile papers. Moving beyond the recycled, modern uncoated and rustic Kraft, textured papers signify an elegance that simply isn’t conveyed when you choose a standard stock or board.

So, why print on textured stock?

Add depth to your designs

From the simplest typographic designs to the most intricate, adding a subtle texture can make all the difference. Not only will you be adding a touchable quality to your print, the raised and tactile surface of textured papers gives your designs extra depth, creating interesting prints that everyone will want to take a closer look at.

Ok so it’s not Christmas anymore, but here’s Seagrass Designs showing off a little extra depth with their Bears in The Woods designs, printed on Gesso 250gsm textured paper. The clean lines and textured stock creates standout artwork thats begging to be picked up, touched and more importantly pinned to the fridge or noticeboard!

Get the vintage appeal

Vintage designs love textured paper. Textured paper harks back to an era of old world luxury, evoking memories of personalised hand penned letters and carefully crafted designs, perfect for those extra special sentiments, or bringing that vintage handmade feel to clean and simple designs too.

Add authenticity

Watercolour, illustrative and calligraphic designs love textured paper. It removes the ‘mass made’ feel that shop bought Greeting Cards and stationery can convey and evokes feelings of handmade craft. If you’re thinking about textured Business Stationery, it’s a subtle reminder that every tiny detail has been thought about – right down to the paper you print on!

The paper you print on can really uplift and transcend your design, so have a think about the ways in which you employ this trend. Consider making the paper the star of the show with interesting textures. If you’re not sure where to start, our Tintoretto, Fresco Gesso, Nettuno and Laid are all super popular choices. Just remember that the texture you choose will impact the way your print looks as a finished piece. Textured papers are uncoated, so your colours will appear flatter and slightly muted.

Are you using textured paper in your designs? Let us know, and don’t forget to show off your creations and tag us in on social while you’re at it too!
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All the artwork featured in this blog was provided by Seagrass Designs. Seagrass Designs was launched in 2013 and they create cards, prints, calendars and tea towels with beautiful illustrations.

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