Grycksbo Paper’s hand paper mill – which dates back to 1740 – has resumed manufacturing of handmade paper through cooperation between papermaker Karl-Erik Hedberg, bookbinder Monica Langwe and Grycksbo Paper.
From its foundation until 1960, handmade paper was manufactured in the Grycksbo mill. Manufacturing was resumed for a few years in connection with the 700th anniversary of Stora Kopparberg AB, in 1988. Now, with the cooperation among Karl-Erik Hedberg, Monica Langwe and Grycksbo Paper, the hand paper mill has started up again. Handmade paper sheets, with and without watermarks, as well as specially bound gift books (guest books and wedding books, for example) are offered.
“Our first order was an exclusive diploma paper with watermarks,” says Karl-Erik Hedberg, who has also manufactured paper for the Nobel Museum and for the Nobel Prize diplomas. “In addition to our manufacturing, we have recently conducted training in handmade paper and watermark production for the only existing Nordic bookbinder education.”
According to Monica Langwe, “We can offer existing and unique products to calligraphers, bookbinders, advertising agencies and paper shops with an exclusive paper assortment as well as exciting bindings. People are able to save money on a variety of low-priced goods, leaving with savings for special items like handmade paper products. Imagine the feeling when getting a handmade envelope with a handmade paper in the mail.”
“Manufacturing of handmade paper is a tradition worth keeping,” says Mikael Frölander, MD Grycksbo Paper. “It is in this tradition that our today’s G-Print has its original roots and it is an important part of the modern Grycksbo Paper history and competence. Apart from the production of handmade paper, courses are arranged and the hand paper mill has become an appreciated and instructive activity in our customer visit programme.”
For further information, please contact:
Jenny Beckman, Marketing Co-Ordinator Grycksbo Paper.
Tel: +46 23 681 28, mobile: +46 70 681 01 34
E-mail: jenny.beckman@grycksbopaper.com
Monica Langwe, bookbinder Grycksbo handmade paper mill.
Tel: +46 250 222 16, mobile: +46 70 210 57 63
E-mail: monica@langwe.se
www.langwe.se
Captions:
Hand paper mill 1: Papermaker Karl-Erik Hedberg and bookbinder and artist Monica Langwe have re-opened Grycksbo hand paper mill in co-operation with Grycksbo Paper. Photo: Willy Åsen.
Hand paper mill 2: Karl-Erik Hedberg and Monica Langwe show a mould for making handmade paper with a watermark. Photo: Willy Åsen.
Hand paper mill 3: Handmade paper from Grycksbo can be used in exclusive books for special occasions. Photo: Anders Skogs.
Grycksbo Paper, situated in Sweden, is the producer of G-Print - a unique coated woodfree paper. The company’s customers include paper merchants, printers, publishers and converters. Approximately 84 % of the production is exported, mainly in Europe. G-Print is a coated paper with a unique surface that provides excellent printability and is well-known for its high bulk and superior runnability. Main end-use areas are direct mail, illustrated books, manuals, catalogues, maps, posters, magazines and packagings. G-Print is available in sheets and reels in grammages from 70 to 250g/m². The production capacity is approximately 260,000 tonnes per annum of coated paper. The company’s turnover is 1.7 billion SEK and it employs about 500 people.
Monica Langwe works as an artist and bookbinder producing innovative and tailor-made solutions for companies, institutions and private customers. Besides purely functional products such as pads, diaries, journals, book covers, albums and boxes, small editions of printed material in suitable techniques are bound as well as entire collections. Monica Langwe produces her own exhibitions as well as participating in other exhibitions and contests. One example of a prestigious work is the binding of a numbered and signed series of Nobel Prize Winners in literature, which is displayed annually at the Nobel Museum in Stockholm. Her own publishing company, Langwe Form, publishes books on bookbinding and paper.