By Dominique Falla

Last Thursday we were treated to a presentation by Chiara Medioli from Fabriano Papers. Fabriano had kindly agreed to sponsor my “Postcards from Rome Project” and sent me enough watercolor paper to make all 50 cards. But I had no idea they also had a variety of specialty stocks for graphic designers, as well as artists. In fact, they produce over 3000 different kinds of paper!

Fabriano is the oldest paper manufacturer in Europe, founded in 1264. I was also fascinated to learn that Fabriano is the first company to include a mechanical watermark in paper, something all watercolor papers have since adopted.

Chiara took us step-by-step through the differences of short- and long-grain papers, which is important to consider when folding your paper multiple times. Short-grain papers made from Eucalyptus and Poplar, for example, will tear when folded many times, whereas long-grain papers made from Pine and Conifers, will be able to handles the stresses better. Hand made paper doesn’t have much grain because the paper pulp is allowed to settle, rather than conforming to a direction through a high-speed machine.

She also used many swatch books and printed samples to demonstrate the flexibility of papers in the design process and to inspire us with what is possible.

I am hoping to take a trip to the Fabriano Boutique, on the Via del Babuino sometime soon.