If you had to distill the essence of your company into artwork that could fit on a single dollar bill, what would it look like? More importantly, what paper and printing techniques would you use? This was the challenge Legion Paper set 32 designers and exhibitors at this year’s National Stationery Show, with the goal of using the resulting “cash” to drive traffic to the companies’ booths. The result is a fascinating mix of printing methods, design styles and papers that not only gives you a real feel for the people who created them, but also fits nicely into a wallet no paper lover should be without.
The range of printing and finishing techniques used was just as dizzying – everything from laser die cutting, holographic foil and blind embossing to foil stamping and letterpress. As if that wasn’t enough, the dollars varied in design from humorous (Porkchopstick Studios’ “Squealy Bucks”) to the political (Big Wheel Press’ $5 note with Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s portrait above the slogan “Persist”).
This cash may not be legal tender for all goods and services, but as a reminder of how creative our industry can be, and the sheer range of papers available to us, it’s right on the money.
