56 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2024 - Issue 349 a whole. “It is our hope that the importance and value of the creative industries will be properly understood, and appropriately recognised with meaningful Government investment in creative education.” Design-led Print Having heard about its reputation through a number of design friends, Ward has also worked closely with London-based printer F.E. Burman. Described by Ward as a “quality designled printer”, F.E. Burman works closely supported by G.F Smith. “G.F Smith has been so supportive of my work over the years,” Ward says. “As a creative company, they really understand education and the importance of nurturing the next generation of creatives, supporting educational institutions with paper and outside opportunities. “As my practice has grown, so too have the paper companies I work with, but the quality of G.F Smith’s paper and the support they showed me in my early career will not be forgotten as my practice expands.” Reflecting back on the collaboration, Fletcher describes the ‘Underwater’ installation as “a pivotal moment in G.F Smith’s long-standing commitment to students and young creatives”. “We are incredibly honoured that Nathan has chosen to work with our papers for so many of his exciting projects,” Fletcher continues. “Through nurturing our relationship with graduates like Nathan, we are able to make introductions within our vast network. “Nathan’s work was seen by the incredible Mount St Printers when it was on display at G.F Smith, which led them to commission Nathan to design window displays at their prestigious showroom.” G.F Smith also introduced Ward to The Ned and more recently The Young V&A. Fletcher adds: “Our passion for connecting and championing our clients is one of the most satisfying parts of our jobs.” This May, Ward was invited on a mill visit with G.F Smith to the James Cropper paper mill in the heart of the English Lake District to fully understand the paper-making process. “G.F Smith has been committed to supporting people at all stages of their creative journey – from education to professional practice – since the 1960s,” Fletcher says. “We will continue to do whatever we can to help emerging creatives like Nathan, because we believe creativity is essential both to the UK economy and society as ▲ Antalis showcased Ward's colourful paper parrot on its stand at the VM & Display Show with G.F Smith papers. This enables Ward to continue working with these materials even when clients require specific Pantones for sustainability and quality textural finish. Ward explains that for F.E Burman to print onto Colorplan, for example, the company first adds a Sapphire coating to the paper to allow better ink adhesion. “F.E. Burman supplies me with untrimmed B2 poster prints which they print on using their digital HP Indigo press. These prints are perfect for me as I can easily run them through my cutting digital equipment, minimising any waste. “I’ve recently started working with a couple of other printers that have HP Indigos for no other reason than to explore different print options when I’m on a tight deadline,” Ward adds. Using a Graphtec cutter plotter with print-and-cut technology, Ward can generate barcodes that F.E. Burman can print, which he then cuts back at his studio to create uniquely branded pieces. F.E. Burman has now managed a number of professional print jobs for Ward, including for Santander x Mastercard, Nathan’s ability to ask questions and enquire about alternatives which he may be unaware of that we can guide him through makes him the kind of creative we love to work with FOCUS ON: NATHAN WARD, PAPER ARTIST
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