One only has to pick up the new ESSE swatchbook from Neenah Paper to know that this paper is something special. The pearlized finish of the textured paper on the outside is but a hint of what’s inside.

While the gradeline itself has not undergone any changes, its reintroduction under the Neenah name serves as a reminder to take another look at this paper collection that was created in 1990 by designers, for designers.

ESSE is Latin for “to be.” Neenah calls it A Paper with Presence. Its tactile properties and extraordinary color palette simply command attention. The texture is a watermarked grid of delicately patterned squares, so unique it’s even patented. The squares increase in scale from writing to text to cover weight, so the heavier the paper, the more pronounced the pattern. And if a textured paper is not the right choice for the project, complementary smooth finish papers are available.

The color palette was updated in 2005 by world-renowned colorist Beatrice Santiccioli and is every bit as fresh now as it was then. It’s not only stunning, but also remarkably pragmatic. Ms. Santiccioli, a graduate of The Art Institute of Florence and the Polytechnic School of Design in Milan, has worked with many of the world’s most influential brands including Swatch, Nike and Apple. The colors she put together for ESSE Papers are derived from her own creative journey and life experiences in Italy. 

At the foundation of the collection are four color families: black, green, brown and blue. Ranging in tonal values from dark to light, each group boasts a complement of coordinating pearlized colors. A fifth group of bold accent colors completes the selection by adding a splash of modernity.

As the brand manager of ESSE Papers, Kathy Kemps worked on the color palette with the design team as well as Beatrice.

“When we updated in 2005, it didn’t take long for the excitement of the vibrant new color palette to take hold in the market. Designers and printers alike loved the new colors, especially the pearlized offerings. And they still do. The beautiful combinations possible amid the families of colors makes specifying ESSE effortless.”

Ciao Bella!
The pearlized colors, available in smooth and textured finishes, are both timeless and timely. They can add quiet, sophisticated elegance or make a bold, stylish statement.  And while they may look like “specialty” papers, superior performance on press allows for a variety of applications. The possibilities are endless: stellar packaging, memorable business cards, attention-getting direct mail. The combination of the patented grid pattern and the pearlized surface in eight soft colors creates one of the most unique textured offerings in the market.

ESSE, however, is more than just a beautiful face. It’s a responsible paper spec. The entire collection is Green Seal Certified, which means that it contains a minimum of 30 percent postconsumer fiber. No metals or foils are employed in the manufacture of the pearlized surfaces, meaning that all ESSE Papers are 100 percent recyclable.

La Dolce Vita
An homage to both Beatrice and the etymology of the brand name, the new swatchbook uses all things Italian to showcase the printability of the paper. Think espresso, cypress, and, of course, the ever popular and very sexy Vespa. The samples inside demonstrate embossing, foil stamping, and simple 1-color printing as well as 4-color process.

But the swatchbook, stylish though it may be, is very user-friendly. The four different color families are clearly defined, and shown in a variety of weights and finishes. The large swatches enable the user to get a feel for the colors and texture. 

Anne Peterson of Design Guys, Minneapolis, designed the new swatchbook. She explains, “We isolated and reorganized the five palettes that Beatrice Santiccioli created for ESSE, and by separating them with very little space they came alive in a way that they did not before. Without any color additions or changes to the gradeline, the swatchbook suddenly appeared fresh. Thematically, the individual palettes made sense.”

Luxurious finishes and lustrous pearlized papers available in eight weights and 20 gorgeous colors. It’s a world of choice at your fingertips. But whatever the language, ESSE is the perfect expression of paper.

To request a copy of the ESSE Papers swatchbook, please click here.

For more information about this and other gradelines from Neenah Paper, call 1-800-994-5993 or e-mail samples@neenahpaper.com.

3/26/08