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We have now returned to the origins of manga. Manga illustration techniques evolved with the use of the flatbed letterpress for printing. The Press series is a collection of actual size monochrome manga illustrations printed on 100% Gmund Cotton paper with a flatbed letterpress.
With the support of the Kyodo Printing Group, who handle the rotary letterpress printing for Weekly Shonen Jump, we were able to locate a large letterpress flatbed printer still in active operation at Tsutatomo Printing Co., Ltd. in Nagano Prefecture. We use here a letterpress flatbed printer made in the 1960s by Heidelberg Druckmaschinen in Germany. We experimented with the printing process by loaded this machine with different types of paper not normally utilized in commercial publishing.
We looked at color, texture, shelf life, and compatibility with letterpress printing process. After the print tests were verified by skilled technicians, we chose on Gmund Cotton Max White paper to use for this series.
Movie copyright by Gmund Paper
In order to best preserve the illustrations for the long term, we chose 100% cotton paper that is used to print photographs and prints. The most common types of paper are often made from pulp, but the chemicals used in the papermaking process facilitates deterioration and discoloration over time. Cotton paper has been attracting attention recently not only for its temporal tenacity, but also because it has a small environmental footprint.
Gmund Cotton Max White is one style of 100% cotton paper made by Gmund.
photograph copyright by Gmund Paper
Gmund was founded in 1829 on the shores of Lake Tegernsee in Bavaria, Germany. They still use a paper machine that is around 200 years old, the oldest in Europe in operation today. While they value tradition, the company is endeavoring to generate more of its own electrical power, cut down on water use, and reduce its overall environmental footprint. In addition to producing high-quality paper, Gmund has a venerable reputation with many high-end brands using the company's paper for packaging and communications.
The name of the paper, Gmund Cotton Max White, is a tribute to King Maximilian I of Bavaria (1756-1825). It is the whitest of the multiple varieties of 100% cotton Gmund paper. The surface is smooth and soft, enabling the unique texture of the engraved printing surface to beautifully appear when printed on the surface with the high pressure of the flatbed letterpress.
Made of raw cotton, this paper does not go through the normal chlorine bleaching process, greatly helping to mitigate its environmental impact. For this reason, the black cotton seeds have not been completely removed; however, the small dark spots on the paper are part of the natural process of production and unique.
In April 2021, Takeo, Gmund's Japanese distributor, introduced us to Maximilian Huber, Gmund's Senior Marketing and Development Manager. During an online meeting while examining samples of The Press that we had sent to him from Japan, he said:
photograph copyright by Gmund Paper
"It is my understanding that manga are originally meant to be 'consumed' on a weekly basis. But this manga art, created from the best that manga has to offer, has a more long-term and essential element. It also suggests a new relationship with manga.
For example, let's say someone hangs a work of manga art on the wall. The work is now recognized as art. It has surpassed the realm of manga simply meant to be 'consumed.' The story and very essence of the manga are more strongly communicated to the viewer, and the viewer feels more connected to the work.
It was a fantastic idea to use our paper as a material rather than package.
You have created something unprecedented and unique. I would like to express my high regard for your work."
