UK paper manufacturer James Cropper is set to launch a new brand, to be revealed in a few weeks at a launch event, that brings its full range of over 50 coloured papers directly to customers for the first time. The company, which has produced coloured paper at its Burneside mill in Cumbria for more than 150 years, aims to give designers, brands, and converters direct access to a portfolio built on decades of fibre-dyeing expertise.
While many paper manufacturers have scaled back colour offerings or shifted production overseas, James Cropper is maintaining its UK-based operations. The coloured paper range is manufactured entirely at the company’s Lake District site.
Paul Barber, managing director of paper and packaging at James Cropper, said the launch reflects the company’s long-term investment in colour science and paper craft. “We were the first to produce coloured paper, and this portfolio builds on that heritage with formulations refined over 50 years,” he said.
The new offering includes many colours that have been in continuous production for decades, alongside new bespoke shades created in collaboration with clients. All products are made using James Cropper’s dyed-in-the-fibre process, which ensures colour runs through the entire sheet, resulting in greater depth and durability than surface-printed alternatives.
The company is positioning the launch as part of a broader strategy to reinforce its role in the premium paper market. Clients will be able to order directly from James Cropper or through selected merchant partners.
The company is also inviting customers to visit its 180-year-old mill to learn more about the paper-making process, from colour development to final production.
