As one of the country’s oldest, family-owned paper companies, French Paper Company wanted to do something special to mark their 150th anniversary. Looking to their past for inspiration, they started curating past printed and promotional materials. What emerged was a collection of paper ephemera that spanned thirty years. The collection documents not only the story of French Paper, but also the special relationship the company has with the graphic design community.
In the true, independent spirit of French Paper and they decided to bring the collection back to the people that made it all possible and launched the Road to 150 Tour.
City by city, the Road to 150 Tour is bringing new meaning to the term work and turn. Traveling in an American-made mini-van wrapped covered in a custom designed vehicle wrap by CSA Design, Brian French is on the ultimate road trip. The centerpiece of the vehicle wrap has to be the design on the hood of the mini-van, inspired by the iconic Pontiac Firebird. And as part of the traveling exhibition, CSA Design created a special, limited edition Road to 150 poster and logo pack.
Starting out in Grand Rapids in March, The Road to 150 Tour is still on the road. Making stops earlier this year at our Columbus and Detroit Paper Shows, with customers flocking to take selfies in front of the van. The exhibit features print promotions straight from the FPC archives, a few of which can be seen around the Millcraft offices.
The exhibit depicts the history of French Paper, beginning with their start in Niles, Michigan, 150 years ago (and where they still operate and manufacture paper), and including the famed relationship with Charles S. Anderson and Jerry French, to the sixth generation of French Paper stewards, siblings Brian and Kim French. In an industry known for corporate acquisitions and shut downs, French Paper is one of the last independent mills in America. The company attributes its success to its focus on quality, consistency and love for the design community. As an independent merchant, those are values we honor and respect.
Millcraft has been a proud partner of French Paper for decades, and remains committed to bringing the French Paper portfolio of papers to the print and design communities we serve. We have thousands of papers in stock in our warehouses, including French Paper: Construction, Dur-O-Tone, Kraft-Tone, Muscletone, Parchtone, Pop-Tone and Speckletone. Just ask to request a copy of our Writing, Text & Cover Stocklist and see all the French Paper items available same/next day.
