A match made in paper: James Cropper and Nathan Ward

Packaging Solutions

Ahead of an exclusive interactive workshop at London Packaging Week, artist Nathan Ward and James Cropper’s marketing communications manager Jordan Scott discuss the timeless power of paper and craftsmanship in the age of AI and digital automation.

Even after thousands of years of use, we are still only scratching the surface of what is possible with paper. Thanks to the drive and creativity of leading industry innovators, this seemingly simple material is continuing to delight and captivate consumers and businesses alike.

This is proven by the partnership between legendary specialty paper manufacturer James Cropper and renowned artist Nathan Ward.

Nathan is one of the country’s leading paper artists, with an extensive portfolio of intricately designed, largely handmade paper illustrations, animations, large scale sets, window displays, and installations.

Having previously collaborated on the Message in a Wrap project – a stunning moulded fibre diorama – Nathan and James Cropper are reuniting to prove the unlimited potential of paper once again, exclusively for London Packaging Week. On 16 October at the Excel centre, London, Nathan will deliver an interactive workshop alongside Jordan Scott, Marketing communications manager at James Cropper, titled Paper Possibilities: Redefining luxury by craft.

Ahead of the session, in which attendees will get to go hands on as they explore the creative possibilities of luxury papercraft, the pair spoke on all things paper, packaging, and a productive partnership.

‘There is something very human about it,’ said Nathan. ‘Especially post Covid, and in the age of digital, the value of real physical objects you can reach out and touch is more important than ever. It is something we all understand, which is why it is so exciting.’

Jordan agreed saying: ‘The work that paper artists are doing is profound because a lot of people will find the idea that you can mould a flat sheet of paper into a 3D model of almost anything quite inspiring. You go to school and get told there are certain jobs at the end of it, but I think the more people like Nathan get to work with some of the amazing brands he has got to work with, the more it inspires others to go their own way and do what they love.

‘I can almost guarantee Nathan never set out to be a paper artist. But he fell in love with the material. He knows the ins and outs of it. He has been very inquisitive in that. And he knows how to adapt it and mould it to best suit his sense of creativity and the brands he works with.’

For a papercraft savant like Nathan, this meant the partnership with James Cropper made all the sense in the world. ‘Part of the story for me is building that understanding of where things come from,’ he said. ‘It is part of understanding how something works, so you can do more with it. With James Cropper paper, it is made in the UK, it is from the Lake District, and that really resonates with me and the clients I am working with. They want to see the full story of that material journey coming through.’

Like every industry, paper has had its ups and downs throughout the decades. The key for companies like James Cropper is to take action to minimise the downs and maximise the ups. ‘A few years ago, we were seeing a dip that the industry wasn’t really understanding because the paper world can be very prescriptive,’ explained Jordan. ‘It wasn’t seen as the responsibility of the paper manufacturer to showcase what the material is capable of. I think there has been a big shift in that mindset. Today, everything is about how far we can push it.’

There are few more powerful demonstrations of this than the Message in a Wrap project. This two year project celebrated the moulded fibre wrap James Cropper produced in collaboration with Bruichladdich whisky. In it, Nathan and James Cropper worked together to craft a stunning 3D diorama depicting the papermaker’s Burneside mill alongside the picturesque Bruichladdich distillery, capturing the scene in paper and moulded fibre.

‘It is almost a defiant statement in the digital era,’ added Jordan. ‘Papers are a beautiful representation of something tactile. That is what people connect to.’

Nathan expands on this idea of connection, highlighting the universality of paper. ‘It is familiar,’ he explained. ‘We have all tried making a paper aeroplane or something. And when you see that same basic concept elevated, people think ‘wow’. But it is still accessible.

‘It is quite easy and inexpensive to get hold of paper in the UK, so anyone can play and experiment with it. And that is a good testing ground for later in life, at university or art school. You can push off from it into all kinds of areas of creativity.’

The obvious question is, where does Nathan see the industry ‘pushing off’ from today? And, perhaps more importantly, where will it go next? ‘For me, it is the marriage of technology and paper,’ he said. ‘I don’t think the tactile quality is necessarily a rejection of digital technology. That technology is how you innovate and push paper into new places.

‘With the machinery I use, it involves using 3D rendering software to model out shapes. That is opened so many doors for me, because when I first started, I was doing everything with a protractor and a ruler! So now, to be able to get 3D concepts signed off before I go to make something is fantastic.

‘I think people are always looking for something different. I have been reading a really good book recently called Craftland, which talks about a renaissance in crafts and how we can preserve crafts in the UK. Culturally I think that appetite for craft is growing.’

Jordan adds that this commitment to craftsmanship is what continues to drive James Cropper, 180 years after it was founded. ‘I think everyone prefers a gift with sentiment behind it, that someone has put a lot of time and effort into, versus something bought off the shelf. And I think a lot of the people that will choose to continue to do business with James Cropper will do so because they know that every sheet of paper is made by really good people that are pouring their hearts and souls into producing it.’

The partnership itself is testament to the value of trade shows like London Packaging Week, explains Jordan. ‘I had never met Nathan before the Independent Paper Show. He stood and waited a good half an hour for me to finish talking to people because he said he loves all things paper, but he specifically loved one of our James Cropper products. When you reach out and ask questions, and see what value you can add at a show, you can bring your ideas to life. Regardless of how many ‘nos’ you might get, reaching out to the right person can become a ‘yes’, and what you can create as a result of that can be totally unique.’

Nathan hopes the workshop, held at 11:30 am on the Luxury stage at London Packaging Week, results in a similar creative awakening for each participant.

‘I think in essence it is going to demonstrate how paper can be fun and playful and everything else. We're going to have a good time,’ he concluded. ‘I suspect a lot of other sessions will perhaps have a more corporate tone and be quite ‘keynote speech-y’ and things, but I think this will hopefully be quite fun and a nice way to break up the day where people can come and engage with paper, do something tactile, get hands-on and work with the material.’

And, if that wasn’t enough, Jordan promises participants in the session will leave with more than just a smile and a happy memory. ‘If crafting is your thing, if creativity is your thing, the session will be a really nice way to break up the day. It will be fun and you will get to come away having learnt something and you will get to keep something.’

In a world that is increasingly digital, the promise of being able to work on your own handcrafted keepsake speaks to the enduring magic of paper, and its ability to connect us through touch, craft, and creativity. Don’t miss the chance to see that magic come to life. Join Paper Possibilities: Redefining luxury by craft at 11:30 am on the Luxury stage, London Packaging Week, 16 October – and experience the limitless potential of paper for yourself.

Register for a free visitor's pass here.