Even in the age of digital where we produce websites, email newsletters and even brand identities that hardly ever leave the confines of a screen, we still use paper. Lots and lots of paper. Whether it’s brochures, business cards, posters, leaflets, stationary or reports, many of our clients still need us to design materials that are printed.
So, with that in mind it’s pretty cool to see some backstage shots of how the stuff is made by photographer Daniel Bushaway. From Wired:
So far he’s shot seven stops along the lifecycle of paper. His series takes viewers inside a mill and manufacturing plant run by VISY, which produces paper for everything from boxes to food cartons to paperback book covers. He photographed Gunn & Taylor Printers, a mom-and-pop shop that makes everything from pamphlets to books, and the Wrapping Paper Company. Bushaway expanded the project to include the workshops of cabinetmakers and framing companies.
The photos are quiet, and rich in detail. It’s fascinating to see the time and effort spent creating something so ubiquitous. Bushaway wants to explore other links in the paper production chain. He’s trying to get into some tree farms, timber mills, recycling plants, and landfills. The goal is to make people think more about where paper comes from, and where it goes. Australia sends 1.9 million tons of paper and cardboard to landfills each year; that figure is closer to 26 million tons in the US.
