For more than 180 years, British master papermaker James Cropper has transformed fibre into some of the world's most distinctive papers, helping luxury brands, designers and printers bring their most ambitious ideas to life.
This September, visitors to London Packaging Week are invited to discover the story behind those materials through an immersive stand experience celebrating the craftsmanship, creativity and expertise behind every sheet.
The experience begins with the exclusive first public screening of the official trailer for The Last Mill Standing at 1.00pm on Wednesday, 16 September, on Stand H24. Offering a first glimpse inside the UK's last remaining specialist coloured paper mill, the trailer introduces a story of generations of skill, craftsmanship and innovation that continue to shape materials trusted by leading brands around the world. The full documentary will be released later this year.
At a time when British manufacturing is navigating rising costs, global competition and changing market demands, The Last Mill Standing asks what is at stake if specialist knowledge is allowed to disappear. Rather than focusing solely on machinery, it celebrates the people behind the material, revealing the precision, experience and passion required to transform fibre into paper that inspires creativity and brings ambitious ideas to life.
From there, visitors are invited to continue that story throughout the stand.
Inspired by one of London's most recognisable landmarks, The Colours of London invites visitors to capture their own Colour of London by writing it on a specially designed postcard before posting it into the stand's iconic pillar box. The installation celebrates the memories, places and moments that shape our experience of the capital, while reflecting the enduring role of paper in creativity, communication and self-expression.
Alongside the film and the Colours of London installation, visitors will also be among the first to experience the Paper Portal. Designed to spark curiosity and inspire new ideas, it offers a fresh way to engage with paper and is best discovered in person.
Jordan Scott, Head of Marketing at James Cropper, said: “People experience paper every day, yet very rarely do they get to see the extraordinary expertise behind it. We wanted to create more than an exhibition stand. We wanted to create a journey that begins with the people who make the material and ends with the ideas those materials make possible. Whether visitors are discovering The Last Mill Standing, sharing their own Colour of London or exploring the Paper Portal, we hope they leave seeing paper in a completely different way."
Following the documentary premiere, visitors are invited to join the James Cropper team for drinks and to continue the conversation around British manufacturing, material innovation, and the enduring role of paper in design, packaging and branding.
As thousands of packaging professionals gather at London Packaging Week, James Cropper is inviting visitors to discover the people, craftsmanship and creativity behind exceptional paper, and the role they continue to play in inspiring today's most ambitious packaging and design.
To find out more please visit: www.jamescropper.com