Early this week I had a project where I wanted to get some quality paper. Of course I remember from our class visit there was a magical room in a hidden commercial building by the old Texas Stadium.
What is Clampitt?
From their website:
Founded in 1941, Clampitt Paper Company is a locally owned independent paper distributor with national reach. Through our sixty-plus years of existence, we have earned a reputation for innovation, service and environmental commitment.
Known throughout the industry as “The Paper People,” our associates pride themselves on delivering expertise and a quality product… quickly and affordably. Clampitt Paper operates six major paper warehouses and 12 FasClampitt Paper Stores that are dedicated to getting you the paper you need, when you need it.
In other words they are the metroplexes prime source for everything paper. They primarily deliver to all the print shops and direct offices. If you need more common paper they have smaller satellite stores called FAS-Clampitt that mostly carry 8.5″ x 11″ stock for general offices but they stock there is pretty awesome, just not in all the sizes you need. There is 12 stores around Texas, the two closest to Arlington are off 30 by Fort Worth, and up by the regular location.
Whats There.
If there’s a paper mill, they are at Clampitt. If there is some weird specialty paper its there too. Basically if its made to have ink on it its most likely there.
They also have the Creative Center which is FULL of sample books and real world samples printed that are free to take. I have a shelf full of paper sources that when I think about a project are my first grab. Then I go to Clampitt. They also have a Paper School to teach designers and anyone interested in the odd world of paper.(HINT! They will be here Thursday REGISTER UP TOP!!)
My Recent Venture
Last week I started working on a project that I had used CMYK as a central theme. I had sectioned the book off into the three main colors and the cover was to be solid black. You cannot buy reliable black paper anywhere, especially any that has more weight then copy paper. It needed to be black cored, heavy weight, and able to run through a laser printer. I went to the sample room in the creative center, talked with the folks there about my project and what I wanted. They pulled different sample sheets and we talked for 10 minutes about why one would be better than the other. I took my 4 samples, and headed over to FAS-Clampitt to place my order.
I needed 3 or 4 12 x 18 sheets for my cover, in the event I messed them up. With most papers at Clampitt they only carry the pallet sized sheets which is something like 40″ x 36″ and charge $19.00 to cut.. I have a exacto blade and a ruler so I just asked for them whole. I asked how many I had to order and they said “you can just have one or you can have 340, thats all we got.” At $6 a sheet they were a bit expensive(I guess, I mean I have enough to do 5 times what I need) But they hooked me up and sent me back over to the warehouse.
Over there I had the revelation that as an artist I spend a large part of my time in industrial factories or supply houses doing crazy things with stuff no one thinks about. I mean of course at Clampitt its just paper. But is it for my office copier or am I making packaging for the next iPhone. I also realized that they don’t care, they just need your PO and your signature. The guys in the warehouse brought me my paper on a forklift, which I thought was funny. But they also gave my a few extra sheets(I guess everyone had the idea that I might mess up) and a paper from the manufacturer that talks about the best ways to use the paper. Oddly enough the #140 paper wouldnt roll up very well and no one had a rubber band so I walked my sheets out like plywood.
My project turned out great and every time I have some wild idea I know that 15 minutes from here is one of the best resources a designer can have. Because lets all face it, from the ground up all projects start at the paper its printed on. The touch, the feel, the image, all results of the stock our designs rely on. Paper choice is an important one, and even with all my sample books and extra stock knowing there is a place where they know more then people should know about paper is awesome.
So Clampitt, You have a customer for life, now only if I can get you to mail UPS…
Clampitt Paper
Phone: (214)638-3300
Great article! Clampitt sure is a magical place… have you been to the Ft. Worth location?
I have been to the Ft. Worth location– They don’t have the same setup, but the people are really nice, and they will give you samples! It is just a little more awkward.
WHY DO I LOVE CLAMPITT???
BECAUSE THEY ARE HOSTING PAPER SCHOOL TONIGHT.
Duhhh.
As a friend recently commented on my love of paper…”you should marry paper.” lol. Love, love, love Clampitts. They are really friendly at both locations but I must say the one in Dallas has a bigger sample room.