As part of our 30th birthday celebrations, we’re sharing a peek behind the scenes and introducing some of the people who help bring our products to life. Check out the Paperblanks30 tag for more special anniversary content!
Tell Us a Bit About Yourself
First Name: Marlene
When you joined the Paperblanks team: I have had the privilege of working with the founder of Paperblanks since 1986 as full-time, part-time and freelance, settling into full-time with the Paperblanks brand in 2006.
Role at Paperblanks: In the past 36 years my roles have evolved from proofreader, to typographer, to cover design, to managing the production end of the Graphics Department.
Passions: Books, music, religion
Journals you’re currently using:
- Golden Trefoil Ultra
- Shiraz Ultra
- Playful Creations Nodding Blooms Micro
- Daphnis & Chloe Chloe Ultra
What is the first Paperblanks product or design you remember working on?
Lindau Gospels and coming up with “Jade” for the Old Leather covers.
What is your favourite Paperblanks cover art or product of all time, and why?
Too many to count. Almost every cover we produce becomes an extension of us as we work so closely with the artwork and try to imagine what the artist wanted to convey through it. By the time any one of us in Graphics is finished with a cover it has become part of us and we have become part of it.
What makes you want to be a part of the Paperblanks team and help bring our products to the world?
I love the fact that we have taken covers from old archives all over the world and dusted off the cobwebs to bring them back to life. Technology is now such that these covers can be duplicated and brought to people everywhere rather than a single book sitting in a museum that only some can view and none can touch.
What is one thing people might not know about Paperblanks the company?
Paperblanks was like a child that was brought into this world with all the hopes and dreams we wish for any of our children – to flourish, grow and have a positive impact on our world.
How have things changed over the past 30 years at Paperblanks, and where do you hope to see Paperblanks go over the next 30 years?
People, times, technology have all changed and Paperblanks has changed with them. They have grown and evolved but without losing the goal of bringing beautiful art to us while maintaining a high quality product. I hope that the principles on which Paperblanks was built continue and blossom even more as this is what, I believe, sets us apart from all our competitors.
Thanks for sharing and being a part of the Paperblanks family, Marlene!
