Mohawk Blog

Materials Matter: Made with Merino Wool

Words

Casey Fisk

Photography

Tadd Myers

March 01, 2019

Given the Options, you'll never look at your winter socks the same way again.

Tadd Myers is a storyteller. His medium isn't words, it's images. In a single frame or using a series of images, his work manages to weave a narrative that can transport you with the turn of a page to the rolling fields of a sheep farm on the South Island of New Zealand.

Inner image of sheep being herded from inside Tadd Myers booklet

Hands showing sheep's wool in a photograph

The award-winning Dallas, Texas based photographer specializes in advertising, corporate and editorial projects — but whether he is shooting barrel-making in Kentucky, sword forging in Arkansas or sheep shearing on the South Island, Tadd's photography remains rooted in the authenticity of his subjects.

Made with Merino Wool, shot by Tadd and designed by O&H Brand Design, is a series of photos documenting a trip to New Zealand that demonstrates the rugged elegance of Myers’ work.

Front and back covers of Tadd Myers booklet

Open booklet showing the printed photograph of the shepherd and black sheep

Inner spread of booklet showing photography and type

Mohawk Options Vellum (Beautiful Collection) was selected for this project because of its ability to capture the tonal quality and rich surfaces in Tadd Myers' work. The Vellum finish suggests the texture of the sheep's wool and serves as a subtle nod to the weathered skin on the backs of the farmer's hands — second and third-generation farmers whose lives are tied to their land.

Inner view of booklet with typography and photography, close-up

Fully open booklet with four panels showing dramatic photograph of sheep

In the center of the book there is a stunning gatefold spread; a simple but high-impact finishing technique that brings Myers' panoramic imagery to life. Sewn onto the cover is an actual Merino wool garment tag, sourced from the very farms featured in the book.

Ussery Printing Company suggested Options Vellum for Made with Merino Wool because of this paper's superior printing surface and outstanding ink hold. Options Vellum engages you through the power of touch by matching the textural surface and the essence of Myers' imagery.

close-up of binding with included wool tag

Tadd himself comes from a legacy of craftsmanship; growing up in his father's printing company, Myers honed his appreciation for the importance of quality craft and carefully selected materials.

An appreciation demonstrated even today, as Tadd chooses to use fine paper as both a technical and artistic tool to convey the story behind his images.

Client: Tadd Myers, Dallas, TX

Design: O &H Brand Design, Dallas, TX

Printer: U ssery Printing Company, Irving, TX

Merchant: Clampitt Paper, Dallas, TX

Paper:

Cover: Mohawk Options Vellum Crystal White 100dtc/270 gsm (Beautiful Collection)
Interior: Mohawk Options Vellum Crystal White 100t/148 gsm (Beautiful Collection)

Production: Printed 4 color process + 2 PMS and overall satin aqueous coating

Bindery: Perfect binding, letterpress scored and ornamental sew tags

Production Notes

Materials + Techniques

Aqueous Coatings

Water-based aqueous coating can be applied over wet ink from a special coater tower. Aqueous seals a press sheet instantly allowing the ink to continue to dry underneath. Matte, dull and lay flat aqueous are recommended for uncoated paper. Aqueous coatings generally cover the entire sheet because they do not yellow over time. Like varnish, aqueous coating primarily prevents rub off.

Bindery

Perfect Bound

The spine of the book block is cut and roughened, adhesive is applied to the rough edge, before a paper cover is wrapped around and glued in place.

Offset Printing Capabilities

4 Color

CMYK printing uses the four process color inks—cyan, magenta, yellow and black—to reproduce a broad spectrum of colors and tones and is made possible by repeating the halftone process for each color.

Designer

O&H Brand Design

Materials Used

Paper

Mohawk Options

Materials Matter: Indoek’s St. Augustine Issue

Second in a series of “city guides,” Italic Studio created Indoek’s St. Augustine Issue featuring interesting stories, photography and a variety of colored paper.

Close-up image of Perennials magazines lined up in a geometric grid pattern

Mohawk Blog

Perennials Fabrics: Matching Texture to Content

We’ve seen that the way paper feels is powerful and how we use it can make a difference. Every project is about something, be it adventure travel or single origin chocolate. Have you ever thought about finding textures in the content, product or stories that you can emulate through paper?

Field Guides

A Maker's Field Guide to Texture and Color

Introducing A Maker’s Field Guide to Texture and Color, an ambitious and comprehensive new printed tool from Mohawk, designed to serve as a hands-on resource for the creative community.