Cole and Son

I found another really good website that explains their print production, it seems the more expensive and traditional wallpaper houses have this information on their website where are the modern and digital wallpaper houses provide less information, so I am going to have to have further contact with these and see if I can possibly get a visit with one of them. Below is information and photographs taken from the website, its slightly better than the previous post, as this goes into more detail about each print process, something i feel people who no nothing about these processes will find really interesting, especially when spending a large amount of money. This information also covers a range of questions I wanted answering, because of this my questions I put forward to them through email, were responded with a link to this page, this doesn't answer all my questions however but at least I got a response from them.

Custom Made Stripes

Cole & Son makes stripes by a traditional method offering an unlimited selection of stripe combinations and backgrounds. We have over 150 varieties of stripes that can be combined to provide a unique striped wallpaper.

Surface Printing

Surface printing uses a roller to apply the ink to the paper. This is the printing method by which the majority of our wallpapers are made. All our colours are mixed by eye.

We use very high quality 150gm paper to provide the best printing and hanging results. Our papers are still festooned by hand to air dry in the traditional way.

Flocking

Flock printing, revived by Cole’s owner John Perry in the 1870s, is a process that replicates cut velvet on wallpaper. The process involves hand block printing of a special glue instead of ink, and then cut wool or viscose is vigorously shaken onto the surface of the paper.

Screen Printing

Cole & Son is reputed to have set up one of the first ever screen printing studios in the late 1940s and produced printed designs for Lucienne Day for the 1951 Festival of Britain.

This process produces a very detailed design by squeezing the inks through a fine gauze onto the paper.

Other designers who worked with Cole’s in the 1950 and 1960s include Peggy Argus, John Drummond, Eduardo Paolozzi, Michael Clark and Gordon Livesay to name a few. Some of their designs have been re-launched and can be seen in the Contemporary Collection.

Block Printing

This traditional hand printed process is especially suitable for more exclusive papers. It requires immense skill and a long apprenticeship. The effect is a heavy build up of colour providing a special depth and graining. The advantage of block printing is the availability of large repeat sizes (up to 183cms / 72ins). Available in custom colours and backgrounds. Minimum order is 10 x 10m rolls. Cole & Son holds over 1800 block designs.