Hahnemühle Hemp Paper at Olympics & Paralympics 2024
14 September 2024: Vimal Parmar, an independent marketing consultant and digital print evangelist with over 40 years of experience in the imaging industry writes about the product innovation for well-designed, premium-grade print products.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics embraced sustainability, Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt Hemp paper played a central role as the exclusive medium for the official Premium Posters. This eco-friendly, plant-based paper aligned with the Games’ commitment to sustainability and delivered exceptional print quality. From limited-edition posters to the Artistic Posters Programme, Hahnemühle’s innovative use of hemp fibres showcased how high-value print products continue to thrive in a rapidly digitizing world.
As the shift towards digital accelerates in the print world, the demand for high-value print products continues to grow. The industry keeps innovating whether it is printing photographs, general commercial printing, signage, fine art prints, or packaging. A prime example is the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt Hemp paper played a key role as the exclusive medium for the official Premium Posters, emphasizing the enduring value of high-quality print in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics not only celebrated athletic excellence but also embraced sustainability and artistic innovation. Hahnemühle, a German paper manufacturer, was a key player in this narrative. Its Digital FineArt Hemp paper was selected by oneart, the official licensee for Paris 2024, as the exclusive medium for the event’s premium posters. This plant-based, tree-free, and vegan paper was the perfect match for the Games’ commitment to sustainability.
Commenting on the choice of Hahnemühle Hemp paper, Stéphane Tisseyre, co-founder of oneart, shared, “We were looking for a high-quality paper in order to remain consistent with our commitment to enhancing printed media in line with our motto ‘Exceptional image, exceptional paper’.” The decision to use Hahnemühle Hemp highlighted both the artistic and environmental values of the Games, ensuring that the printed works would be visually stunning while aligned with the event’s eco-conscious goals.
Tradition Reinvented: Hemp Fibres in Modern Fine Art Printing
Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt Hemp paper is created using 60% hemp fibres and 40% cotton linters, a by-product of the textile industry. This eco-friendly blend meets the highest standards of sustainability while also offering excellent print performance. The natural white tone of the paper, free of optical brighteners, and its subtly textured surface combined with the matte premium inkjet coating provided the ideal surface for reproducing the intricate designs of the posters.
Hemp has a long history in paper production, famously used in the Gutenberg Bible and the U.S. Declaration of Independence, thanks to its durable fibres. Hahnemühle has revived this ancient material to create a modern fine art paper that not only lasts but delivers exceptional print quality and features the highest longevity and colour density
The Official Premium Posters and The Artistic Posters Programme
Oneart’s collaboration with Hahnemühle resulted in the creation of a limited-edition of 2024 Premium Posters, designed by the talented designer Ugo Gattoni, which captured the vibrant energy of the Games. Gattoni’s intricate designs, including a night-time version that sold out before the Games even began, showcased Paris and its iconic landmarks in a celebration of sport and French culture. The use of Hahnemühle Hemp paper ensured that these artworks retained their vivid colours and sharp details, bringing Gattoni’s vision to life.
Additionally, the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad featured the Artistic Posters Programme, where artists from around the world were invited to reflect on Olympic and Paralympic values through various mediums. These works created a lasting cultural memory of the Games, with themes of inclusivity, parity, celebration, and innovation at their core.
Each poster, in 60×80 cm, whether part of the official Premium Poster series or the Artistic Posters Programme, was printed in limited editions on Hahnemühle Hemp paper with pigment inks. The prints were subsequently numbered by hand, and embossed with the Paris 2024 logo, making them treasured collectibles
https://oneart.fr/en
