We are always being asked – at lectures or in conversation at design events – whether all the many un­usual cover materials we have featured over the years have put us off »standard« papers for ever. The answer’s easy: definitely not! It would be like expect­ing Heidi Klum never to wear a simple white blouse again, because of all the glamorous robes she models. The analogy with fashion is actually quite appropriate: we just can’t get away from it, in the same way that creatives can’t ignore the subject of paper. In both fields the surfaces, colours and »look and feel« are recycled over the years – but always in a new and inter­esting mix and with different processing or finish­ing. And just as we know not everything suits us, so, too, the choice of the right paper for a communication application is critical. Does my message want to feel young or gentle? Flattering or surprising? What adjectives do I think of when feeling a wavy or grainy surface? Should my flyer feel light and airy in the hands of the recipient, or should it have more weight and distinction? This month we invite you again to a prêt-à-porter show of paper – illustrated with many cre­ative applications in which our favourite material plays the starring role. As for the coming months, well we have quite a number of unusual paper types and impressive finishes lined up for you. On Facebook we will whet your appetite for these delights, a few days before publication of each issue – just a little taster, of course, without giving away too much. There we will also keep you up to date with lots of news and views from the sector, and look forward to your »likes« and comments.  
The exclusive cover for the April issue delighted many readers and so this month we are bringing you a little sequel to that theme: Fascinating insights from Zerkall, long-standing makers of mould paper – a perfect accompaniment also to this month’s paper focus.
In our series on finishing, you can pick up hints and tips on how best to design and use cut-outs.
As you can see, just about everything this month is to do with paper. So, time to close your iPad and dive instead into the analogue world of tactile and visual pleasures!
Finally, a piece of news relating to our team here at novum: We are delighted to welcome on board a new creative – Dominic Brighton.
I wish you a wonderful May, brim-full of ideas,

Bettina Schulz