LCI Paper Company is a proud U.S. supplier of Gmund papers. As such, we are often asked why Gmund paper carries a higher price point than competing domestic brands. The simple answer is that Gmund’s premium pricing reflects its status as a world-renowned luxury paper brand – one with nearly two centuries of paper-making history, an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability, and the innovation and craftsmanship to create some of the most exquisite specialty papers on the market.
In this post, learn what sets Gmund apart from the rest:
- Rich paper-making heritage: Family-owned Gmund has been in operation since 1829, maintaining a reputation for expert craftsmanship and uncompromising quality for nearly 200 years.
- Artisan craftsmanship: By blending old world techniques with modern technology, Gmund produces over 110,000 unique paper variations.
- Commitment to sustainability: Eco-conscious manufacturing is a top priority for Gmund, the mill utilizing sophisticated alternative energy sources, chemical-free recycling processes, and producing only FSC certified papers.
- Premium fibers: Gmund uses only premium-quality, sustainable, and increasingly innovative materials and production techniques that mass-produced papers do not.
- Superb printability: Gmund papers are extensively tested to consistently stand up to letterpress, offset, foiling, embossing, engraving, and more.
- Vigilant quality control: Each individual sheet of Gmund paper is inspected, counted, and wrapped by hand – a level of sensitivity and quality control that no machine can replicate.
Read on for more details and learn how to get Gmund paper for your next design.
Nearly 200 Years of Paper-Making Mastery
At Gmund, paper-making is not just a process, it’s a passion and a tradition. Since 1829, Gmund Paper Mill has been located in the town of Gmund am Tegernsee in the Bavarian Alps, nestled in a valley on the Mangfall River. Fine paper has been produced here for nearly 200 years, yet Gmund is one of the most modern design paper mills in Europe, featuring sophisticated facilities and research labs amongst its tasteful Bavarian decor.
Given their impressive abilities, many are surprised to learn that Gmund Paper Mill employs just 140 local individuals. It is also family owned – currently by fourth generation Florian Kohler who leads with a great respect for the environment and a deep-rooted appreciation for fine paper craftsmanship.
Fun fact – A testament to its long-standing heritage, much of Gmund’s paper is still produced on a 1880s paper machine affectionally referred to as “The Old Lady.” It is considered one of Europe’s oldest functional paper machines, contributing to the mill’s ability to produce specialized and distinct textures, compositions, and colors. Today, the machine is controlled via an integrated digital control center.
Artisan, Boutique Craftsmanship
By blending proven and time-tested techniques with modern technology, Gmund produces over 110,000 unique paper variations and counting. Paper tells a story and Gmund excels at helping brands tell theirs. Being able to produce custom-tailored textures, colors, and finishes, they are able to develop bespoke paper solutions for brands from around the globe. Gmund Paper is a top choice for high-end marketing materials, stationery, and packaging. High-value cosmetics, perfumes, alcoholic beverages, fine foods, teas, and many other products are packed in papers from Gmund.
Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is of utmost importance at Gmund – not only in the papers they produce, but in how they produce them.
Eco-Conscious Paper Production at Gmund:
- 100% Renewable Energy – Up to 75% of Gmund’s energy comes from its own renewable sources such as hydropower, solar energy, and combined heat and power generation. To cover any additional energy needs, Gmund only purchases energy with a green electricity certificate.
- Responsible Fresh Water Management – Gmund uses a state-of-the-art chemical-free ozone purification system to drastically reduce fresh water consumption.
- Renewable, Recyclable Fibers – Only responsibly sourced, readily renewable and recyclable fibers go into Gmund papers.
- Pulp Recycling – Gmund uses waste from production and reprocesses it into fresh paper pulp.
- Environmentally Certified Papers – All of Gmund’s papers are FSC certified, and many are Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified®* as well.
*The following Gmund papers offered at LCI Paper are C2C Silver Certified: Colors Matt + Metallic, Hanf, Used, and Wood.
Fun Fact – Gmund’s hydropower comes from the Mangfall River which flows beside the mill and into nearby Lake Tegernsee. Keeping this water source pristine is something Gmund takes very seriously, never releasing substances into the water or the surrounding environment. In fact, this water is so clean that sometimes, employees get in it themselves!
Premium Fibers & Precision Production
You get out what you put in, and it goes without saying that Gmund’s paper starts only with top quality, eco-conscious fibers, many of which are fresh alternatives to traditional wood pulp.
Popular Sustainable Paper Options Include:
- Bio Cycle – Compostable and made with readily renewable plant fibers such as grass, wheat, and hemp
- Colors – Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified® system of 48 matte colors*
- Cotton – 100% pure cotton letterpress paper
- Hanf – 10%, 50% or 100% European hemp paper**
- No Color/No Bleach – Simple, natural paper made without dye or chemical bleach
- Used – 100% re-used paper in designer colors
*Fun Fact about Colors – Gmund was the first paper mill in the world to certify a colored paper range with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® product standard.
**Fun Fact about Hanf – Gmund is the only paper mill in the world that produces 100% hemp paper and cardstock.
Gmund & Geenfibra Labs – Expanding Eco-Friendly Paper Packaging Possibility
Gmund works hand-in-hand with Greenfibra Labs, a spinoff facility that researches plant fibers to support brands interested in eco-conscious paper packaging. This innovative research, combined with Gmund’s precision and proprietary production, results in new and creative sustainable paper collections that expand previously known possibility.
Consistent, Superb Printability
Paper has a unique ability to captivate the senses, and flawless printing significantly enhances that experience. For this reason, Gmund papers are developed with luxury design and superb printability in mind. Each collection is extensively tested with embossing, hot foiling, letterpress, offset, silk screening, and even digital. Detailed printing recommendations and tips are offered for each collection, ensuring your printing will interplay with your paper’s color, texture, and finish perfectly.
Vigilant Quality Control
From starting with the finest raw materials to ending with rigorous quality control, Gmund is synonymous with uncompromising quality. Given this, it should come as no surprise that each individual sheet of Gmund paper is inspected, counted, and wrapped by hand in the Papiersaal* department. Each day, expertly trained Papiersaal employees hand inspect and pack around 700 reams – seeking even the slightest imperfection in surface, color, or texture. This is a level of experience, craftsmanship, and sensitively that no machine can replicate.
*The German word Papiersaal translates to “paper hall” or “paper room” in English.
How to Get Gmund
Are you ready to experience Gmund for yourself? The following Gmund brands are stocked in the U.S. at LCI Paper. If you aren’t finding quite what you need or if you’d like to inquire about custom paper development, please contact us. We’d be delighted to help you source or create the perfect paper for your project.
Gmund Brands Offered by LCI Paper
Shop the following brands in popular pre-cut sizes all the up to full-size mill sheets:
- Bio Cycle
- Color System (Matt, Felt, Metallic, Transparent)
- Cotton
- Hemp
- Moonlight
- No Color / No Bleach
- Used
- Wood
If you’d like to see samples, grab a swatch book! Individual paper, card, and envelope samples are also offered on LCIPaper.com.
Get Mill-Size Gmund Papers at Wholesale Prices
Printers, designers, and other creative professionals are eligible for wholesale pricing on full reams of mill-size sheets. To get started, visit the following page and fill out a quick and easy online application:
