We just came across something really cool! Check out this wrapping paper from Craftside, which was created with the environment in mind.  While the front of the paper has a cool, retro design, the back includes colorful images and text from their craft books. This is because their wrapping paper and gift tags are made from printer’s scraps that are normally thrown away!  This is how it was done…

The wrapping paper is made from the “makeready” of two of their newest paperback editions: Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution) and Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters.  “Makeready” is the waste created as the printer calibrates the correct ink colors, “making the press ready” for the actual print run that will create the finished sheets.  Usually, these 200-300 sheets of makeready are thrown out.  However, Craftside used these sheets to make wrapping paper.

They will be giving out these cool sheets at CHA, Maker Faire, Renegade and other craft shows this year.  Please visit Booth #2144 at CHA 2010 in Anaheim to pick up a sample of this awesome wrapping paper.

Update!

We got our hands on some of this paper and just love it! The front is the cute orange flower design, and the back is literally pages from a book. Even the tags are printed on the back. The paper has a wonderfully rich and thick feel and I really enjoyed wrapping my mother’s birthday gifts with it. So cool!