Some colleagues call her “the paper doctor” because of her unparalleled expertise. Others call her “Madame Caps” because she consistently types in capital letters. As a multitasker, she has no time to waste, certainly not on spelling and punctuation. Drive and enthusiasm are perhaps the two terms that best describe Katrien Maes. On top of being full of energy, the Ghent native is an encyclopaedia of knowledge about paper, printing techniques and finishes.
Few people talk about paper with as much dedication as Katrien Maes. For her, paper is much more than just a profession. It is a passion that she experiences in a special way. ‘I sometimes find myself leafing through a book or catalogue, just to listen to the paper. To hear what type and weight it is,’ she smiles. Paper has a touch, but for Katrien it also has a specific sound. It says everything about how she handles the product. Since 2019, she has been working at Fedrigoni, one of the most renowned paper manufacturers in the world. She acts as the advisory link between designer, printer and end customer. A connecting figure who takes projects to a higher level with her exceptional intuition. ‘I can empathise well with what others feel or think,’ she says. ‘That is perhaps my greatest strength: putting myself in the customer’s shoes. What exactly do they need? Which paper best suits the concept, the brand identity and the company philosophy? People have a certain result in mind. They dream of something. I respond to that. Printing is custom work. It must seamlessly translate what you stand for as an entrepreneur or company, and that starts with the paper.”
Katrien was born and raised in the graphic design sector. Her father founded Guido Maes.Printingdeluxe in Ghent in 1965. As a child, she helped out in the printing shop at a young age, and later ran the company herself for 25 years, together with her sister Lieve. ‘Our strength lay in providing total support. Concept, paper choice, design, format, finishing method, you name it. We took care of the entire workflow, from start to finish. I always wanted to know the whole story. That’s still the case today. The right paper is crucial to the feel of your printed matter, but it remains just one facet of a larger process.’
Katrine’s father was not only a printer but also a graphic designer. She picked up the attempts that ended up in the bin and turned them into booklets. ‘Mini maquettes’, she says. ‘A preview for later. When Lieve and I ran the printing business, we had a loft above the studio. Customers would come by with their ideas. That same day, they would leave with a blank dummy of their future creation. I still do that at Fedrigoni. Every proposal is accompanied by a model. This allows customers to experience the effect of the paper in real life in advance. They discover what it looks like, how it feels, how the pages open… Nowadays, everything is digital, but you can’t experience printed matter through a PDF. You have to go back to the material.’
Fedrigoni’s range includes around 2,500 types of paper. “It’s the most beautiful and extensive collection there is,” says Katrien. ‘The materials are of the very best quality and there are simply no limitations in terms of applications. Everything has been thought through. Each paper has a unique name and its own story. And then there’s the Italian, which I love. It adds an extra dimension, a kind of romance.’
Does she have a favourite type of paper herself? ‘There are so many beautiful papers, but if I had to name one, it would be Savile Row. Because it has a special meaning for me. My grandfather was a tailor and had a big influence on who I am. Savile Row is made from recycled clothing. It’s very special and a fine example of Fedrigoni’s sustainability philosophy. We invest heavily in this, as evidenced by our EcoVadis Platinum Label.’
Katrien Maes is ready to inspire you during the next breakfast session. Prepare yourself for a fascinating session in which Katrien will enchant you with her expertise as a representative of Fedrigoni.
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