PAPER QUALITY HELPS SUPPORT VOGUE'S SHINING IMAGE

Condé Nast Publications has standardised on M-real's Galerie Fine paper for Vogue, using it exclusively for over three years for all of the publisher's directly produced editions in France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, South America, Mexico and the UK.

Advertisers are prepared to pay a premium for appearances in Vogue, because of the title's unparalleled position as an opinion former on fashion. Quality of reproduction is critical, and the brightness and opacity characteristics of Galerie Fine ensure that images stand out, and without show-through — even when large areas of black are printed.

Outstanding quality and consistency were behind the decision to select Galerie Fine, as Director of the New Markets Division Condé Nast International, Carol Cornuau, explains: "Vogue chooses the best photographers, models and journalists, and premium paper helps us to present their output in the best possible way - giving both our advertisers and readers alike what we believe is the best possible viewing experience."

"The look and feel of paper contributes massively to the printed communication experience, and it typically performs this role subliminally," adds Andrew Gunman of M-real. "To have one of the world's best-known fashion brands choose Galerie Fine speaks volumes of the quality and luxury of this unique paper."

Vogue uses M-real's Galerie Fine Gloss 80gsm. This coated fine paper is a trend-setter in its own market, and was responsible for establishing a new quality standard when it was introduced in the late 1990s, allowing a near-woodfree paper to deliver high-gloss characteristics at basis weights below 100 gsm.

The innovation stems from M-real's original pulp, production and coating processes. Among the characteristics of the 80 gsm version of this paper that Vogue uses are the unique combination of opacity, brightness, smoothness and print gloss. This is achieved through the use of tailor-made pulps and a special coating structure giving the paper a smooth surface — leading to excellent reproduction quality of images. M-real produces Galerie Fine at two mills in Finland (Kirkniemi) and Sweden (Husum), providing the capacity to supply the largest of printing requirements, such as Condé Nast's direct printing operations which take place in seven countries.

Figure text:

Galerie Fine paper plays a supporting role in the continuing success of the influential international fashion magazine, Vogue.
© Condée Nast Publications LTD

Note to editors:

M-real is one of the leading producers of paper and paperboard in Europe. The company's customers include publishers, printers, carton printers, paper merchants, office suppliers and well-known consumer brand manufacturers.

M-real supports its customers' businesses by providing quality papers and paperboard for consumer packaging, communications and advertising end-uses. Together with its customers and partners, M-real develops products and solutions for demanding end-uses, such as magazines, art books, brochures, direct mail, and office papers. The company's paperboard is used for packaging of beauty and healthcare products, cigarettes, branded food and consumer durables.

M-real is headquartered in Finland. The company's sales are EUR 5.6 billion, and it employs over 13,000 people. M-real, which is part of the Metsäliitto Group, is listed on the OMX Helsinki Stock Exchange.

For additional information, please contact:

Andrew Gunman
Director - Publishing Business Area
M-real UK Ltd
Publishing Business Area

1st Floor
Sentinel House
16 Harcourt Street
London
W1H 4AD United Kingdom
tel. +44 (0) 1628 411780
mob. +44 (0) 7740 027372
e-mail: andrew.gunman@m-real.com

Marjo Halonen
Vice President Marketing Communications

Kirkniemi Mill
FI-08800 Lohja
Finland
mob. +358 50 598 70 46
e-mail: marjo.halonen@m-real.com
www.m-real.com