Creative agency D8 has collaborated with James Cropper to launch Coloursource, its new range of 50 coloured papers. Working closely with its in-house marketing team, D8 aimed to capture the beauty and integrity of a traditional craft that has endured for nearly 180 years.
They invited photographer Susan Castillo to build a striking set of campaign images using nothing more than paper, fishing wire and extraordinary patience. No AI. No CGI. Every curve and shadow was meticulously created in a studio using a camera, basic equipment and specialised lighting.
Susan is renowned for her bold, graphic imagery and was the natural choice for the job. As well as being a photographer, she is also a set designer, stylist, and prop maker – resulting in a creative process that has become a defining aspect of her work. Her photography for this campaign showcases the Coloursource range like never before.
For Creative Boom, our videos take you inside the paper-making process, with a 20-minute mill-tour and a series of fun reels for our social media channels. Of course, we were more than happy to support James Cropper’s mission to keep British paper-making alive, having long loved its products. It’s therefore encouraging to see so many people engaging with our content and sharing it with their creative friends.
But Coloursource is more than a product launch. It’s an invitation. The name reflects a belief that colour belongs to everyone. James Cropper has been pioneering colour since 1856, when it created the world’s first coloured paper using synthetic dyes. From its mill on the River Kent in the Lake District National Park, the team continues to push the science of colour forward – not as gatekeepers, but as enablers of creativity.
The new range showcases 50 trusted heritage shades, built on over 50 years of expertise. Designed, formulated and crafted entirely in the UK, each colour is precision-engineered by a dedicated team of artisans. And it doesn’t stop there. Bespoke formulations can be co-created in the mill’s world-class colour lab, opening up a ton of opportunities for your projects.
Ahead of launch, D8 worked closely with James Cropper’s Marketing Communications Manager, Jordan Scott, to refine the range’s identity and messaging. And that was based on its core values. “Provenance, heritage, craft and the dedication of the maker… even the water source is an essential element in the finished product’s quality and authenticity,” says D8 co-founder Adrian Carroll. “When you want the original, go to the source.”
My own visit to the Burneside mill, captured on camera, revealed the quiet drama behind every sheet: pigment blending, vast vats of coloured pulp and the thunder of massive machinery. But beyond all that, what makes Cropper particularly special is its people. They’re good eggs. They welcome you in and share their secrets. Their mantra, “What’s ours is yours”, says it all.
If you didn’t already know, James Cropper is the last true maker of coloured paper in Britain. By supporting them, you’re not just making a design choice; you’re championing British manufacturing, reducing your environmental impact and backing the very people who keep this amazing industry alive.
Did you know you can visit the mill yourself? Email [email protected] to arrange a tour and see how coloured paper is made first-hand. It’s an unforgettable experience and a reminder of what we risk losing if we don’t support homegrown production. And, by the way, if you need any paper, don’t forget that you can now order it directly from James Cropper.
That leaves me to say… If you care about people and the planet as much as we do, where you source your paper matters. James Cropper is where to begin – at the source of colour itself. We love their sentiment: ‘What’s ours is yours’. It feels very Creative Boom.
