There was a time when the printing industry was recognized for producing calendars to give to its customers at the end of year, but few printers or suppliers carry on the tradition. KW Doggett Fine Paper is a notable exception.
2015 is looking to be a dog of a year for the company, in the best possible way. Entering its 40th year in the paper business it’s using its iconic calendar to mark the occasion featuring, to no one’s surprise – dogs!
An email was sent to the merchant’s Victorian customers, asking for a bio and pic of their dog. There was only one criteria – their pooch had to be abandoned, then rescued and adopted
The company has donated money to Pet Rescue Australia in honour of their customers’ pets. From the 200 entries, Marta Roca from Four&Sons, a popular online and international print publication about dogs, along with two students, Caroline Beard and Anthony Stevens from RMIT, along with photographer James Geer, picked 12 photogenic mutts. The result is a year of canine portraits that take their cue from fashion photography, with each image capturing something unique about the dog.
“When we set up to shoot – on camera – 12 dogs in one single day, it somehow sounded like madness, even for a gang of four-legged fanatics like us! Maybe the hounds could smell that they were surrounded by big devotees, maybe the treats helped, maybe we were just plain lucky. Or all of the above. Whatever the reason, magic just happened! We couldn’t have asked for better models,” said Roca.
According to Catherine Doggett, marketing and sustainability manager, the 2015 calendar is one of the favourites so far. “We are pretty nuts about dogs and this calendar certainly lets them shine.
“Every year I think they can’t possibly top the last, but Marta, James, Anthony and Caroline have produced a truly beautiful piece. Surprisingly, most of the dogs were at ease in front of the camera – testament to their new, loving owners.”
Over the 27 years the calendar has been made, K.W.Doggett Fine Paper has collaborated with many people, mainly students, in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. The calendar, personally delivered to customers by K.W.Doggett Fine Paper representatives, is always hotly anticipated.
This year’s edition is printed UV offset on Strathmore Super Smooth Ultimate White 176gsm and the cover is Rives Tradition Poison Black 250gsm, featuring a screen printed title. A credits page lists a photo and story about each dog and their owner(s).
Customers are encouraged to use #underdogs2015 when posting pictures of the calendar on social media.
Those following the company’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages get the chance to win one of 10 calendars being given away. Competition opens on Monday 15 December 2014.
The calendar cover was screen printed by STS Creative Printers with the text pages printed UV offset by Immij. The whole was bound by Marvel Book Binding.