Must Have: International Paper
Finding it difficult to keep up with the latest on printing and paper? Hey, it’s not as if there’s an instruction book on this stuff. Oh wait, there is. It’s called the Pocket Pal and for the last 85 years (!) International Paper’s been tucking it into the grateful hands of designers, printers, and everybody else who really wants to know the facts.
But don’t let the age fool you. The most recent edition, its 21st, covers the latest technology, including digital inkjet, variable data and security printing. It also provides valuable information on more traditional printing, too, thanks to a thoughtful balance of history, technology and application. And yes, at 7 x 4 inches, you can easily pop it in your pocket or bag.
[THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED] Don’t have the latest edition of the Pocket Pal? We can fix that! Enter to win one of 50 right now! Hurry, contest ends Oct. 24th! (North American entries only, please.)
Where can I get one of these. your instruction books are invaluable! I would contact my distributor but obtaining any kind of samples these days has proven to be extremely difficult. And as a Pro Member I try to order everything through paper specs., I also lean on paperspecs when I am denied, (by distributor) or feeling terribly uncomfortable (by distributor) when ordering samples from the local distributor. . I am made to feel as though I am stealing. pushed away
Hopefully I can get sample, many people need to see before making a decision. Paper needs to be touched. Paper/ print needs to be experienced through visual means and touch.
I have a difficult time selling in these points to a client who does not have reference.
your automated response: what does moderation mean. sounds like censorship? Maybe you need to revise your automated response to ANY comment or response in your browser.
Hi Eileen, thanks for writing. And apologies about the automated response. Unfortunately comment moderation is a necessary step in a world where spammers, hackers and worse regularly post on every website they come across. We’ve had to get rid of some links/images through moderation that you most definitely wouldn’t want to see on PaperSpecs. In the meantime, our PaperSpecs PRO Concierge, Susie, is looking into the availability of the Pocket Pal. She will be in touch with you directly once she’s acquired that information for you. Hope that helps 🙂
Hello! Wondering if there is still availability on this piece? I would love one! Thanks in advance!
Hi Michelle – Just sent you an email about this 🙂
Hi, I am trying desperately to track down a copy of this. Do you have any available or can you advise where I might find one please
Hi Vicky. Unfortunately it’s been a while since The Pocket Pal has been published. The best we can advise is to reach out directly to Sylvamo (whose predecessor, International Paper, published this series): https://www.sylvamo.com/us/en/contact-us
We HAVE seen used copies of older editions for sale on eBay and other sources – here are a few: https://www.google.com/search?q=sylvamo+pocket+pal&sca_esv=36ab8804a141efdc&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS997US997&sxsrf=ACQVn08UCHnUXD1VELT9b6lQQj0ig7YzIA:1711538206511&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&ved=1t:6869&ictx=111&biw=1599&bih=880&dpr=2.2
Sorry we couldn’t be of more help on this.
I’m reading the 22nd edition of pocket pal and i’m finding very inaccurate information there. Who should i talk to, to get these fixed?
For example data on linespacing. 12pt text with 14pt leading doesn’t add up to baseline distance being 2pt as the book says – it is 14 pt. 20pt line of type with 24pt leading doesn’t add up to 44pt line spacing. If anything it would be 4pt.
Another example: line length measure of “one to two times the point size” would make line length of text in point size 11 only 22 characters long. This is way too short for a line. Traditionally, it is 2-2.5 alphabets – 52-64 characters. I’m not sure where the data of “one to two times the point size” came from.
There are also mis-edits like in the section on prepress, type size, a sentence starting with “The guidance of a qualified…” is repeating twice in the first third of the page.
Pocket Pal being “authoritative” text on publishing can’t afford such errors.
Sorry to hear that, Michael. Not sure if the Pocket Pal is still being published – this edition is from 2019.