xpedx Wins New Exclusive U.S. Distribution Rights from German Specialty Papermaker Gmund; Expanding Relationship Benefits Graphics Professionals.

NEW YORK -- xpedx:

HIGHLIGHTS:

-- xpedx named exclusive U.S. distributor of Gmund's textile-like Kaschmir gradeline;

-- xpedx is also exclusive source for U.S. designers and paper specifiers to create and purchase truly customized printing paper--available quickly with very low minimum order sizes;

-- Gmund is 177-year-old manufacturer of ultra-premium printing papers, each of which are hand-dyed and hand-inspected;

-- xpedx joins Gmund at National Stationery Show in New York this week at Booth 3434

xpedx said today that it has expanded its three-year business relationship with Gmund, the German specialty papermaker, and has been named exclusive U.S. distributor of a newly expanded, high-end printing paper line, Kaschmir Cotton & Cloth.

xpedx, North America's largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment, now exclusively distributes three Gmund paper lines across the U.S. and can provide access to the company's 25 brands in most U.S. markets. Gmund is a boutique Bavarian papermaker that has produced some of the world's most luxurious printing and packaging papers for 177 years.

xpedx officials will join Gmund during the National Stationery Show this week at Booths 3434 and 3436 at the Javits Center, New York.

The Kaschmir Cotton & Cloth line looks and feels like textile and has exceptional printability. xpedx also markets and distributes the Treasury Collection, which contains tiny bits of real gold, and the 5/500 series, which provides custom-designed papers in small quantities in five weeks with a minimum 500 pound order.

"Graphics professionals in the U.S. reap important benefits from our expanding relationship with Gmund," explained Jeff Higgins, director of marketing services for xpedx. "We can provide designers and printers very unique, super-luxury papers that they would not otherwise be able to easily obtain."

"Designers and printers are always looking for distinctive papers to illustrate the uniqueness of their client and differentiate their work," Higgins added. "In a fast-commoditizing world, Gmund delivers custom, old-world quality, true differentiation, very interesting palettes and state-of-the-art printability."

Kaschmir Cotton & Cloth:
      new swatchbook is out; papers available in U.S. this month

Gmund Kaschmir Cotton & Cloth is a recently expanded text and cover gradeline with a new range of deep colors and two unique textile surfaces. It can be used in a wide variety of text and cover applications including invitations, brochures, book covers, holiday cards and packaging. Kaschmir is offset litho printable and can be embossed, die-cut and foil stamped.

Kaschmir Cloth is extremely soft, with a raised fiber surface that creates dimension and the feel of velvet. Its texture rivals cloth and is available in White, True Red and Deep Blue.

Kaschmir Cotton is robust yet soft, embosses well and is also luxurious to the touch. Cotton comes in five deep shades of color, cream and brilliant white and is available in three weights. Matching envelopes are also available in cream and white. For text uses, the lighter colors are available with a calendared surface.

Specifiers can get the swatchbook and order samples through their xpedx specification representative or on the web at suiteshoponline.com.

5/500: Minimum 500 pounds of truly custom printing paper--
                         available in 5 weeks

Gmund's 5/500 series allows designers to create their own printing papers--and order it in small quantities. This program was available only in Europe until xpedx brought it to the U.S. exclusively last year. Gmund's customers for the program in Europe include BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

5/500 has two lines--Creative System and Brillanca--featuring 78 colors between them. With up to six paper weights and more than 100 embossing patterns to choose from, there are 100,000 unique combinations possible. Gmund can also make the papers to match or include a Pantone color.

The 5/500 name represents the order size and timeline for distribution. A designer's custom created paper is available with a production time of 5 weeks (plus transportation time), and a minimum order of 500 pounds. Sample sheets of the paper are shipped within two to three weeks for client approval.

The Treasury Collection

The Treasury Collection is milled with real gold pigments and includes 10 shades, from porcelain white to metallics including radiant gold and deep bronze. The line is used for high-end invitation, brochure, book cover, holiday card and all luxury packaging applications.

The line is characterized by its consistency of finish and color. It is pH-neutral, chlorine and acid free, fade resistant and environmentally friendly. Unique textures make the papers well suited to finishing applications like blind embossing and hot foil stamping. It is suitable for all offset printing processes, offset litho, letterpress and screen printing. Some papers can be UV printed.

About Gmund

Family-owned Buttenpapierfabrik Gmund is one of the world's oldest paper manufacturers. Based in Tegernsee, Germany, Gmund has been producing handmade papers for corporate customers and individuals since 1829. Today, it makes ultra-premium writing, text and cover papers in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Every sheet is hand-dyed and hand-inspected. Gmund meets and often surpasses all German environmental requirements, which are some of the most rigorous standards worldwide. Gmund papers are made from totally chlorine free (TCF) wood or cotton pulp and alternative materials such as recycled fibers or hemp. Colors and fillers are non-toxic and free of heavy metals.

About xpedx and its businesses

Loveland, Ohio-based xpedx, an International Paper (NYSE:IP) company, is North America's largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment. It is also a large distributor of packaging supplies and equipment and facilities supplies and equipment. xpedx has more than 7,000 employees in 250 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. Major customers include commercial printers, publishers, manufacturers, retailers, facility managers and companies across many industry segments.

In addition to delivering the world's largest offering of printing papers from a single source, xpedx provides graphics professionals with advanced digital prepress equipment, hardware and graphics software, Ryobi presses and digital workflows, color management tools, finishing, bindery and packaging systems. xpedx also offers detailed operations analysis, advice and financing to help make a customer's printing operations more efficient and profitable. xpedx is one of the largest providers of post-consumer waste content and recycled printing papers in North America. It offers the greatest variety of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified papers in the U.S.

Other xpedx owned-and-operated businesses include New York-based Bulkley Dunton; Lenexa, KS-based xpedx Printing Technologies/Ryobi; the xpedx National Technology Center (NTC), a pre-press laboratory and demonstration center based in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as a network of 140 retail paper stores in 32 states that operate under the names xpedx Paper & Graphics, xpedx Paper Store, If It's Paper and Arvey Paper & Office Products. xpedx also operates one of the largest business-to-business e-commerce sites, xpedx.com, and is the exclusive, full-line importer and distributor of Ryobi printing presses in the U.S.

For more information on Gmund products in the U.S., contact your local xpedx representative or visit suiteshoponline.com.

Editor's Note: xpedx is spelled all lower case.