H is for Hemp by Maren Krings – printed on Hahnemühle Hemp Paper

The world ́s first bookprinting paper made of Hemp is a passion project and lifetime commitment of photographer and climate impact storyteller Maren Krings.
Her book on the subject of industrial hemp, its history and uses led her naturally to German paper manufacturer Hahnemühle. The development of Hahnemühle ́s hemp paper and the production is exclusively featured within „H is for Hemp“ along with beautiful photography illustrating Marens‘ adventures over five years of travel accross the world.

Over the course of 2020 and 2021 she spent considerable time bringing all her photography, knowledge and notes together into this magnificient tome. „Hemp is a compass back to nature, showing us what a world would look like if it was not based on money, but on nature again“ explains Maren Krings. The narrative structure of the book is interesting, it is dictated by the alphpabet rather than a start and an ending due to the non-linear subject at hand. The book can be used by the reader as an encyclopeadia, manual or interesting fact book on industrial hemp and its uses.

Hahnemühle – as inventor of fineart hemp papers for photography and drawing – leveraged the Hybrid Hemp paper for offset and high-speed inkjet printing for the publishing industry in times when printing paper became limited and expensive. “It is the first paper made from sustainable hemp fibres grown in Europe for environmentally conscious print products. It captivates with the authenticity and haptics of a paper made from sustainable hemp fibres. Hahnemühle Hemp paper delivers outstanding results in text, photo and image printing for authors, agencies, print providers and publishers,” enthuses Jan Wölfle, CEO Hahnemühle Group.

Inititally, Maren Krings used Hahnemühle Digital FineArt Hemp paper for her photographic exhibition at the Hemp Museum in Amsterdam in September 2021 ‘Hemp’s Potential’. Krings photographs testify to the vitality and diversity of the current international hemp industry. Hahnemühle supports the exhibition and the 100% tree-free book with its very own environmental initiative Green Rooster which is unique in the paper industry.

„H for Hemp“ was printed in partnership with Elanders Germany on a HP PageWide and Indigo Commercial Press. Hahnemühle Hybrid Hemp papers performed extremely well on a HP PageWide T250HD in rolls for the content of the book printed on Hybrid Hemp 80gsm. The covers are printed in sheets on 280gsm Hybrid Hemp paper HP Indigo sheet-fed digital press.