For several years, SOBEZONE has been recognized for its numerous projects with seeded paper. Following your various questions, we have decided to take the time to answer them.
What is seeded paper? Seeded paper is a special kind of paper that is embedded with wildflower seeds. When the paper is planted in a pot of soil, wildflowers will grow from the paper.
Please note that because our paper is handmade, there may be a slight variation in thickness from sheet to sheet. Due to the fiber content of the post-consumer waste, a slight variation in paper shade may also occur.
Where is seeded paper produced and printed? Everything is produced and printed at a mill in Manitoba, from a certified woman-owned company.
What is the paper made from? The seeded paper is made from post-consumer and post-industrial paper collected from local offices and schools.
What type of ink is used? The inks that the paper is printed with are water-based and the dyes in the ink are organic and break down easily.
What types of seeds are available? Our planting seed paper contains the highest quality wildflower seed mix. All of our seeds are tested for purity and meet the high standards of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The wildflower seed mix in planting paper includes these species:
- Bird’s Eye – Annual
- Clarkia – Annual
- Black-eyed Susan – Perennial
- Silene – Annual
- Snapdragon – Annual
- Sweet Alyssum – Annual
Other seed paper mixes are also available, such as herbs, but these require a custom request.
What is the life span of the plantable paper? For best germination results, seed paper should be planted within 2 years. It will still grow beyond that, but the germination rates will decline after that period. Store in a cool, dry place, to preserve the germination rates as long as possible.
How do I plant the paper? Place your seeded paper on soil that is lightly compressed, but not too packed. Add 1/8 inch of soil on top of the paper and give it a good glass of water. After that, make sure it is still moist and in a sunny spot. You should see sprouts within 7 to 10 days.
When and where should I plant my seed paper? Spring is the best time to plant if you live in an area where the ground does not freeze. However, fall is ideal if you live in a climate where the ground stays frozen for several months. Seed paper can be planted indoors year-round in a pot of soil near a window that gets plenty of sun.
Is the seed paper fragile? This handmade seed paper is specially made to be strong. We use high-quality beating equipment, a custom-built press to bond fibers together and a special drying system to apply pressure to the paper for an additional 12 hours to complete the bonding of the fibers. These production steps produce a smooth, flat and strong piece of seed paper.
Can we mail seeded paper envelopes? Absolutely! We have done mailing tests which show that the handmade plantable paper envelopes hold up as well as machine-made envelopes.
How long does plantable paper last? To ensure the best results, the paper can be stored for up to 2 years. The paper should be stored in a dry place and away from heat sources.
What types of pens can be used to write on plantable paper? Most writing instruments write well on plantable seed paper, including ballpoint pens, rollerball pens, and calligraphy markers. Test a new pen on a sheet of seed paper before starting your project to confirm the results.
Why do I have to pay a set-up fee for my order? Artwork set-up fees cover the process of the print department setting up your artwork for printing on seed paper and include a digital proof for your approval before going to print. They do not include custom layouts or graphic design work such as typesetting and formatting, color adjustments or placement of various graphics and text. Your artwork must be designed to product specifications and in-line with our artwork guidelines.
How many seeds are there per square inch? This depends on the seed, but for wildflower seeds, approximately 12-15 seeds are in one square inch of paper. It is recommended to plant 2 square inches of paper to achieve the best results.
What ink coverage do you suggest? In order not to ‘smother’ the seeds, it is recommended to have a visual with an ink coverage of 30% to 40% maximum. Please note that an ink coverage of more than 40% may also result in additional costs.
Do you provide templates to make the graphics? Depending on the product selected, we can send you a template to facilitate the creation of your visual.
It is possible yo have a custom size custom? It is indeed possible. Depending on the shape, a die fee may apply.
How fast can expect to receive my order? This depends greatly on the type of seed chosen and the quantity ordered, as well as where we have to deliver. That said, in general, you can plan on about 3 weeks for the production and delivery of your order.
What are the most popular seeds? Wildflower mix is the most popular (and least expensive) option. Basil is also very popular in herbs.
Do I have to include planting instructions on the paper? Since the paper is printed according to the visual provided, we strongly recommend that you include instructions for planting in your graphic so that the recipients of the paper can have the best possible result. Instructions can be put in your own words. See above for general instructions.
Do I need to create the artwork myself or is this something that you do? The paper will be printed according to the graphic provided to us. In the event that you need a graphic designer, please contact us for rates.
In what format do I need to provide my artwork? Your artwork must be provided in a print-ready, vector format (.ai or .eps). A high resolution PDF is also acceptable.
If I order greeting cards, can I get enveloppes? Greeting cards can come with unprinted white envelopes. These are made of recycled paper.
Can I buy my paper without graphics and print it myself? It is not recommended to print this paper on a ‘standard’ printer. The paper is thicker than regular paper and can get stuck in the printer. Also, the heat of a standard printer can affect the seeds. We therefore sell the paper printed according to the visual provided.
Contact us for more information or for a custom project.
