NEW YORK--May 22, 2006-- 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.