March 8th, 2004

On the trail of stone printing

At the beginning of the year, Mayr-Melnhof Netherland organised a customer event in the traditional Dutch “Steendruk Museum”. Around 150 customers took the opportunity to bring their families along to discover interesting facts about the technique of printing with stones.

Mayr-Melnhof Karton, Holland, is a sponsor of the Dutch Stone Print Museum. The museum is located in Valkenswaard, in the south of Holland, and has a unique collection of exhibits concerned with the technique of printing with stones. Printing technology – both old and new forms – is a thrilling subject not only for Mayr-Melnhof Karton, but also for its customers. Thus the idea came about to organise a customer event in the Stone Print Museum. “In the form of this event, it was our specific wish to offer a programme to interest our customers and their families alike – in a pleasant, appealing atmosphere away from the usual office setting”, according to Frank Sinnige, sales director of MM Netherland.

In the run-up to the event, mailings, posters and suchlike loudly beat the drum for the forthcoming event – with huge success. Over 150 interested customers attended the weekend event in the “Steendrukmuseum” in Valkenswaard, which offered the visitors a comprehensive programme for both young and old – including an exhibition of children’s prints and children’s books from the 19th Century, a multi-media show on the history of printing with stones and a practical demonstration of an old stone printing press from the 19th Century. Following the theory on the 200-year old stone printing technique, the visitors were also given the opportunity to try it out for themselves. It was with a great deal of enthusiasm and joy that numerous children – instructed by experts – printed out their own black and white stone prints. The adults took this opportunity to take some refreshment in the form of a spot of lunch and coffee and cake.

It was a great opportunity for the marketing team of Mayr-Melnhof Netherland to make intensive contact with their customers in a relaxed atmosphere. The feedback from the customers was also unanimously positive. “When even the kids are fascinated for hours on end, then that really IS something!” is the way several customers who had come with their families and spent almost all day in the museum, reflected on the experience.

Due to the huge success of the event, a similar event is foreseen for next year, too. If you are interested in visiting the Stone Printing Museum before then, then check out www.steendrukmuseum.nl for further details.