Independent has set up Paper: Select, a new design team that will work closely with the design community, the target market for Larius.

"Our aim is to work closely with designers to make their paper selection choice easier," said John McCrossen, head of Paper: Select. "With Larius we feel we can now offer the market a real alternative."

McCrossen, who has joined Independent from rival merchant Premier Paper, is heading up a three-strong team.

Independent Paper managing director Jill Mannix said Larius was the first in a range of exclusive products to be unveiled.

Burgos general manager of sales, Gian Luca Ghio, said the project had taken six months to come to fruition. He said Independent Paper was the most suitable UK merchant "due to its deep knowledge of UK users requirements".

Independent Paper already stocks Burgos Amadeus premium art coated paper, and will stock Larius sheets in both gloss and satin finishes, in weights from 115gsm to 350gsm.

Larius has been used for the Pirelli calendar, most notably on the 2001 edition.

Larius is the only art paper manufactured in Italy to carry the Pro Arte Imprimendi stamp.

Story by Andy Scott