Here at TM we have built up quite an impressive library full of interesting materials that are innovative, useful and generally relevant to our work. Some are just beautiful materials that we hope one day to get the opportunity to use and most of them come with serious and authentic sustainable creds (for instance look under D for 'sustainably and ethically sourced diamond dust' or under S for 'stone paper').

However going through it recently we realised that it was getting rather out of date and was seriously lacking in a lot of the new innovations that we know are out there.

So here is our call out to all manufacturers and suppliers of interesting, sustainable things… if you make or supply a material that you think we may be interested in - if you have a new paper about to come on line that is made from potato peelings or a new MDF made from algae juice then please get in touch, tell us about it and send us some samples.

Our materials library is used extensively by our design team, our clients and selected design friends with a valid library card so it is a worthwhile opportunity to get your product specified.

We have therefore decided to return three of these packs to you for re-use (though even as I write this letter there has been no success in obtaining a postal address). As a lobby group for the National Association of Paper Merchants who claim compliance with PAS 2020 I would suggest that your direct mail should follow two simple rules in order that it does not undermine its message:

Firstly – make sure your mailing list is up to date. This will stop you sending out multitudes of mail to people who no longer exist, or overload the mailbox of a studio unnecessarily. Secondly – if your piece is delivered to the wrong destination it has the chance to be re-used (remember the age old mantra of re-use before recycle) by including a return address on the outside, halting its painful and wasteful journey straight into the recycling bin (if its lucky).

Whilst we at thomas.matthews believe in the power and impact of great print, we fundamentally believe in sustainable thinking and efficiency in every decision from concept to delivery.

Yours sincerely,
Sophie Thomas

We had fun with the crowd at the V&A Village Fete Jubilee making and showcasing London's most talented sock puppets. Young and old got to grips with their inner Sock Stars.

Check out the contestants at: www.flickr.com/photos/thomasmatthewsltd/sets/72157621760977467/