Floral paper

Two samples from a fairly large sheet of floral paper. This was printed in China, in the 2010s.

What is most curious about the paper, is that the colours seems to have been printed without any regard to the pattern. On closer inspection, it seems that the maker has printed the dark background upside-down with respect to the red roses and blue flowers. The sheet was thus rejected, which would also explain why it was found wrapping a ream of other, higher quality papers. 

Florist's Wrapping paper

This specimen was found wrapping a bunch of flowers that were purchased in a Singaporean market.

 It is printed on a thin, glossy paper. It displays a pattern of (American) footballs, and the words "TOUCH DOWN". For whatever reason the phrase is printed in mirror image. 

Singaporean Blankbook.

The cover of an old ( 1980s -1990s) blankbook. This particular specimen was purchased an an ols shop in Singapore. The pattern reminds one of a certain type of tile.

Indonesian blankbook (3)

The cover of a pocket-sized (10 x 16 cm) Indonesian blankbook. This particular example was purchased in Jogjakarta in 2014, and probably manufactured around the same time.
The paper on this example is particularly intricate and vibrant, unlike the subdued hues of the other books featured here. Nonetheless, the influence of Batik patterns can still be felt.

The front cover bears the name SERITI, probably the maker's name. This particular blank book has a space for the user to fill in information on its front cover. Such a feature is fairly rare in blankbooks I have come across.

Floral towel

Once again I stray from the usual decorated papers to give you this charming motif:

It comes from a towel. It is a crude motif of flowers. Its simplicity, and lack of pretence makes it beautiful.

Indonesian blankbook: Endpapers

Below you see the endpapers of the Indonesian blankbook shown here and here  They are printed in a fetching shade of orangey pink. The pattern consists of dark orange squares on a paler "arabesque" background. 

I have observed that most modern blankbooks do not have decorated endpapers. Although certainty economical, it does rob the books of a certain amount of charm. 

Cupcake holder (3)

The patterns of cupcake holders possess a certain charm. Here is another. It is a simple design of floral sprays, printed in red and green. 

Christmas wrapping paper (2)

This is yet another piece of wrapping paper with a Christmas theme. This is a simple pattern of reindeer, pine trees, and small dancing Santas, arranged into stripes. As you can see, it was taped into the form of a bag. This is a popular mode of wrapping presents.

Christmas wrapping paper (1)

This rather garish piece of wrapping paper has an obvious Christmas theme. Although it is fragmentary, one can easily make up the pattern of baubles and snowflakes.
  This pattern may very well have been cobbled together from an assemblage of stock art, overlaid over one another. It looks crude, and childish. But, as you can see, it has protected a present well. If that's the case, who are we to judge? 

Indonesian blankbook (2)

Another Indonesian Blankbook. This blankbook was purchased from the same shop as the one featured here. Like its cousin, it is also printed in the same muted palate of brown, black and yellow. 

This pattern bears a resemblance to the parang , or sword motifs of traditional batik. These patterns typically symbolize victory. The paper on this blankbook bears a particular resemblance to the Parang barong, a pattern associated with Royalty.

Indonesian blankbook (1)

The Indonesians love of pattern and ornament is evident throughout their county. For one, Indonesia is a country famed for its patterned cloth, or Batik. Charmingly, patterns associated with batik are even used on the covers of blankbooks.
 Here is one such example. It was purchased in Yogjakarta in 2014. It was clearly of older stock. It is a subdued pattern, in black, yellow and brown. Nonetheless, the fine printing conveys all the genius of the batik-painter's art on the paper.