Carape

Carape (カラペ) is a Japanese fancy-paper brand owned by Tokushu Tokai Paper Co., Ltd. (特種東海製紙株式会社), a specialty paper manufacturer. The name is a registered trademark of the company. The brand began in 1987 as an ultra-thin colored wrapping paper (カラーラッピングペーパー) and has since been renewed twice, first as New Carape (ニューカラペ) in 2008 and then as t Carape (tカラペ) in 2012. The current product, t Carape, is a fancy paper offered in 20 colors, ranging from vivid vitamin tones to subdued shades, in a Kiku-ban T-direction (菊判T目, 636 × 939 mm) sheet size with a basis weight of 11.3 kg. It is positioned for wrapping and packaging uses, and is also used for origami, especially ultra-complex origami where thinness is important. The 't' in t Carape stands for 'Taiwan', reflecting that the paper is made in Taiwan through a business tie-up between Tokushu Tokai Paper and Chung Jih Specialty Paper Co., Ltd. (中日特種紙廠股份有限公司). Carape is part of Tokushu Tokai Paper's broader fancy-paper lineup, which includes roughly 3,000 fancy-paper varieties and well-known brands such as TANT, Leathac 66, Mermaid, and Satogami. The brand is sold in Japan and, through its Taiwanese manufacturing connection, has a Taiwan link. It is a product brand rather than a standalone company, and its commercial identity is tied to Tokushu Tokai Paper's specialty paper business.

Carape was first launched in 1987 by Tokushu Tokai Paper Co., Ltd. as a colored wrapping paper (カラーラッピングペーパー). The original Carape had a basis weight of 11.3 kg and came in 30 colors; it is no longer sold. In 2008, the brand was renewed as New Carape (ニューカラペ), which also included a 9 kg basis-weight version; this too has been discontinued. In 2012, New Carape was renewed again as t Carape (tカラペ). In 2021, t Carape changed from Kiku-ban Y-direction to Kiku-ban T-direction, with a basis weight of 11.3 kg and 20 colors. The 't' in the name stands for 'Taiwan', as revealed on Tokushu Tokai Paper's Twitter account; this reflects that t Carape is papermade in Taiwan following a business tie-up between Tokushu Tokai Paper and Chung Jih Specialty Paper Co., Ltd. (中日特種紙廠股份有限公司). A related similar brand, Carape Lapis (カラペラピス), was launched in 2010; it was Kiku-ban Y-direction, 25.7 kg, in 4 colors, with a mineral-like sheen, and is now discontinued. The Carape name is a registered trademark of Tokushu Tokai Paper. The brand sits within the company's fancy-paper category, which encompasses about 3,000 varieties and includes other trademarks such as TANT, Leathac 66, Mermaid, and Satogami.

• 2021

  t Carape changed from Kiku-ban Y-direction to Kiku-ban T-direction, with 20 colors at 11.3 kg.

• 2012

  t Carape (tカラペ) launched as a renewal of New Carape.

• 2010

  Carape Lapis (カラペラピス), a related similar brand, launched in 4 colors at 25.7 kg.

• 2008

  New Carape (ニューカラペ) launched as a renewal, including a 9 kg basis-weight version.

• 1987

  Carape launched as a colored wrapping paper with 30 colors and 11.3 kg basis weight.

A registered-trademark fancy paper for wrapping and packaging, also favored for ultra-complex origami due to its thinness.

• Carape (original)

  Colored wrapping paper launched in 1987; 30 colors, 11.3 kg basis weight; discontinued.

• New Carape (ニューカラペ)

  Renewal launched in 2008; included a 9 kg basis-weight version; discontinued.

• t Carape (tカラペ)

  Current product launched in 2012; 20 colors, Kiku-ban T-direction (636 × 939 mm), 11.3 kg; papermade in Taiwan.

• Carape Lapis (カラペラピス)

  Similar brand launched in 2010; 4 colors, Kiku-ban Y-direction, 25.7 kg; discontinued.

1. 1tカラペ(20色)｜検索結果｜特種東海製紙secure.tt-paper.co.jp
2. 2製品情報｜特殊紙のポータルサイト｜特種東海製紙secure.tt-paper.co.jp
3. 3製品情報｜特殊紙のポータルサイト｜特種東海製紙secure.tt-paper.co.jp
4. 4検索結果一覧｜特殊紙のポータルサイト｜特種東海製紙secure.tt-paper.co.jp
5. 5Carape - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6カラペ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org