GIVEAWAY: The Incredible Massive Letterpress Giveaway

Ok Paper People, as far as giveaways go this is a really good one. So good I struggled with whether I should even post it (less competition - it's mine, all mine!) But alas I must share in an effort to spread good paper karma.

Poppytalk is hosting "The Incredible Massive Letterpress Giveaway," organized by our own Stationery Guide Kelly, of Paper Stories. Featuring the work of 38 amazing letterpress printers, including some of our Guides, the giveaway features three amazing prize packages, including First Prize - a COMPLETE set of prints from all 38 artists!

You have until the end of the day Thursday to enter and win. Good Luck! (I guess)

- Diane, Shakespeare's Bride

2009 Hot Wedding Motifs- Birds and Trees

This year seems to be the year of birds and trees. Both designs are popular for garden and outdoor weddings, providing a casual and natural feel to your invitations. The birds are symbolic of love (and the old saying "love birds") and togetherness. Trees have different meanings depending on type, from the Oak, which means family, strength and loyalty, to the Palm Tree, standing for Unification, Warmth and Fertility.


Image Credits (going clockwise):
Bird with Berries, Blue Birds of Happiness and "Something Blue" (with tree): Lasso'd Moon Designs
Bottom rightLetterpress Tree:Paper Stories Letterpress
Ornate Bird graphic Blush Paperie

Trend: The Art of Lettering by Hand

Hand-lettering is a fresh trend with roots firmly planted in the art of calligraphy. The current lettering trend extends beyond the classic scrollwork calligraphy we've admired over the ages, and leans toward a free-form interpretation of the alphabet. The result is a whimsical and often playful reminder of our youth. So it's no surprise that this trend is currently enjoying the spotlight in mainstream design as people look for ways to lighten the overall mood of "the times".

On trend for baby & children, the hand-lettered alphabet makes learning about letters so much fun!

(1) Alphabet by Linzie Hunter (2) Geoff McFetridge for animalphabet.org (3) Mike Perry for animalphabet.org

When used on an announcement or invitation, an artful font speaks about the personality of the couple. Perfect for informal events.

(1) Calligraphy by Love, Jenna (2) Hand-lettering by Sarah Gardner (3) Save-the-date by Float Paperie (4) Wedding Invitation by Linda & Harriett

The hand-lettered notecard is perfectly suited to the hand-written note, which (nowadays) is a gift in itself to receive.

(1) Hello Notecards by Susy Jack (2) Chill Notecard by Artful Sentiments (3) Initial Notecard by baron*cards (4) Letterpress Birthday Notecard by Paper Stories

~ Lianne Tokey, baron*cards

A "Good" way to shop!

With all the lovely stationery choices out there, it's sometimes difficult to make a decision what to purchase for yourself, or for that special little gift. Goods for Goodness' Sake can help you with that, by ensuring that you not only purchase beautiful products, but you also do a little good for someone else along the way. Goods for Goodness' Sake is a new online boutique that donates 100% of its profits to one of several charities that the shopper selects when they make a purchase. Now that's something we can all feel good about.

Owners Cathe of Feterie (and one of the stationery guides) and Lara of Tiny Tales have partnered with several stationery designers that they have come to know over their years running their own businesses to fill this new online boutique with delightful paper goods. The shop includes products from designers Artful Sentiments, Bride Design, Feterie, Hen & Barley Press, Loop, Marzipan, Paper Stories, PaperLuxe Studio, Rock Scissor Paper, Shimmer Studio, Three Wheels Design + Paper, and Tiny Tales, many of whom have created products exclusively for Goods for Goodness Sake.

Stop by the shop, won't you? It's a great place to buy some lovely stationery and do a little good at the same time.

Molly, Artful Sentiments

Make your mark using eco-friendly inks

Most people think “eco-friendly stationery” has everything to do with the paper. Just as important (and often overlooked) is the ink used to create the images and impressions we see on paper.

However, not all inks are created equal! “Traditional” inks are considered toxic to the environment because they don't decompose in landfills, they emit air pollution in the form of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and are based on petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Unfortunately, these inks are commonly used in printing processes because they are readily available and considered to be cost-effective. Thankfully, there are alternatives. Here are some suggestions on how make a 'green' impression on paper:

Use vegetable-based inks (soy, flax, canola or safflower)

- emit low VOCs
- derived from renewable resources
- easily stripped from paper in the recycling process
- biodegradable
- available for commercial and personal printing equipment
- provide high-quality, vibrant prints

Remember that less is more

Source short-run printing using solid wax ink or by digital press using liquid ink. These processes can print small quantities with less setup and chemical clean-up required.

Lasso’d Moon Designs: eco-friendly printer, uses wax based solid ink.

Even better: print only what you need. Source stationers who print by hand using block print, silkscreen or letterpress.

(left) Feterie: Eco-Luxe Gift Wrap is hand silkscreen-printed with soy/veg-based ink | (right) Artful Sentiments: Each card is an original work of art, hand printed

Hire a calligrapher for your stationery package or envelope addressing (you can also do it yourself).

Betsy Dunlap: calligraphy by hand

Design considerations: choose designs that use less ink or none at all. Look for minimalist designs or letterpress that incorporates ‘embossing’, where the impression into the paper creates the design without ink.

Paper stories: embossed letterpress design

Go digital: where possible, eliminate the ink altogether. Use wedding websites for wedding day information (such as Accommodation or Direction details) and send “Save the Date” notifications via email.

Eco-saavy consumers on a quest for eco-friendly stationery should look beyond recycled paper. Work with stationers who resource low-VOC ink solutions with the capacity to run small quantities and you'll be doing your part to support sustainability!

- Lianne Tokey, baron*cards

trends: cupcakes

handblown cupcake stand by amanda gross

In honor of my birthday today, I thought I would do a little post about something I love... the cupcake. Ever since the gals on Sex and the City headed down to Magnolia Bakery in NYC, cupcakes have been everywhere; both the edible and inedible kind. Here are just a few of the paper variety...

'how can i resist you' card by invita paper studio

calendar by yee-haw industries

birthday card by shades of violet

birthday card by sweetbeets

And lastly, for those spontaneous birthday celebrations, if you have one of these 5 minute candle packs by Poketo on hand, just break off a candle and stick it in a cupcake. Instant party!

~Kelly, Paper Stories

birth announcements : beyond pink and blue

when it comes to choosing the right announcement for the arrival of your new bundle of joy, the options can be daunting. you're so excited to share the news with friends and family and want to make sure your announcement stands out. one way to do this is with an announcement that doesn't fit the stereotypical pink and blue theme. surprise them with bold burst of bright hues and it will be an announcement that's hard to forget.

the announcements below are from fin+roe. if you want yours to stand among all the other pastel pinks and baby blues, this is your answer! at fin+roe you choose your favorite design layout and then choose from 20 colors and 10 patterns to create your own customized design!


why not try a bright spring green on a baby girl announcement like the one below?


try a cheery orange for a little boy.


this bright red custom announcement from paper zest is a great color option if you're looking for a full-custom design. you can view a great selection of their previous work on their website.


this lovely orange option with pops of magenta comes from feterie. another nice touch: unlike most flat photo announcements, this one is a folded card.


i love the sophisticated and calming feeling that this chocolate brown announcement from paper stories letterpress exudes. brown is such a great color to tie into any color theme. it's gender neutral and is a softer option than black for a baby announcement.


if you're looking for a non-photo based announcement i thought these cards from InVita paper studio would be such a fun way to announce the arrival of a new baby. the colors are bright and cheerful and i love the text based design.

i hope this has given you a few ideas on how to escape the pastel pink and baby blue rut that so many people fall into. there are so many options out there. the possibilities are endless!

photos courtesy of their respective owners.

-lori [marzipan inc.]

Studio Tour - Paper Stories Letterpress

some tools of the trade - the table where i mix ink & keep some basic supplies

When choosing a printer or designer, people always seem to look at samples, their website or even their online shops. Seldom do they think about what goes on behind the scenes... in the printshop. Today I wanted to give you a little studio tour of the Paper Stories shop where all the letterpress magic happens. Hopefully other contributors will join me in sharing a little peek behind the curtain, if you will.

Since I print letterpress, I am tied to a 1200 pound beast of a press, lovingly named 'Miss Chandy P'. At the moment, my studio space is just cozy enough for the press, a few work tables, two paper cutters and a few other smaller presses (that I recently bought and are not in the pictures).
Most of these printing presses are rather old and often have little 'bugs' that need tinkering with from time to time. My press was made in 1926 and for the most part, works really well. She is a real workhorse that has never let me down. (knock on wood)
In any studio space, I think it is important to have personal touches. I have this vintage dresser mirror hanging up that is surrounded by all sorts of photographs and ephemera. Many of the pictures are from rock shows taken by my super talented photog friend, Jeff. When I am printing sometimes I like to take a break and having fun or memorable things to look at keeps me motivated and in a good mood. Standing at a press, all day hand-feeding sheet after sheet, can be very taxing on the body. Taking a little mental break now and then is essential.

I hope you have enjoyed this tiny tour. I think it is always interesting to see people's work spaces. If you aren't familiar with letterpress perhaps you enjoyed just seeing the massive equipment involved. Stay tuned in upcoming weeks as I will do a post about the different types of printing presses used. (Some are way bigger than mine even. Ouch).

~Kelly (all images courtesy of Kelly, Paper Stories)

Trends: Letterpress

letterpress card by Paper Stories

Within the last few years there has been a huge explosion in the popularity of all things letterpress. (Please see this previous post if you need a bit of info about what letterpress is.) I think there are several reasons for this. Letterpress is a very tactile art form which begs to be touched. You simply can't keep your hands off of it.

letterpress card by Paper Stories

Modern letterpress also appeals to people because it is a contemporary take on a centuries-old method of printing. In a day where the computer (and more specifically, email) rules, there is still the need to embrace the more traditional and old-fashioned methods of communication, where sending a letter in the mail has become a luxury.

letterpress card by Ephemera Press

With modern letterpress, there are a variety of styles available from elegant and traditional to bold and sassy. While the means of production may be antiquated, the approach to design is not.

letterpress card by Shimmer Studios

Kelly @ Paper Stories

A Thank You Cards post-holiday round up!

Well now that we all know how to write a proper thank you note here are some lovely cards for the task! Cartolina Cards (1) offers this gorgeous lotus flower thank you note. I love this cute paper airplane note card (2) from Pink Loves Brown which is blank on the inside and waiting for your thoughts. Rock Scissor Paper (3) offers this lovely card as a boxed set if you have a few thank you notes to send out. This letterpress card from Shimmer Studio (4) features a cherry blossom illustration. Paper Stories (5) has another perfect letterpress option! And (6) Artful Sentiments has this lovely zinnia hand block printed card. So go on and write some thank you notes — I know I will be!

(note: to purchase any of the featured stationery please follow the links on the company names above.)
Photo credits; (1) Cartolina Cards, (2) Pink Loves Brown, (3) Rock Scissor Paper, (4) Shimmer Studio, (5) Paper Stories, and (6) Artful Sentiment.

Letterpress 101

When people start looking for wedding invitations and social stationery, there are many options for printing. Many choices often include letterpress printed items but you may be one of the many people wondering what exactly is letterpress. Consider this your crash course in letterpress.

Some antique wooden type. The letters have to be backwards so that
when they print, they are going the right way. (like a rubber stamp)

Letterpress printing is a form of relief printing that dates as far back to China around 750 AD. Ever heard of Gutenberg? He is considered the grand-daddy of the letterpress. He created the first wooden printing press that used movable type. The basic idea behind this type of printing is that a raised surface such as images (cuts) or little movable letters (type) are arranged in the press bed. Rollers distribute ink over the raised surface, paper is fed to the adjacent surface where the form (raised cuts or type) and paper are pressed together under force. The raised, inked image is pressed into the paper, leaving an impression.

Historically, movable type was either carved from wood or cast in lead. For every font and every font size you wanted to print with, you would be required to have a drawer of type which often are very heavy and space consuming. Image cuts were made from magnesium and mounted onto wooden blocks. Many printers still uses these materials for printing while others search for old cuts and type for decoration.

Now days, many printers use plates made from photopolymer. It allows us to print anything we can create on a computer. The plates take up much less space and are also recyclable which is great.

Some letterpress tools

The thing that seems to draw people to letterpress the most is the deep impression possible in the paper. What many people may not know is that is actually considered a mistake with letterpress. Traditionally, the most skilled printers were those whose form would just "kiss" the surface without making an impression. Over time, the art of letterpress has shifted the other direction where the deeper the impression, the more desirable


As for the printing presses used, most are very large and very heavy. My press weighs 1200 pounds and was built in 1926. These types of presses have not been manufactured in decades so finding a good quality press can be a hunt. Most of these presses, like mine, must be manually fed, one sheet at a time. The other notable thing about letterpress printing is that each color must be done separately. New plates must be made or new type set for each individual color. The press must be set up, inked then cleaned fully with each color. So if I am printing 200 invitations that have 2 colors, each piece of paper has to go through the press 2 times. That is like feeding 400 sheets through the press. Many presses aren't even automated, requiring pulling a lever, cranking a handle, or stepping on a foot treadle (like the old fashioned sewing machines) for each impression.

For those who are interested in learning more about the art of letterpress there are many wonderful resources out there such as the community driven Briar Press

All photos courtesy: Kelly @ Paper Stories
If you have any letterpress related questions, please email me (Kelly) at stationeryguides@gmail.com.

Meet Your Guides: Paper Stories Letterpress

I will go first as we begin to introduce you to your guides. My name is Kelly and I run a little letterpress studio, Paper Stories in the Chicago area. I make all sorts of letterpress goodies from cards to rock posters to custom invitations. My role here will be to talk about trends, printing methods (specifically letterpress) and to also talk about eco-friendly printing and paper goods.

So thank you for joining us as we start to build this site. Feel free to contact us with any questions at stationeryguides@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.