The Stationers Guild

I have just returned from the National Stationery Show (“NSS”) and continue to be inspired by the resiliency of the many fine designers and printers in the industry and the brick and mortar dealers who share these beautiful products with their clients.

While the stationery show has been shrinking in recent years, I do not think it was appreciably smaller than last year. Hopefully, this is a good sign for the industry. Personally, I find the NSS far more manageable since many of the weaker players have been weeded out.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing some of my favorite “finds” in the hope that those who couldn’t attend the show in NYC may draw some inspiration. For those in a buying mode, I would certainly recommend the buying guide that Brian Lawrence (formerly Encore Studios) and Gayle Driggers (formerly with Crane)  have put together with their great personal insights.

While many may have thought that paper social invitations have gone the way of the dinosaur, Kramer Drive is proving them wrong. KD is leading with delightful designs, great service quality and a “can do” attitude that is rare in the industry. At the show, KD announced that they were teaming up with famed event planner Shawn Rabideau to create some “grown up” designs that have a serious WOW factor.

Letterpress remains hot – perhaps too hot as the supply appears to be outstripping design and print quality. The up-and-coming Haute Papier continues to create affordable letterpress stationery – now with great envelope liners – and we were thrilled to see their colorful new personalized napkins. Again, these are very nice people to work with who go the extra mile to deliver what they promise.

It was a pleasure to catch up with Paul Wainman (formerly of William Arthur) who now serves as an advisor to Kleinfeld Paper who is launching their exclusive line of Designer Wedding Stationery.   Kleinfeld Paper is in partnership with Kleinfeld Bridal, which is well known for its renowned wedding gown salon located in Manhattan, New York.

Got to run, but will be back later with a more detailed look at some of my favorites.

Richard W. May