The Stationers Guild

Emi Havas and Deidre Karner, the talented stationers at Paperfolio in Summit, NJ, have taken a very important step to promote their bricks-and-mortar store on the Internet:  They have claimed their business on Google.  Emi reports that “claiming my name (store) on Google was the easiest thing I have done on the computer other than turn it on.  And now we’re even going to add some photos.  It’s easy, fun and free and there is no reason not to do it immediately.”

Experienced stationers like Emi and Deidre have discovered that buyers have migrated from the Yellow Pages to online search for stationery services such as custom wedding invitations, fine business and social stationery and distinctive invitations.  Stores such as Paperfolio have a huge competitive advantage over online resellers.  Unfortunately, online buyers often cannot locate an experienced stationer in their neighborhood to discuss paper options, printing processes and to see a wide array of fine papers and designs that are simply not available on the internet.  As more and more experienced stationers take advantage of the local search capabilities provided by Google, Yahoo and MSN, discerning consumers will soon have an opportunity to reconnect with fine paper and the stunning designs that are simply not available on the internet.

This is a story worth following and I will keep track of their efforts to upgrade Paperfolio’s presence on the internet.

We recently received a 20 page brochure from Krepe-Kraft presenting “the next revolution in invitations.”  Powered by Uinvite, Krepe-Kraft describes this as “the future of traditional invitations.”   While I will leave it to the reader to explore the Uinvite website, the sales pitch is that “tradition and technology can coexist peacefully and gracefully – the elegance and beauty of the traditional paper invitation and the technology to make the whole experience for hosts and guest more convenient and enriching.”

In an era where online resellers are masquerading as fine paper companies, there is no reason why paper companies can’t pretend to be tech-savvy online retailers.  No wonder the consumer is confused and disoriented.  Krepe-Kraft’s sally into the world of high-tech seems ill-advised and certainly doesn’t augur well for the “next revolution in invitations.”  Krepe-Kraft’s “revolutionary” idea is to provide the invitation packaging of a color-coordinated Uinvite CD which houses all kinds of user-friendly goodies for the recipient.  In effect, the invitation is simply the packaging for the CD.  My question:  Why bother?

If this is the future of invitations, it certainly won’t have a long life.  I don’t mean to throw cold water on Krepe-Kraft’s or Uline’s plans, but distributed CDs are sooooo yesterday that they are probably next in line for extinction after the Dodo bird.  Even people my age (and I’m not a Spring chicken) download music, video, files and software to their iPod, Blackberry, Smart Phone or other similar devices.  Gosh, they don’t even hand out CDs at tech conferences anymore.  If I can be brutally honest, this is a corporate planning exercise gone awry.

If you are not familiar with Luscious Verde’s insanely creative invitations then we strongly recommend that you locate a Guild member store in your neighborhood that carries this fine paper line and drop in for a looksee.  While Chris and Wendy describe themselves as “ex-hippie overachievers,” these talented designers take customization to an exciting new dimension.   While surprised to find any ex-hippies living in Cleveland – let alone working – as stationers we are thrilled that they have applied their immense talent and imagination to crafting custom invitations.

Now through the end of April, receive free thank you notes on any custom invitation order of over $1,000.  This is a sensational opportunity to design the wedding invitation, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or baby announcement of your dreams using Luscious Verde’s unique color templates, ribbon and envelope samples.  Their die-cut motifs and stunning technique of layering creates invitation masterpieces using more color combinations than Joseph’s coat of many colors.  

Luscious Verde Baby Announcement

If you are looking for an exceptional invitation or announcement with a cutting-edge design and infinite color combinations, Luscious Verde should be high on your priority list.