The Stationers Guild

As a stationer, I am privileged to meet with many creative designers, fine printing companies and, most importantly, fellow stationers who share my passion for fine papers and beautiful designs.    For me, paper has never lost its relevancy and I still get goose-pimples when I visit the Morgan Library in NYC to see the stunning illustrated manuscripts from the Medieval age or royal crests engraved on handmade cotton paper.    While some will argue that digital media has made fine paper printing largely obsolete, I suspect that the tangible and unique quality of a paper wedding invitation is far more personally relevant than a template invitation from Facebook.   

Owner and Creative Director Sugandha Rosenhaft of Arabella Papers continues to raise the bar in the invitation industry for her dazzling colors and rich designs since her debut in 2007.   If you haven’t had a chance to see Arabella Papers, schedule your appointment now with a stationer in your neighborhood.

Who is Arabella Papers?

Atlanta based Arabella Papers made its debut in the American stationery industry in the winter of 2007.   Their custom holiday line quickly made its mark as a source for top-quality, sophisticated cards and invitations.  With elaborate patterning, vibrant imported papers and their trademark Bellpress™ print process, stationers nationwide begged the question, “When can you do wedding?” Six fine custom stationery albums later, Arabella Papers continues to push boundaries with exciting, new concepts for wedding and bar/bat mitzvah.

Arabella’s signature Bellpress™ printing, is a hand-printed process that uses soft, synthetic dies to layer inks for a raised affect, without bruising the paper. Unlike other raised print processes on the market, this trademarked printing method allows for greater design flexibility by allowing two-sided printing, ink layering, multiple colors, and has proven to be a favorite among fine stationers. Their signature “tessuto” (tone on tone) fabric-like patterning, burnished golds and metallic inks, elaborate folders and elegant but bold global designs are unlike any other product on the market.  The invitations themselves are all hand-cut and hand-assembled, the envelopes hand-converted and the papers hand-dyed. Each order is meticulously created to be the perfect introduction for the client’s event and the same detail and craftsmanship that goes into creating a custom couture gown is the approach that Arabella Papers takes for every invitation. Arabella’s turn-around time is only 2-4 weeks from proof approval, which is astonishing considering the precision and care that goes into every hand-made custom creation.

 In the Fall of 2010, Arabella launched into the mid-range stationery market with their first offering in the affordable luxury collection, Bella Weddings. “We had to get creative and change with the economy.” Owner and Creative Director Sugandha Rosenhaft explains, “There was an incredible demand from clients who loved the look of our sophisticated luxury invitations but couldn’t necessarily afford the lavish pieces. Every bride deserves luxury, and we set out to do just that.” Bella Weddings offers the same quality and craftsmanship that sets Arabella apart, but showcases more exclusively layered cards and simple folders. Also, Arabella established base pricing to let brides go as simple or as custom as they like, allowing clients to customize according to their need and save on cost.

 Arabella Papers is featured regularly in top bridal magazines and has an impressive portfolio of well-known clientele such as Trump Towers in New York City, actress Julie Andrews, makeup superstore Sephora, and the Prime Minister of Belize, to name a few. But regardless of whomever the client might be, customer service and complete client satisfaction continues to be of top priority at Arabella. Sugandha sums up the Arabella Papers approach to customer satisfaction like this: “I never want someone to feel that they are talking to just an answering service or they are another number in the day. Our environment is that of a family and all of us strive to deliver the same for our clients.”

Arabella’s newest launch is Custom Wedding: Volume II, the second album in their sophisticated luxury wedding collection.  It showcases 13 complete design suites with each displaying a full range of wedding stationery: save the date sets, invitation sets with inserts and response cards, as well as full reception accessories such as menus, programs, place cards, and table numbers.  Arabella is also launching the second album in its affordable luxury collection, Bella Classic Weddings, in April of 2011.  A new Bar/Bat Mitzvah album is also planned for late 2011, a relief to the diligent retailers who have been on the waiting list for that album for nearly a year and a half.  With all of the exciting changes and growth happening for Arabella Papers and its dedicated group of employees and clients, Sugandha says, “Sometimes, juggling being a business owner, a designer, mother of a 13 month old and a wife can become overwhelming, but I can truly say that I am where I dreamed I would be in life.”

 Arabella’s custom lines are available in fine stationery stores all over the US, such as Thérèse Saint Clair in Greenwich, Hyegraph in San Francisco, Francis-Orr in Corona Del Mar, Tabula Rasa in Salt Lake City, and Arabesque in Naples to name a few. Please visit www.arabellapapers.com for a complete list of retailers and be sure to visit them at booth 1237 at NSS in May!

Richard W. May
Founding Member Stationers Guild

I have just been advised that Real Cards Studio will be releasing updates of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah Collection at the end of this month.

Real Cards’  new designs feature a large circle letterpress printed in 3 colors with a fun new type treatment, a new pocket folder with space for two invitations –  perfect for the twins celebrations, a pretty new square pocket folder in a larger size, a delectable new paper and foil and emboss combo that looks almost edible, an updated pocket folder with an incredibly cool custom illustrated portrait of the mitzvah-ee, and for the fashionista: our first pattern-printed pocket folder with matching diecut envelope that is to-die-for! 

This Seattle-based company is now run by lead designer Heather van Breda and features styles that dazzle and printed on quality paper that will make your Bar & Bat Mitzvah guest sit up and take notice.

Thérèse Saint Clair is delighted to carry Real Card Studio’s delightful and trendy invitations.

Louella Press is known for its stunning engraved invitations.    Featured regularly in leading wedding and fashion publications, the talented designers of Louella Press set a high standard for engraved wedding invitations and Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations.   Now through the 13th of October, you can save 15% on all engraved custom invitations printed by Louella.

Louella Press Fall 2009 Engraved Invitation Promotion

If you have been sitting on the fence trying to decide how much you can afford to spend for that special wedding invitation or Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation for your son or daughter, Louella has just made that decision that much easier.  Louella Press is clearly a leader in custom invitation design and you now have an affordable option to get the “top of the line” for engraved custom invitations.

Call now to schedule your appointment with a Guild Member store that carries Louella Press.

At the National Stationery Show in May, I had the opportunity to chat with Sugandha  Rosenhaft, the President and Creative Director for Arabella Papers.  The occasion of the meeting was to introduce Arabella’s new Custom Bar and Bat Mitzvah Invitation Album, scheduled to be released later in the summer.

Sugandha Rosenhaft of Arabella Papers

Sugandha, shown above with sample Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations in the background, was justifiably excited about these substantial and attractively designed invitations.  For a stationer, there are few events more rewarding than working with a family to craft an invitation for their daughter’s or son’s Mitzvah.  The paper stock is substantial - often layered in an array of bold colors - and each invitation incorporates motifs, monograms or font styles that complement the color scheme of the invitation.

Sample Arabella Bat Mitzvah with Die-cut Flower

Arabella Papers, with its patented Bellpress printing method, truly outdid themselves with this stunning new album that we recevied last week.   I was most impressed with the contemporary and sharp new invitation designs as well as the large array of customization options. 

Sample Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations from Arabella Papers

While some of the customization features may seem overwhelming, Arabella Papers has greatly simplified the process with a clear and articulate explanation at the beginning of the Custom Bar and Bat Mitzvah album.  For instance, they show 6 basic invitation paper styles – including one circular invitation - that range in price from $5 to $16 (including envelope).   To the basic paper style can be added “upgrades,” such as a wallpapered back to the invitation, or “additions,” that range from liners to direction cards.  For those working on a budget (and who isn’t these days), this upfront explanation saves much time and anguish in sorting through the cost of specific customization options.

While Arabella Papers is rather new, they have left a strong imprint on the industry with their fresh new designs, bellpress printing process and a very responsive staff from their Atlanta facility.  If you are not familiar with Arabella Papers, I strongly suggest that you schedule an appointment with a Guild Member stationer that carries Arabella Papers. 

Richard W. May
Therese Saint Clair

With some of the most talented designers in the country, Louella Press has been breath of fresh air in the stationery industry.   Using the ancient and noble printing process of engraving,  Louella Press creates luscious engraved invitations for weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs and milestone events.  Words are not enough to describe their stunning custom invitation designs which are rich color, texture and boldly printed using engraving.

Engraved Invitation by Louella Press

Now through June 30, the folks at Louella Press are offering to engrave the outer envelopes free of charge with one ink color (or, get 2-color envelopes for the 1-color price).  This is an exceptional offer for those looking for an engraved custom invitation, but trying to keep the budget in line.  Schedule an appointment with a Guild member store in your neighborhood who carries Louella Press to take advantage of this great promotion.

Louella Press Custom Invitation

Important events should be celebrated in style.  Doing so with a custom invitation from Louella Press could be the start of something big.

Arabella Papers is one of the new and exciting fine paper designers and printers of custom invitations to hit the industry in recent years.  With its unique bellpress printing process, Arabella simulates engraving without the bruising on the back.

Arabella Peony Invitation

Now through April 30, 2009, Arabella is offering $300 off any RSVP set which accompanies an Arabella invitation order of $850 or more.  This is an exceptional promotion for buyers looking for a special wedding invitation, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation or a special birthday or anniversary invitation.

Arabella is sold through a rather ristricted group of stationers.  Consult the Arabella website for a list of their dealers in your neighborhood.

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.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations score a 10 in terms of originality, color and unique design.  For 32 years, Therese Saint Clair has been helping families create custom Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations that are truly memorable.  Sheila May, the owner of Saint Clair, says “designing a Mitzvah invitation is truly a family affair with everyone pitching in with his or her opinion.  No two invitations are alike.  The spontaneity and creativity is something that every stationer relishes since you know you are creating a work of art.”

While several fine paper companies such as Encore, Luscious Verde and Checkerboard have albums dedicated exclusively to Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation designs, most stationers will use samples of social invitations, wedding albums and other fine paper sources to create a truly custom invitation.  Rich colors, layering, and the use of vellum and ribbon often come into play when designing the invitation.  “Nevertheless, tastes are so varied,” says Sheila, “that you never know where you are going to end up.  I tend to look at each invitation as a blank canvass with my client supplying the paint and design.  My job is to make sure that they have all of the artistic tools at their disposal.”

While Crane and William Arthur have often proved popular for classical Bar Mitzvah invitations, these two companies have great customization capabilites to create truly unique invitations.   If you are planning a Mitzvah for your son or daughter, we strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment with a Guild stationer in your neighborhood.  These stationers have helped hundreds of families create truly memorable invitations.