<p>I can&#8217;t continue my <a href="http://www.nationalstationeryshow.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Stationery Show</a> (NSS) coverage without tipping my hat to the 32 members of the #NSSClassof70 &#8230; it is graduation season, after all!</p>
<p>The project was generously sponsored &; spearheaded by <a href="http://www.legionpaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Legion Paper</a> — who donated all the paper for the project — in conjunction with NSS, The Paper Chronicles, <a href="http://www.stationerytrends.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stationery Trends</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parseandparcel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parse &; Parcel</a> — whom we have to thank for all these gorgeous images that follow.</p>
<p>The project started several months back with an invitation for confirmed exhibitors to submit a trading card based on 70s design. Little did I realize that the results would be a Project Runway for our industry, with designers taking different elements from the decade and adapting them to their own vibe. While there is a fun (and actually very current) 70s gloss to the project, the results mirror both current design trends and printing techniques. Each is a little piece of art &#8230; and, since the 70th edition of NSS has come and gone, is now a collector&#8217;s item!</p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-22874" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-22874 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="22874" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-10015821 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-favorites tag-noted-2 tag-2021-co tag-barque tag-design tag-greeting-cards tag-indigo-ink tag-jennifer-love-hewitt tag-letterpress tag-sarah-schwartz tag-sky-of-blue-press-papery tag-stationery tag-stationery-blog tag-stationery-design tag-stationery-designer tag-sugar-paper tag-thank-you-stationery tag-the-london-studio tag-the-paper-fold-podcast" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/paper-is-very-personal/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=120%2C120&;ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=275%2C275&;ssl=1 275w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=372%2C372&;ssl=1 372w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=567%2C567&;ssl=1 567w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=882%2C882&;ssl=1 882w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6227.jpeg?zoom=2&;resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/favorites/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Favorites</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/paper-is-very-personal/">Paper Is (Very) Personal</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2024-06-13T19:25:25+00:00">June 13, 2024</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="10015821"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">0</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>
<p>First-time exhibitor <a href="https://noat.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Noat</a> created this edge-painted, silver-foiled, mini-masterpiece on ultra-thick Museum board. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14947" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/34-copy.jpg" alt="34 copy" width="800" height="800" />Meanwhile, Page Stationery caught a bad case of Foil Fever! <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14948" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/40-copy.jpg" alt="40 copy" width="800" height="800" /><a href="http://smudgeink.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smudge Ink</a> took an interactive approach with a letterpressed Name that Do directive. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14949" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/56-copy.jpg" alt="56 copy" width="800" height="800" /><a href="http://www.colorboxletterpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Colorbox Design &; Letterpress</a> letterpressed this freewheeling floral in two neon colors on Strathmore&#8217;s pure cotton chino. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14951" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Color-Box-copy.png" alt="Color Box copy" width="800" height="800" /><a href="https://www.dapperink.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dapper Ink</a> took a cue from baseball trading cards for this posh duplexed design. The green Colorplan paper is the exact shade of a baseball diamond!<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14952" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Dapper-Ink-2-copy.png" alt="Dapper Ink 2 copy" width="800" height="800" /> <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14954" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Dapper-Ink-copy.jpg" alt="Dapper Ink copy" width="800" height="800" /><a href="http://www.417press.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">417 Press&#8217;</a> card has the 70s color palette and design vibe down, letterpressed on Arturo paper. One of Legion&#8217;s goals with the project was to encourage designers to try out different papers — and this centuries-old paper is an excellent luxe option for &#8216;pressers!<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14955" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/File-Apr-21-8-47-13-PM-copy.jpg" alt="File Apr 21, 8 47 13 PM copy" width="800" height="800" />Golden Fox Goods used its animal namesake Goldie as the centerpiece of its colorful digitally printed design.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14956" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Golden-Fox-3-copy.jpg" alt="Golden Fox 3 copy" width="800" height="800" />First-time exhibitor<a href="http://www.goodjujuink.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Good Juju Ink</a> incorporated both its love of elephants, baseball and San Francisco into its adorable design, with gold foil on the front and red on the back. Business in the front, party on the back!<br />
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14957" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Good-Juju-Ink-copy.jpg" alt="Good Juju Ink copy" width="800" height="800" />I love the uneven plaid created by the neon pink and yellow lines of this design from <a href="http://hautepapier.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Haute Papier</a>. Parse &; Parcel&#8217;s Jill loved how it arrived at her studio — I&#8217;m so glad she captured the cards&#8217; packaging.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14958" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Haute-Papier-copy.jpg" alt="Haute Papier copy" width="800" height="800" /><a href="http://www.hesterandcook.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hester &; Cook&#8217;</a>s screen-printed study in minimalism was one of three designs they submitted. We had a hard time picking this one, as they were all divine!<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14959" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Hester-and-Cook-copy.jpg" alt="Hester and Cook copy" width="800" height="800" />First-time exhibitor <a href="http://ilootpaperie.patternbyetsy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ilootpaperie</a> profiled Pierre, its namesake bandit — who has stolen millions of hearts with his expert lightfooted wordplay — on its mirrored design. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14960" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/I-loot-Paperie-copy.jpg" alt="I loot Paperie copy" width="800" height="800" />Just in time for summer, this cool design from first-time exhibitor <a href="http://www.inklingspaperie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Inklings Paperie</a> — whose booth was mobbed each time I strolled by — has its booth number blind printed at the bottom, a clever touch from a brilliant range!<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14961" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Inklings-2-copy.jpg" alt="Inklings 2 copy" width="800" height="803" />I find <a href="http://www.mudsplashstudios.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mudsplash Studios&#8217;</a> suspender-wearing, roller-skating pig irresistible. On the front of the card (where he is depicted in sunglasses), his face is a series of dots, evoking true &#8217;70s comic book style.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14962" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Mudsplash-studios-copy.jpg" alt="Mudsplash studios copy" width="800" height="800" />PaperFreckles contributed this jive turkey design — love the lettering and sassy stripes on front!<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14965" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Paper-Freckles-copy.jpg" alt="Paper Freckles copy" width="800" height="737" />Paula &; Waffle used a great airmail-inspired border for its sweet card. Loved the watermelon paper in which it arrived!<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14966" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Paula-and-Waffle-copy.jpg" alt="Paula and Waffle copy" width="800" height="800" />Scotch &; Cream&#8217;s is a liquor cabinet supreme — so cool! And right in keeping with the vibe of this swinging line.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14967" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Scotch-and-Cream-copy.png" alt="Scotch and Cream copy" width="800" height="800" /><a href="https://smartypantspaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smarty Pants Paper Co.</a> used ultra-colorful risograph printing for its Southern-kissed &#8220;Tease it to Jesus&#8221; design. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14968" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Smarty-Pants-Paper-copy.jpg" alt="Smarty Pants Paper copy" width="800" height="800" />And Steam Whistle Letterpress contributed this handy letterpress infographic — making me nostalgic for the filmstrips of my school years. I can almost here the &#8220;beep&#8221; which prompted teachers to go to the next slide.<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14969" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Steam-Whitsle-Letterpress-copy.png" alt="Steam Whitsle Letterpress copy" width="800" height="800" />Everyone sent their designs to Parse &; Parcel&#8217;s office, where they were painstakingly arranged in piles by staffers in early May. I paid a visit that day, and it was fascinating to see everything start to come together! Meanwhile Jill is posting <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parseandparcel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">her take on the project</a> on Parse &; Parcel blog today — don&#8217;t miss it!<br />
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14963" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Noat-stacks-of-cards-copy.jpg" alt="Noat - stacks of cards copy" width="800" height="800" />Everything was tucked into this magnificent gold-foiled box, created by <a href="http://www.reynpaperco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reyn Paper Co.</a><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15089" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/use_me_2.jpg" alt="use_me_2" width="800" height="643" />Most rewarding to me was seeing NSS attendees walking the show specifically to collect their set. You can see both the front and back of the glittered postcard created by Underwood Letterpress listing everyone&#8217;s booths in Margaret&#8217;s hands — and that&#8217;s Cat Seto in her booth in the background!<br />
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15082" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/outofhand-copy-2.jpg" alt="outofhand copy 2" width="800" height="1067" />Thank you so, so much to everyone who participated in the project, and of course all its sponsors. I am already thinking of next year&#8217;s, which I hope to make equally fabulous! The design challenge is open to all confirmed NSS exhibitors, more details to come. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14950" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Collection-flat-lay-copy.png" alt="Collection - flat lay copy" width="800" height="640" /></p>