Welcome to TPC’s third installment of the National Stationery Show’s Insider Guide. In the spotlight today: Smudge Ink! This Boston house of letterpress and stationery has a major announcement, co-founder Kate Saliba told me.
“We’ve been in transition, as Deb [Bastien] and I sold Smudge Ink. Yes, big news! After much consideration, we decided it was time for us both to start new chapters. It’s bittersweet: We will miss our team and this industry but we are excited for the adventures to come. Deb will stay with the business for a few months to help with the transition, and I began a new job in mid-March. April May, our old studio manager, is the new owner. She’s been running her own stationery business for a few years now, so she has plenty of industry experience. I know she will do well, and we are excited for her.”
Congratulations, April! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the great design Smudge Ink will be showing next month in Booth 2635. I remember those letterpressed cocktail ladies from LOUIE judging, and they are so colorfully divine in person. And how fun is their illustrated masculine range?
I can see why — that Chill Pill design needs to be a print (on my wall)!
Debuting at NSS are gift tags, printed on a luxurious, thick paper, die-cut with some foil-stamped. I like the alternating ribbon and baker’s twine. E. Frances also recently debuted new sizes of notepads: a giant 11″x11″ square plus a sweet new 4″x5″ mini notepad. So pretty and chunky!
Their booth design — which is always stellar — will remain a surprise until show doors open May 15, but here’s a peek at their new stamps (love the emojis!) plus lots of risograph printing. Talk about touchable texture, I can’t wait to see those vibrant colors in person.
Speaking of which, if you haven’t made your NSS plans yet, the time is now. Register to attend here and apply to exhibit here!