Even if you know very little about paper (perish the thought!), Paper Mirchi offerings immediately stand out. Before I spied the exquisite wares from this London house of paper, I spied the huge crowd around their Shoppe Object booth.
Founder & Director Rani Moochhala grew up in India — where small, family-run units generate the tree-free range on 100% recycled cotton rag paper using age-old techniques that have been passed down for countless generations. The result is both timeless and fresh (to say nothing of super-tactile), so I was thrilled when Rani took my questions.
SS: It is very difficult to not fall in love with all things Paper Mirchi! You have succeeded in transplanting the craftsmanship and heritage of Indian papermaking into gorgeous 21st century form. How do you define the qualities Paper Mirchi brings to the traditional table? How do you seek to update classics for modern eyes?
RM: Paper Mirchi has always been about respecting traditional craftsmanship while giving it a contemporary voice. I grew up in India and have always been fascinated by its incredible color, pattern, textiles and craft traditions. We wanted to bring some of that richness into modern stationery and gifting, without losing the soul of the craft. We use beautiful, traditional techniques such as block printing and hand marbling, but play with color, scale and design to make them feel fresh and modern.
SS: Do you have a current favorite? Why?
RM: A standout favourite of ours is the Marigold design in blush and bluestone colour ways. We love the combination of traditional block printing with the use of a more pastel colour palette and we love how much our customers love it!
SS: What is your current bestseller? Why do you think they led/lead the pack?
RM: In terms of products our gift bags are always bestsellers and in terms of design, the marigold and trellis designs in blue stone, blush and indigo colour ways. We think they offer the customer something very different to what else they can get on the high street and with sustainability also being at the heart of what we do, the fact that they are tree free and made from 100% recycled cotton rag really resonates with our customers.
SS: You are newer to the states — what is getting the biggest response stateside? Does it differ than your British bestsellers?
RM: The response in the US is fantastic, and we have seen a real appreciation for the colours, designs and the story behind handmade products. There are many similarities with our UK customers, although we’re learning a lot about the differences in each market. A standout product this year were the new wastepaper baskets and tissue boxes which we introduced in January and had an immediate great response from the US market.
SS: I know you have done Shoppe Object. How do you think American specialty retail (as well as the needs of retailers) differs from that in the UK?
RM: We did Shoppe Object for the first time this year and it was a great experience. American retailers have been incredibly supportive to Paper Mirchi and enthusiastic about the story and craftsmanship. The practical needs differ slightly between the markets and in regard to design, the US seems to definitely lean towards the more traditional patterns and colour palettes.
SS: Please talk to me about your artist collaborations! How many have you done, can you share a bit about bringing that with Emma Laurence to life?
RM: We love collaborations because they bring a fresh creative perspective to Paper Mirchi. The collaborations work perfectly when there is a very natural meeting of 2 creative worlds. Our work with Emma Lawrence was very special, pairing her beautiful botanical illustrations with our traditional printing technique. For 2027, we have another collaboration launching which we are also very excited about, so watch this space!
SS: How best can interested makers reach out to you to collaborate?
RM: The best way is to email sales@papermirchi.co.uk with an introduction, examples of your work and a link to your portfolio. We always love discovering new artists.
SS: Is there anything else you would like to share with paper nerds?
RM: In such a digital world, there is something incredibly special about the handmade nature of our products and the use of traditional craftsmanship to achieve beautiful products. To receive something handwritten, beautifully wrapped or thoughtfully made is very special, and that is at the heart of what Paper Mirchi does.
Thank you so much Rani for taking my questions and providing such a vibrant glimpse into your block-printed, botanical world! While Paper Mirchi was a 2026 Louie Award finalist in the Blank Card category for the sensational scalloped card I’m sharing below, this range is still hard to find in the states.
So, if you are a nerd in the trade, Paper Mirchi’s Faire Top Shop is open for business 24/7; PLEASE use their direct link. And, if you are a paper nerd in the wild, tell your favorite shop to introduce this range already!
Finally, Volume III of Stationery Trends’ The Paper Society (TPS) has landed! Huge thanks to our talented trifecta of participating brands: Fun Folks, James Point and Biely & Shoaf — whom many of you know already generously sponsors Sarah’s Card Wall. Happy unboxing, everyone — and I’m so pleased to report participants are already receiving orders! If you are not one of our TPS ambassadors, check out our video below, and we at ST also generated this micro-magazine. Don’t be surprised if you see our ambassadors tagging their analog faves on Instagram — a poor comparison to IRL, so ask your favorite store to stock these finds too!
