Couple Stationery

November 17, 2015November 10, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

A few weeks ago when I was working on Chris and Kristi’s save the date coasters, I took the opportunity to prototype a new set of personalized stationery I’d been thinking about for a few weeks.

Perfect for a new bride and groom to write their wedding thank yous on, your friends who just moved in together, or any couple who loves putting pen to paper! Order in November to guarantee them in time for Christmas!Because they’re a two-color job, they’re only available in larger quantities than my usual monogram 8-packs, but two people will be using them, so it works out! Order them here.

New Retailer: Woods Grove

November 5, 2015October 27, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

A few weeks ago, I took the plunge and signed up for etsy wholesale. It costs a bit to get started, so I’ve been putting it off, but I’m happy to report its already paid off!

I’m so excited to welcome Woods Grove to the 622 press family! This Brooklyn boutique carries antiques and handmade goods, as well as a great selection of greeting cards and stationery. The shop is beautiful and feels just like I hope mine does someday.

Woods Grove will carry a good portion of my Holiday 2015 collection, as well as Valentine’s Day, birthday, congratulations cards and more! If you’re in the New York area, make a point to check them out!

November Card Club

November 1, 2015October 27, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Well, Halloween has come and gone so it’s officially ok for me to start posting holiday goods! It was all I could do to keep them under wraps this year. As holidays go, Halloween is one of my favorites, but business-wise, there’s just no beating Christmas!

First up, of course, is November’s card club! I got these in the mail last week, so my subscribers should have plenty of time to write family and friends a heartfelt note. I hate Black Friday traffic and the terrible qualities it brings out in my fellow humans, so I that’s the day I usually spend writing cards. What are your holiday card writing traditions?

Need to pick up some holiday cards? Find these designs and more here! Want to join the 622 press Card Club? Join here. A subscription also makes a great gift!

Custom Letterpress Projects: A Timeline

October 17, 2015October 8, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Recently, I’ve received several requests for custom projects like business cards and broadsides featuring custom designs or logos with due dates within a few days or a week. Since this is impossible for me (or any other printer without an in-house plate-maker…. and even then!), I thought I’d share a typical timeline for custom letterpress projects to help foster more understanding for the process.

DESIGN: I usually create the first round of design options within a few days of receiving the order, but depending on how specific and descriptive the project parameters are, the time required for design can vary quite a lot. It’s always better to provide too much information rather than too little!

PLATE-MAKING: Once the design is finalized, I create files for the company that makes my printing plates. Letterpress is a physical process, with ink not only being spread across the surface, but the design is actually impressed into the paper, so three-dimensional printing plates are required. The design is etched into magnesium plates (backwards, of course), which are then mounted to a specific height of wood base. Then of course they must be delivered to my little island studio, which usually takes about a week, but can take up to two. I also order any additional supplies during this period.

PRINTING: Most one-color projects can be completed in a day once they’re worked into my printing schedule. If the project has additional colors, I prefer to let the ink cure for at least one week between colors to prevent smudging. If the design is double-sided, I’d rather set aside two weeks between sides.

FINISHING: Many projects end up being trimmed by hand, which takes several hours, or even a couple days, depending on the quantity. I always print more than the number of pieces ordered, so then I spend some time choosing the very best to send to the customer.

SHIPPING: Once the project is packaged and addressed with care, the Bermuda post averages one to two weeks for delivery within the continental U.S. Shipping can be expedited, but two- to three-day shipping starts at $51 for something as small as an envelope!

All told, most completely custom projects will take a minimum of five weeks after the design is finalized and approved. I do love printing custom projects though, so please do get in touch!

A Summer’s Day

August 2, 2015July 24, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I sent August’s Card Club subscription early to make sure it left Bermuda before Cup Match week since the whole island is in vacation mode well before the actual holiday.

There was no real theme this month aside from pulling cards in my favorite late summer colors of turquoise, poppy red, oranges and gold. This lucky subscriber also received the very last “Life is a series of moments” card in stock, and the very first sparkle “congratulations” card in this color scheme. Lucky her!

As always, to get in on the action, simply shoot me an email or purchase a subscription here. The next installment will be packed up early as well, so sign up today!