National Stationery Show Part I:Design

I was fortunate enough to attend Tuesday of the National Stationery Show at the Javits Center in NYC. If you didn’t happen to see recaps or posts about it anywhere else in the blog-o-sphere, it’s where hundreds of vendors from around the country come and display their products/work for people in the industry–buyers, reps, etc.

There were pretty envelope liners, bright and bold invitation suites or suites that were subtle and neutral, and certainly no shortage of chevrons and letterpress! My favorite part of the day was getting to pick the brains of designers about any trends (sidenote: I hate that word) in wedding stationery. I’m going to split my wrap-up into 2 parts: the design (what’s actually on the invite) and the construction (paper, assembly, details).

First up, I want to take a look at 4 trends on the design side that stood out to me at the show.

1&2. Type-Driven & Overprinting Invites
LOVE these. I’m a type nerd and am in love with any invites that focus on beautiful type. Overprinting is where two inks are printed on top of each other. Aside from creating a beautiful effect, (pardon the sappiness here) it’s so symbolic, don’t ya think? Two characters joining and creating a whole new hue…ahh, symbolism. Anyway, whether it’s full of flourishes or simple and linear, couples who choose invitations that are type-driven usually have a keen design eye and want to use type as a graphic element, not just images. I am REALLY excited about these two elements!

Fig2-Overprinting-Wedding-Invitation
{Fig. 2}

2-elum-type-confidential-invitation
{elum}

3. Calligraphy
I’m not sure calligraphy was ever not in style, but there’s no denying that it is everywhere now! My favorite part is the variety of styles out there now, from formal copperplate to more whimsical styles like what Mr. Boddington’s Studio uses for their invitations.

2-Burnabee-Boddingtons-Studio-Calligraphy
{Mr. Boddington’s Studio}

Grapevine-SweetScript
{Grapevine Paperie}

4. Blind debossing
Although it might be on the side of construction since it’s in how the actual pieces are printed, I’m going to lump this one in with design. Blind debossing is where the letterpress is run without any ink, leaving behind an imprint but no actual inked print with it. The result is a very subtle design.

DSC_0121

DSC_0142
{Wiley Valentine}

2-Smock-Blind-Letterpress
{Smock}

Are there any other design trends that you’re noticing and love? Keep an eye out later today for NSS Part II!