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letterpress

How To Pick The Perfect Birthday Card

5.14.2018


It’s a universal truth that everyone has a birthday. It’s also a universal truth that picking the right card can be tricky. We’ve all been there. It’s 9pm on a week night and we’re in the drugstore trawling the Greeting Card aisle, desperately searching for a last minute birthday card for our sister. Do we buy the funny one with the cat getting a manicure? Or the serious one that declares, On Your Birthday With Love? This is where we normally wander over to the freezer aisle and snag a pint of dulce de leche—we can make a decision see—while wondering if Sis really cares about whether or not she receives a card. In our hearts we know she does, but it’s late and we have ice cream, and choosing the right card suddenly seems like too much responsibility for one person to bear.

At Elūm we understand BCIS (Birthday Card Indecision Syndrome)—heck that’s one of the reasons we started our company—which is why we’ve collected 4 fierce tips for picking the perfect birthday card.

1. Consider the tone of your relationship with the birthday gal or guy and match it to the tone of your card. If it’s a work-related acquaintance, always pick a card you’d be happy to show to your boss. Keep it primetime and office whimsical. If the recipient is an older relative who you have great affection and respect for, go with a classic. You can’t go wrong with a timeless floral or a vintage all-rounder. If it’s your bestie, go to town and celebrate her (or his) fab self. This is the person who’s seen you eat all the brownies, down two margaritas back-to-back, and finish with the ugly cry. Show them you adore and cherish them in the most shout it from the rooftop way.

If you’re sending a birthday card to a parent, we have it on good authority that any card with the word Mom or Dad on it will send them dizzy with delight to their happy place. Turns out parents are surprisingly easy to please with cards. We’re still working on the complex algorithm of birthday greetings for siblings, but we’re predicting a sweetly-fun statement of fact will always carry the day!

2. A less-than-ideal card is better than no card at all. Giving a birthday card is about recognizing and acknowledging the value of its recipient in your life. Think about it: If you received a cheesy, run-of-the-mill card but when you opened it found a touching handwritten note inside, how would you feel? Pretty cherished, right? So don’t sweat it. If you purchased the cat getting a manicure card for your sister but then decide you’d really like to say something heartfelt instead, say it! Right there inside the cat card. Sis, I love you more than cats having manicures. You are the most constant and remarkable force in my life. Katy. XOX

3. Stock up! We have umbrellas for when it rains, Vitamin C pouches for potential sniffles, and entire quadrants of our wardrobes devoted to the little black dress. Why? Because we predict we will need them in the future. According to statistics the average person sends 11 greeting cards a year. We know birthdays are on the horizon so why not plan for them? Think of birthday cards like panty hose or ramen noodle: it’s always good to have a couple extra in stock. So next time you purchase a birthday card take a few minutes longer to select some sidekicks as well.

4. When all else fails and you’re rendered immobile by the dreaded Birthday Card Indecision Syndrome, unable to decide what type of card to send to your preschooler’s teacher/your personal trainer/your brand-spanking-new boyfriend have a fallback position. Bypass the humor section, the cutesy animal section, and the heart-on-your-sleeve section and make a beeline for classic minimalism. A simple Happy Birthday with zero graphics on the front is as blank a canvas as a birthday card gets. Understated elegance never goes out of style or season and is always perfectly appropriate. Keep it neutral with a simple signature, warm it up with a handwritten message from your heart, or embellish it with hand-drawn flowers and stars. Make it your own.

Never forget that when you send a birthday card you create and store a little magic. We call it card-fairy magic here at Elūm. It’s released the moment your envelope is opened by someone you care about or love.

What tips do you have for picking the perfect birthday card? We’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below.

CLICK TO SHOP ALL OF OUR LETTERPRESS BIRTHDAY CARDS

6 Must-Haves For Your Summer Stationery Travel Kit

7.18.2017

Here at Elum we know summer is all about being on the go. You’ve got to make the most of the few fleeting months of good weather, right? Whether you’re at a BBQ, sipping a poolside drink or jet setting around the world, the fast pace of summer can be a lot to keep up with. That’s why we’ve curated a stationery travel kit—to make sure you never miss a beat all summer long. Stay organized, capture your brilliant thoughts and never forget a birthday, wedding or thank you along the way.

Here’s what we’ll have packed in our stationery travel kit this summer.

1.) JOURNAL

Elum Monstera Leaves Spiral Journal | Summer Stationery Travel Kit

There’s a better way to capture your memories than with a selfie stick (seriously, put it down). Take a little time each day to recap your summer adventures in a journal. It’s a great way to unwind at the end of a fun-filled day or pass the time while you’re catching some poolside sun. If you’re having trouble choosing just one method of keeping memories, a travel journal can also double as a sketch book, a scrapbook, a place to house a collection like pressed flowers or to write down the recipes for all your favorite summer cocktails.

 

2.) WASHI TAPE

Elum Flamenco Flamingo Washi Tape Set | Summer Stationery Travel Kit

Washi tape is the perfect complement to your travel journal. It can attach maps, ticket stubs or Polaroids to accompany your brilliant thoughts. It’s also great for gifting. Use it to attach gift tag, dress up plain wrapping paper or as a colorful replacement to ribbon on gift wrap. It’s the perfect way to dress up a card’s envelope. You can even use it to make an easy DIY book mark, personalize your phone cord (so none of your friends or family accidentally walk away with it) or use it for party decorations.

 

3.) LIST PADS

Elum Lightbulb Magnetic List Pad | Summer Stationery Travel Kit

Summer always seems to fly by so it’s easy to see how things fall through the cracks. Stay uber organized all summer long with a handy list pad. Make a grocery list for your upcoming party and create a checklist for your suitcase so you don’t leave your toothbrush behind (again). It’s also really convenient if you need to leave instructions for your dog sitter, a friendly note to someone parked poorly at a festival (I mean, come on! Finding parking is hard enough and now you’re going to take up TWO spaces?) or maybe even to leave your number for that cute bartender, hey you never know!

 

4.) MINI NOTES

Elum Je T'aime Letterpress Mini Notes

Be ready for whatever occasions summer has in store with a set of assorted mini notes. They may be small but they’ll leave a big impression. Say thanks to the host of a BBQ, leave one for a friend who needs some motivation and have a back up plan for forgetting your Aunt Lisa’s birthday. These little letterpress dreamboats are pint-sized and perfectly portable.

 

5.) BOXED NOTES

Elum 'Ello Letterpress Box Notes

Rediscover the art of the hand-written note. A more meaningful way of staying in touch than sending a Facebook message. The recipient is sure to get the warm-and-fuzzies when they realize you took the time to pen a hand-written letter. You can start correspondence with a new pen pal and look forward to getting something other than bills in your mailbox. They’re also a luxe alternative to a post card on your travels.

 

6.) PEN OR PENCIL

Elum Summer of Stationery Jet Setter Collection

Maybe the most important part of our stationery travel kit is a dependable writing apparatus. Without a pen or pencil you won’t be able to write down your brilliant thoughts, sign your name on a greeting cards or compose a hand-written message.

Want to win one of our Summer of Stationery Travel Kits? Head to Elum’s Instagram and keep an eye out for details.

Is there anything else you think would be super useful in a stationery travel kit? Tell us about it in the comments below!

 

YAY! Elum Won in 5 Categories at the 2017 Louie Awards

5.30.2017

It’s always an honor to be recognized by the Greeting Card Association for our letterpress cards but we’re over the moon about winning in 5 categories at the 2017 Louie Awards. We couldn’t be there in person to accept the awards but the talented team at Elum took time to pose with their winning card designs and explain a little about their inspiration.

Ali Kurzeja: Potted Plants 

2017 Louie Award Winners : Ali K

Winner: Potted Plants  |  Category: Friendship / Encouragement > General > Above $4.00

“My design was inspired by visits to my best friend’s home. She houses a collection of plants that create a cozy and inviting ambiance. Whenever I see a row of potted plants I think of her and our times together laughing on the couch surrounded by her indoor garden.”

We love this sweet design and color way. The sentiment is so versatile; perfect for a birthday, Valentine’s Day or just to tell a friend they’ve been on your mind.

Shannon Lamb: Cutest Couple & Sports Car

2017 Louie Award Winners : Shannon Lamb

Winner: Cutest Couple  |  Category: Congratulations/Special Occasion > Above $4.00

“This card is a youthful and modern take on an engagement or wedding card, designed with strategic foil stamping to make the marquee lights shimmer. I wanted to create an enthusiastic card because I’m an equally enthusiastic wedding-goer.”

Winner: Sports Car |  Category: Father’s Day > Above $4.00

“Sometimes a man in a car full of kids sports equipment is way sexier than a man in a Ferarri. For all the men driving from soccer game to soccer game with a car full of sports equipment who traded in their Mustang for a Station Wagon; we love you.” This card was designed for Marcel Schurman, sold exclusively in Papyrus Stores. 

We’re obsessed with Shannon’s adorable, graphic illustration style and witty copywriting.

Samantha Kurtz : Fancy Pair

2017 Louie Award Winners : Samantha Kurtz

Winner: Fancy Pair  |  Category: Most Humorous

“This card was created for couples who embrace humor and love a good laugh. When you love someone any pair is the fancy pair!”

Every person in our office laughed out loud when Sam presented this card design. It’s by far one of our most popular designs.

Samantha Kurtz & Shannon Lamb Collaboration : Koi Box Notes

LouiWinners-Ali-3Louie Award Winners : Samantha Kurtz & Shannon Lamb

Winner: Koi Boxed Notes  |  Category: Everyday Boxed Sets > Above $2.50

Because we’re such a small studio we often get to collaborate with one another on designs. Sam and Shannon teamed up to create this gorgeous letterpress Koi boxed note card set. Shannon designed the original pattern as an accompaniment to the Reverie Desk Collection and Sam adapted the pattern in a new color way to create this incredible set of cards. Letterpress printed with three inks plus a rose gold foil stamp to capture the shimmering nature of a koi in the water.

Sending a great big thanks to the Greeting Card Association and Louie Awards! You can check out the rest of the amazing winners from the 2017 Louie Awards here.

Caught in a Daydream: The Reverie Desk & Stationery Collection

9.01.2016

Sometimes it is beautiful to get caught in a daydream; there’s a peace and tranquility in allowing your mind to wander freely. That is precisely the essence of the Reverie Desk & Stationery Collection, new from Elum. Even if you’re a prisoner to a computer screen most of the week, your mind has the freedom to create a beautiful escape through a daydream. In that same way, the Reverie Collection can turn a mundane workspace into a serene landscape.

Elum Reverie Desk & Stationery Collection
Whimsically flowing watercolors and carefree pen strokes in a flush of lavender, deep navy, pear and sorbet capture the essence of a waking dream. Accompanied by brilliant pops of rose gold, these elements come together seamlessly in the introductory desk and stationery collection designed and manufactured by Elum.

Elum Reverie Collection: Peony Notepad
The Reverie collection is elevated beyond an ordinary stationery line both in quality and design. The addition of one of a kind products like the dimensional Peony Notepad and the 3 Pack Paper Journals with rose gold stitched binding make it truly extraordinary.

ReverieCollection2
We carefully crafted every detail of this collection, from the artful coptic stitch on the Exposed Bound Journal, to the luxe ultra-thick paper of the Edge Painted Note Boards, cleverly called “Certified Snail Mail”. The inclusion of products like the Petite Paper Wrapped Week Ahead Clipboard  will help you get organized for the coming week, making the Reverie Collection the perfect combination of beauty and functionality.

Elum Reverie Desk Collection
Of course no collection from Elum would be complete without a callback to our foundation in the highest quality letterpress printing. The Reverie Collection includes 7 brand new boxed letterpress note cards in gorgeous complimentary designs.

Elum Reverie Desk Collection: Koi letterpress box note cards
You can see the entire collection at ElumDesigns.com. Or find out what our friend’s  Julie Lauren and Kellie Van have to say about the collection on their blogs.

Let us know what you think about the new collection in the comments below.

 

Elum Real Wedding: Gillian & John

7.10.2016

Recently our “Bananagrams” Save the Dates for Gillian and John were featured in a The Huffington Post list of  out-of-the-box wedding invitations.  Seeing this little gem reminded us of how truly special Gillian and John are and how honored we were to be a part of their big day. In celebration of their 3 year anniversary we’re revisiting that incredible southern California wedding and all the beautiful stationery that accompanied it.

Elum Real Wedding: John & Gillian

Bananagrams Save the Date:

Letterpress Bananagrams Save the Date

Invitations:

Elum Real Wedding: Letterpress Invitations

Escort Cards  & Menus:

Elum Real Wedding: Table Settings

Elum Real Wedding: Table Settings

Elum Real Wedding: Letterpress Menus

That’s a good looking wedding party!:

Elum Real Wedding: Groomsmen

We’re not the only ones that thought this wedding was extra special, check out this feature in The Knot!

Elum Real Wedding: The Knot Feature JG_KNOT_SPREAD2 JG_KNOT_SPREAD3

Has Elum been a part of your wedding or special day? Contact us and let us know and we’ll feature you as an Elum Real Wedding!

Elum is up for 7 Louie Awards (AGAIN!)

4.25.2016

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card NominationsWe’ve heard the old adage “Lucky Number 7” but for Elum it seems to be the luckiest number. For the second year in a row Elum has been nominated for SEVEN Louie Awards. Honestly, we’re so excited it’s impressive we were able to stop high-fiving long enough to get this blog post written. Without further ado, our 7 Louie Award nominations are:

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations
No 1: If Memory Serves

Back in her college days while “under the influence” someone asked our founder, Melissa, a question to which she looked at them and said, “If memory serves me correctly, I have absolutely no idea.” It got a huge laugh and led her to this hilarious card concept all these years later.

No 2: Nap Hard

We all want to go big for birthdays, but let’s get real, life is tiring.  Inspired by the “work hard, play hard, nap hard” mantra, this card was written for the girl knows a good party needs a good pre-game nap. The combination of witty messaging and extra celebratory confetti  make this card a winner in our eyes and our staff pick favorite!
Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations

No 3: Priceless Torah

Bar Mitzvah cards are usually very serious. This card takes a more light-hearted approach with a playful design and humorous message. It was created to have a hand-drawn feel and ended up with a fun & unexpected dramatic comic book vibe.

No 4: Life is

Sometimes life is super amazing but sometimes life just feels like it’s totally against you. When kind words and motivational quotes fail, this card tells it like it is, with a candor that will hopefully make someone smile during a tough time. We hand lettered the message to give the card a more personal feel and used subtle colors with just enough punch to let the recipient know you are right there with them when life gets tough.

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations

No 5: Our Gnome

We know how to appreciate a good pun, which makes this card another Elum staff favorite. This sweet & silly letterpress holiday card features adorable gnomes with over exaggerated hats in a cheerful forest scene inspired by Scandinavian design aesthetic.

No 6: Rainbow Cake

Designing our same sex wedding card collection was one of our favorite projects of all time. We wanted to incorporate the rainbow, a symbol of diversity and pride amongst the LGBTQ community, and the traditional wedding cake revealing the colorful layers. It seemed like the perfect celebratory symbol of marriage equality.

Elum Louie Award Greeting Card Nominations
No 7: Everything Fluffy

We think this card pretty much sums up how every little girl feels on her birthday.  Melissa took herself back to childhood days, remembering that “magically dreamy birthday girl feeling” to come up with this message. The cotton candy hair do is the pretty much the epitome of every little girls fantasy.

Obviously we think they’re all winners but do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to check back soon to find out which awards we come home with and be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram for up to date news and info from Elum!

 

 

Introducing the Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection

4.11.2016

It may seem like we’ve been quiet here at Elum but behind the scenes we’ve been working harder than ever. Our team of uber-talented designers was asked to create a line of stationery & desk products for Paper Destiny,  to be sold exclusively at Papyrus stores, and of course we jumped at this amazing opportunity. We couldn’t be more excited to finally announce the arrival of the new Bijou Desk and Stationery Collection, available now at Papyrus.

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]The Bijou Collection[/typography]

We were inspired to create a line of products that exudes confidence but has romantic and feminine touches that bring the elements of hard and soft together seamlessly. Multi-colored designs use bold color blocking in coral, pink grapefruit, lagoon, and striking black to drive the color story. A touch of white oak wood veneer provides and unexpected natural element. Warm gold foil adds a subtle elegance and the hand brushed typestyle fashionably finishes out the collection. The name Bijou felt like the perfect fit, with every item being an elegant little jewel for your workspace.

The Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Gilded Notecards, Tres Important Square Notepad, 3 Pack Paper Journals[/typography]

Products like the luxe ultra-thick Edge Painted Note Boards, cleverly called a “vintage text message”, are one-of-a-kind additions to the Bijou collection. Foil stamped on 1/16″ thick soft-textured stock and carefully edge painted by hand, no other products on the market can compare to their quality and design. (pictured below)

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Edge Painted Note Boards[/typography]

Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted, like the artful coptic stitch binding on the Exposed Bound Journal, filled with soft cottony sketch paper that you can’t help but run your fingers over with every turn of the page. Once you make it through your first volume you can head back to Papyrus stores, where this product will be a staple of their stationery department and we will continue to add new beautiful designs. (pictured below) 

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Exposed Bound Journals[/typography]

The Bijou collection is elevated beyond an ordinary stationery line in both quality and design, with the addition of several new unique products. We adore this line so much it’s hard for us to pick favorites but the 3-dimensional Topographic Notepad that mimics map topography (pictured below) and the  Macaron Erasers, inspired by our favorite Parisian treat and finished with a delicate gold bow definitely rise to the top of our must-have list.  With 41 pieces in all, it’s easy to mix and match to find the perfect combination of beautiful office gems.

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]File Folders, Topographic Notepad, Gilded Notecards, Exposed Bound Journal[/typography]

Of course, true to Elum’s roots in creating the highest quality letterpress cards & invitations, the Bijou collection includes six exclusive letterpress & foil stamped box notes, proudly designed and printed at our studio in San Diego, CA. (pictured below)

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]Letterpress and foil stamped box notes[/typography]

This collection will create a truly chic workspace in any home or office or make an unforgettable gift.

Bijou Desk & Stationery Collection[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”10″ size_format=”px” color=”#a3a3a3″]The Bijou Collection[/typography]

The Bijou Collection is now available for a limited time, only at Papyrus stores or at http://www.papyrusonline.com/

We’re absolutely in love with the new collection, let us know what you think in the comments below. Don’t forget to connect with us on Instagram & Facebook to get up to date information about what’s coming next from Elum, new product releases,  promotions and more. Check back soon to get a sneak peek of the Elum Desk & Stationery Collection, coming in July!

ELUM IS UP FOR SEVEN LOUIE AWARDS!

3.26.2015

There are fist bumps and high-fives all around Elum. Why? Because we are finalists in seven different categories for this year’s Louie Awards put on by the Greeting Card Association . Congratulations to our talented team of idea makers, designers and artisan letterpress print makers for your dedication to ensuring Elum creations are NOTHING short of small works of art. You touch lives everyday through the work that you do and the cards that shared all over the world because of the passion you put into your creations. Sniff, sniff. . . Now, let’s meet the finalists!

Elum 2015 Louie Finalists 1&2

Louie Award Finalist No. 1    BIG DILL  – in the Congratulations category
Yes, Melissa’s family is pickle obsessed. With one child nicknamed “pickle” (and her own original pickle theme song to match) and her younger sister citing pickles as her favorite meal, it’s no surprise that a pickle greeting card would be created at some point. Every single person that walks by this card smiles. And now a possible Louie Award? This is a really big dill people, a REALLY BIG DILL.

Louie Award Finalist No. 2    WINGTIPS  – in the LGBTQ category
We were asked to design a small collection of Same Sex greeting cards for Barnes & Noble. We wanted to do a play on words with the term “soulmates”. The idea for the rainbow wingtips as the pair of shoes came after and when it did, we knew we had something special. When this beautiful card came off the letterpress, we all felt it was one of the best LGBTQ cards we had ever seen; t’s simple, sophisticated, endearing and truly iconic.

2015-Louie-Blog-Post-Part-2Louie Award Finalist No. 3    GALACTIC  –in the Friendship category
Sometimes a really great message is all you need, and we worked as a team to draft this totally awesome one. This card has connected with so many people and it’s so ridiculously awesome read over and over and over again.  And just to prove that inspiration truly come from anywhere and everywhere, April’s inspiration for the design came to her via a pair of galactic style leggings for sale at Urban Outfitters. Go figure.

Louie Award Finalist No. 4    LAWFULLY ANNOY  – in the Wedding category
We needed to add some letterpress wedding cards to our greeting card collection, but we decided we needed some with some personality. The “happily ever after” messaging had all been done. So, we dug deep into the minds of couples married for no less than 15  years. The result is a classic statement that will stand the test of time. But the real kicker is when you open it. . . See inside message on our site here.

 

2015-Louie-Blog-Post-Part-3.5

Louie Award Finalist No. 5   PURPLE POTATO CRISPS  –in the Friendship Humor category
While visiting the Bay Area, Amy was reading a local magazine on the topic of Dry Harvesting. As she read, she found herself pondering the ever growing movement toward safe & healthy agriculture and the terminology that we adopt as these descriptions appear on food labels. And, so the over-the-top idea for this totally hilarious and truly unique letterpress friendship card was born. Try not to laugh. It’s ridiculous, you gotta love that.

Louie Award Finalist No. 6    MUSHY GUSHY  –in the Wedding category
How do you say it all without saying a single word? I think we have that covered here. We wanted this letterpress Valentine card to be everything one would expect from a quintessential old school Valentine; frilly and red with a scripted message. The idea was that you would really have to read it to realize that it was basically a spoof on itself. The irony is just flat out fun.

 

2015-Louie-Blog-Post-Part-4.5

Louie Award Finalist No. 5    3D POP-OUT GINGERBREAD HOUSE in the Christmas Holiday category
Honestly, it’s true, we were all so bored with the same-old same-old photo cards for the holidays that we decided we needed to create a clever (and of course letterpress) alternative to re-invent the idea of the holiday card all together. So, we thought, what would bring a smiles to both adults and children alike? Well, the answer was simple; this ridiculously adorable interactive 3D Pop-Out Gingerbread House card, of course! It’s kind of like the cutest thing ever.

Our Favorite Designs of 2014

12.29.2014

2014 was such an incredibly awesome year for us here at Elum. We beefed up our shop with three new letterpress machines, added six new employees to our team, and started foil stamping everything we could get our hands on. On top of all that growth, we checked some boxes off our designer bucket list by launching our Same Sex Greeting Card Collection and designing invitations to impress awe-inspiring designers like Tom Ford International and Nate Berkus. We’re not worthy. . . (ok, maybe we are)!

HERE ARE OUR DESIGNERS’ PICKS FOR OUR FAVORITE DESIGNS OF 2014

Favorite Letterpress Projects

[typography font=”Montserrat” size=”16″ size_format=”px” color=”#8d8580″]ART DIRECTOR AMY’S PICKS:[/typography]

In looking back on 2014, I have two favorites. The first was a custom B’not Mitzvah invitation we worked on with our lovely custom dealer, Elyse Fuerth at E.A.F. Fine Papers. Her clients came in, two young girls with a sense of high fashion style wanting something to wow their guests. The final invite included a shimmery gold peek-a-boo pocket that revealed just their names. Upon opening, a chic monogram, created just for the twins and hand-dusted in our fine Tahitian gold pixie dust filled the page. Accompanied by hot pink edge painting, gold foil-stamping, hot pink letterpress and a shimmery gold backer, this was a true stand-out piece.

how_can_you_choose

Art Directors favorite letterpress projects

The second project that was near and dear to me was on the other end of the spectrum of what we do here at Elum. It was our line of Father’s Day cards made exclusively for Papyrus/Clinton’s in the UK. The cards explored all of the relationships we have with fathers and had just the right balance of the funny dad-humor and the sweet sentimental stuff. Each card was paired with incredible art by our talented group of designers here.

favorite letterpress projects

[typography font=”Montserrat” size=”16″ size_format=”px” color=”#8d8580″]ELUM FOUNDER MELISSA’S PICKS:[/typography]

When I found out that Elum had been selected to design the wedding invitation for Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, I had to pinch myself. I mean, this invitation project was monumental in its importance. And not only because it was the very first gay marriage to take place at the New York Public Library, but because as a tween, I used to race home from school on the days Nate was going to be featured on Oprah so I could gather around the TV with my mom and sisters. Nate was, and still is, a design hero to me personally. Over the years his design ingenuity, creative influence, and impeccable taste level has been an inspiration. So, needless to say, this is a project I called home about. It was an honor of a lifetime.

DESIGNER'S favorite letterpress project

[typography font=”Montserrat” size=”16″ size_format=”px” color=”#8d8580″]APRIL’S PICKS:[/typography]

Our new letterpress  Galactic card combines two of my all-time favorite things: clever, witty messaging and hand drawn lettering. With an awesome message from Melissa and Amy as a starting point, we pulled together some celestial inspiration (including some crazy galaxy leggings!) and decided to go with a casual hand drawn feel. After seeing the card printed in its interstellar color palette, it’s definitely my favorite greeting card I’ve worked on this year.

designer shannon's favorite letterpress project

[typography font=”Montserrat” size=”16″ size_format=”px” color=”#8d8580″]SHANNON’S PICKS:[/typography]

My favorite letterpress card has to be the Bacon & Eggs card, for so many reasons. Besides the fact that I loved spending my work day drawing bacon & eggs in a romantic setting, I really love the concept behind this card (props to April for this one)! It’s subtle yet hilarious, and manages to be romantic without being nauseating.

The Bacon & Eggs card is a great example of what I love about our creative team at Elum; we take sentiments that could feel cliché and find new ways to express them that feel honest and that will (hopefully) resonate with our customers. This was one of the first cards I worked on at Elum, and it was a great collaborative experience.