Retailer Profile: a + z ink

a + z ink

(formerly Uhhleksuh Ink)

Birmingham, AL

Owner(s): Alexa Whitehead and Zane Place
Length in business: December 2009

Why did you choose to carry the new Spark albums?: Heard about Spark, visited your website, read the blog and received samples all of which really helped us decide that Spark would be a great company to work with!
Favorite new Spark design: Amelie (Alexa) and Lily (Zane)

Other thoughts about the new albums: Love them! We are happy to carry the line!
Average client: young professional, looking for modern and individualized stationery
Strengths as a retailer/store: No one else has letterpress in Alabama! We have very individualized service with bride going from helping her find her style to the delivery of the product.

We are thrilled to have a + z ink represent us in the great state of Alabama. If you are in there area, please stop by and tell them Spark sent you!

Trendy Award Winner - Thank you!

Our Amelie design is a Trendy Award winner in the bridal category!

This is the first year for the Trendy, awarded by Stationery Trends Magazine. Thank you to everyone who voted for our Amelie suite! We are honored by this recognition.

A lot of us here at Spark consider the Amelie suite among our favorites. We love the distressed wood type and the vintage maps. If you are wondering, the New York City map featured in this invitation can be adapted for just about any city or location. Contact us or a retailer new you for details.

Thanks again!

Chipboard? What were we thinking?

As a letterpress printer, we get wonderful samples of paper by mail. Luxurious cotton stocks, fun metallics, seed paper...you name it, we've seen it. So, imagine the surprise of our paper distributor in Minneapolis when we told him we were bringing in some chipboard stock (ranging 30-40pt). They know we print primarily fine stationery products, so they were a little confused by our need for a non-luxury, no thrills stock.


We first used chipboard back in 2008 when we came out with our Loop products, featuring artwork by a local artist, Kate Puetz. When she came up with the Loop animals, we just didn't want to print them on white paper. Valerie decided to print on chipboard. It performed very well and took a nice impression. The only "issue" we have with chipboard is that it dulls our cutter very quickly. You also have to be OK with the fact that chipboard will have flecks and vary from sheet to sheet, but that's the beauty of a recycled product.


We certainly can't forget to mention the above business cards designed by Flush Designs and printed by Spark. The Dirty Roots cards turned out wonderfully. These cards are a double-sided print on a 40pt. chipboard stock. The chipboard has enough heft to it that we could achieve a great impression both sides.


The Thie Custom Homes business cards were designed and printed here just a couple months ago for a local home builder. Our client has a unique card that makes an impression with his current and prospective clients.

If you are thinking of using chipboard for your next letterpress product, give us a ring. We are more than happy to send you a sample so you can see it for yourself!

Retailer Profile: The Paper Place

The Paper Place
West Chester, OH

Owner: Ann Schwartz
Length in business: 15

Why did you choose to carry the new Spark albums?: love all the color, modern, all the options, the pockets.
Favorite new Spark design: the love birds, and all the florals

Website: www.epaperplace.com

Other thoughts on the new albums: fresh looking!
Average client: modern, looking to set themselves apart
Strengths as retailer/store: customer service, strive very hard to meet customer needs, attention to details, we work hard to keep clients budgets.

It is great to have someone like Ann representing Spark in Ohio! The pictures of her store speak loudly to her sense of style and appreciation for fine stationery.

Stationery Love: Stephanie Calling Cards

Our Stephanie design in the Stationery Love album is simply classic. One of our goals with the Stationery Love album was to show how a calling card can change from 1 to 2 colors, to different shapes - all without printing on the back side.

Adding text or artwork to the backside of the card is done time and again and adds to the cost. For you budget savvy individuals out there, stick to printing on the front only and still have a card that will impress. We often find that the cotton paper and letterpress impression will wow whomever receives your calling card.

Order 500+ quantity of calling cards and receive 15% off your order. This offer ends May 31, 2010.

Retailer Profile: Noteworthy, LLC

Noteworthy, LLC
Chicago, IL

Owner: Cindy Rudman
Length in business: 10 years

Why did you choose to carry the new Spark albums?: We were looking for new letterpress that was more affordable. Your prices are great!
Favorite new Spark design: Isabel

Social Media

Website: www.noteworthynotes.com
Facebook: Noteworthy Notes
Twitter: @noteworthynotes

Other thoughts about the albums: really easy to figure out an invitation with the design book. All the colors are patterns listed together
Average client: Classic, Chicago is a pretty classic city!
Strengths as a retailer/store: We are flexible in working with our client's budgets. I think we read our customers pretty well to help them find what design fits them.

We are thrilled to have Noteworthy Notes selling our products in the Chicago area! She is no beginner at selling custom stationery. Cindy and her staff offer their clients outstanding service and stationery know how that keeps them coming back to mark all occasions with beautiful stationery. Stop by Noteworthy Notes and tell them Spark sent you!

Retailer Profile: No Regrets

No Regrets
Newton Centre, MA

Owner: Elise Cherny
Length in business: 22 years in April (Congrats!!!)

Why did you choose to carry the new Spark albums: very fresh looking, exciting, new twist to letterpress
Favorite design from new albums: depends on the day! But probably Natalya
Other thoughts on new albums: Love them! Different from Spark's first album, great color sense.

Average client: all over the place - traditional to modern.
Strengths as a retailer/store: My business of all word of mouth and service is my priority. My goal is to make people happy.

We are thrilled that Elise is carrying the Spark wedding albums. She is an authority in mitzvahs and wedding stationery!

Spark Spring Specials!

We're all about sparking your interest in letterpress, and what better way to do that than by sharing some free letterpress love!

Wedding Love Specials:

Free Belly Bands with Pocketfolds
Free Calling Cards or Gift Tags

Stationery Love Special:

15% off Calling Cards

Visit our website at http://letterpresslove.com/index.php/promo/ for more details on these special offers. You may redeem these offers through a Spark retailer near you, or contact us directly if you do not have a retailer in your area.

Offers end May 31, 2010.

Carter Baby Announcement

The Carter design is featured in our new Stationery Love album. Printed on our soft white 1-ply cotton paper in glacier and apple inks, this design is perfect for baby showers, announcements and other party invites.

We especially want to give thanks to Kate Puetz, a friend of Spark and talented artist who created the adorable animals featured in this set.

Stationery Love: Jack & Clara Announcement

Featured above is our Jack & Clara baby announcement stationery, available in our Stationery Love album. The whimsical artwork used in these pieces is perfect way to announce the arrival of your little one (or two)!

As with all of our stationery, customize your order as you want. Change the colors, papers, even the artwork to create a look that is uniquely you!

We encourage you to visit a Spark retailer in your area, otherwise contact us directly with inquiries at spark@letterpresslove.com.