Retailer Profile: Gateaux, Inc

Gateaux Inc
Plymouth, MN

Owner: Robin Martin
Length in Business: 16 years, 11 in stationery

Why did you choose to carry the new Spark albums? The only letterpress company this open to customization!
Favorite Spark Design: I love to pull artwork together to be customized, but if I had to pick a suite, I would say Margaret.

Social Media
Website: http://www.gateaux-inc.com/
Blog: http://gateaux-inc.blogspot.com/

Other thoughts about the albums: I love that the designs range from incredibly traditional to modern within one album. It has multiple personalities, like me! These designs allow me to control the destiny of the couple's look for their wedding. It's the A to Z design for their stationery and cakes at the same time!
Average client: They really range in age 20-40s where the younger bride wants more traditional and the 40 year olds want something modern.
Strengths as a retailer/store: I'm not afraid to take the extra time to do custom work. I push brides to create a design that is uniquely theirs, your stationery should look like you. I also have Adult ADD which is a plus, because I don't want to do anything the same way twice!

Robin's first love is making wonderful wedding cakes! We have featured some of her stationery to cakes on this blog. Her ability to help each couple from the beginning of their stationery design to the end of cutting the cake is always inspiring. Watch Robin and her team on Amazing Wedding Cakes this season on WE tv which premiers late March.

**Recognize Arianna and Lucinda design elements in the above cake images? Ask us how you can get your stationery design for your cake as well!

Updated Business cards!

It has been a while since we have shown some business card ideas so I thought today would be a great time for them. We believe that letterpress-printed cards really create a great impression of you for the people receiving your card.

Feel free to use one of our designs or artwork as a basis of your card. If you are printing cards for your business, you may submit your company logo/artwork for us to use. Using a colored paper, chipboard, or Prairie paper can help your card to stand out among the others. We have a large variety of ink colors, paper colors, and fonts to create your one of a kind card.

Please feel free to ask us any question you may have about your next business card or visit one of our retailers.

SPARK ICONS: Reply Cards, Maps & More!

Looking for a way to add a little character to your reply card or other printed wedding day pieces? Spark has a constantly growing library of icons for use as menu options on reply cards, accents to maps and symbols for event or information cards. A variety of our offerings are shown below.

The small icons really add visual interest for your guests, not to mention, call-out the small details you just don't want them to miss!! Outside of the more common reply cards, they are a lovely accent to timelines and can easily mark important landmarks or events on maps. It's always good to check with us ahead of placing an order as we have a large variety of artwork available. If there is something specific you are looking for, we would be more than happy to design a custom icon or find something that would be just right for you!

Seeing the look all come together

One of our Atlanta retailers, Debra Saba of Luxe Expressions, worked with Spark to create a complete wedding stationery suite for her client. We've worked with Debra on many stationery suites and can say that she exudes creativity and the necessary know-how to create couture stationery. This particular couple's wedding stationery started with the save the date, using an engagement photo as the centerpiece. The photo was a high-resolution image, made letterpress-ready by Spark. It's beautiful announcement for this very happy couple.

Here is what our retailer, Debra Saba, had to say about working with Spark and the couple to create their look through their wedding day.

"The couple wanted something elegant and soft but also to have a bit of a African tribal vibe to it and an added Chemistry theme at the wedding (bride is a Chemistry professor). We have a knack for showing artwork that Spark offers but explaining how it can be customized to get a totally different look. We showed Chavonda (the bride) the Padma design which was not their style at first however elements of the artwork were, and what turned out by Spark was amazing!"

To incorporate the couple's Chemistry theme without being "too themey" they opted for adorable test tube escort cards and periodic table elements for their table numbers. The wedding cake featured the same design elements used in their customized invitations, bringing all of the "elements" together for a very personal style.

"All parties worked together from Luxe Expressions, Spark, Lighting, to the Cake and Linens to pull off the similar look. We all couldn't have been happier about the results."

If you have purchased or are planning on purchasing a Spark design, please ask your retailer if you have other non-stationery items you would like to utilize our artwork for. There are many times that we can provide files for a limited use to make your big day that much more special. We would love to help!

Ideas for your Wedding Stationery

Thinking of ideas for your wedding stationery? Over the past few months at Spark this very blog has tried to promote the freshest ideas so you can have creative wedding stationery perfect for setting the tone of your event. This post features links to past blogs so you can kind find a specific idea or just learn more about letterpress along the way!

First we should start off with why Wedding Stationery is important. It not only sets the tone of your event (starting with a great Save the Date) but is a great memento for years afterward! Here is our wedding stationery time-line. Letterpress requires a bit more time than traditional flat or digital printing, so just be aware.

New this year is Prairie Paper - aka seed paper - which could be a fresh take on your invitation! Have your guests plant their invitation once the wedding is over and have a great reminder of your special day.

Thinking of trying to save a bit of money? Postcards are a great option! Use a postcard for a save the date or as a reply postcard and save the money on envelopes - also the more eco-friendly option to save on paper waste.

Trying to think of your wedding colors? Our great designers wrote this Insight (design only blogs) on Colors.

Don't forget other fun, creative artwork! Vintage maps (Domestic and International locations) can not only show your guests where they would be going, but provide a creative patten for your piece.

My personal favorite - letterpressed photos showcase you, as a form of art. Use an engagement photo for your save the date, or have a honeymoon inspired thank you card.

Day of items? Why not have a one of a kind coaster or gift tag to complete your wedding ensemble, starting with the save the date!

As always, please feel free to email spark@letterpresslove.com with any thoughts or questions!