Socialology’s Academia-Inspired Business Stationery

Nikki from Akula Kreative sent over this academia-inspired stationery suite that she designed for a wedding and event planning business – and the whole suite is absolutely stunning from start to finish! The color palette of bright orange and gray is so much fun, and the dictionary-theme letterpress printed business cards? So good!

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

From Nikki: Jasmine, the owner/founder of Socialology, came to us with a Pinterest board filled with orange, salmon, gray, and taupe images, all inspired by academia. The photographs of pencils, erasers, vintage books, and dictionary pages in conjunction with her company name, Socialoogy, made it obvious from the get-go that we’d have the opportunity to expand on a theme with endless possibilities. From the edge painting and cotton paper to the four printing processes it took to make it, this stationery suite is all about quality and attention to detail.

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2) Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

First, we had to do something about the name.  The suffix “-ology” means “the study of,” so “Socialology” refers to “the study of being social.” An academic name for an academic theme. The hurdle, however, was getting people to SAY it correctly, as it was—and is—a bit of a tongue twister. And so we set out to create a logo that would not only be easy to read, but it would have to instruct people how to pronounce it. Enter Andy Luce, who created the beautiful lettering for the first half of the name. He actually came up with options for the entire name, but in the end we landed on a combination of calligraphy for “social” and a serif font for “ology.”

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6) Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

To drive the idea home, we went with a dictionary-themed business card. On the front, we used a multi-level sculptural die to deboss the “book plate” area around the logo. On the back, we letterpress printed the contact information in the form of a dictionary entry, complete with pronunciation cues, part of speech, and definition. In the bottom right, we foil-stamped a dictionary tab.

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4) Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

The postcard-style correspondence card mimics a library catalog card, using the phone number as the reference number. The red tab reads “This book was catalogued on” and leaves a space for a date stamp. At the bottom of the letterhead, we repeated the dictionary-style layout and orange tab, but our favorite feature is the ghost-like quality of the pattern that becomes visible when you hold it to the light. To top it all off, we ordered handmade fabric portfolio folders that Jasmine can use when presenting to potential clients. The outside features a blind deboss logo, and the inside features pockets for the 4″ x 1″ business card and a custom-made client intake form.

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

Thanks Nikki!

Design: Akula Kreative

Custom Calligraphy: Andy Luce

Printing: In to Ink and Senekeo

Photo Credits: Caroline Tran

Tony + Hsiao’s Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations

Okay folks, I know some of you might scratch your heads at this one… but I couldn’t help myself! My husband introduced me to the Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones) books a few years ago and I quickly became a fan of the entire series. So when the team from Lion in the Sun sent over a Game of Thrones-inspired wedding invitation suite and day-of stationery, I just couldn’t resist!

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (15)

From Lion in the Sun designer Victoria: When Hsiao first approached me about a Game of Thrones-inspired invitation suite, I have to admit I found the task a bit daunting. The aesthetics of the graphic novel and HBO show are so iconic that I was hesitant to even attempt to emulate them. The couple was also very intent on the fact that theirs would not be a “theme wedding,” but rather a modern and sophisticated homage to the show they loved.

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (17)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (9) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

This freed me up to put my spin on the suite, playing with the themes and motifs of the show but creating original artwork that was more modern and graphic.  It was fun to add a tongue-in-cheek element to the Save the Date with a play on the show’s ominous tag-line “Winter is coming,” since we felt this was the perfect place to acknowledge the humor of their choice before really glamming it up with the elegant gold foil, black museum board, and intricate letterpress silhouettes.

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (14)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (12) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (16)

I had a blast working on this project and I must admit that it whet our appetite for more unconventional suite designs here at Lion in the Sun, so definitely keep ‘em coming!

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Thanks Victoria, Dave and Melinda!

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Invitation photos by Lion in the Sun, wedding photos by Pat Dy

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Coasters

Let’s talk about wedding coasters, shall we? Often forgotten but always necessary, it’s fun to take your paper goods style all the way down to the drinks. While the gold foil variety truly owns my heart, I’ve rounded up a few favorites to show all that can be done on this little piece of stationery for your big day. And all of these make great little wedding keepsakes too, so be sure to keep a few leftovers post-wedding! —Kelly

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

Photo by Lehua Noelle, Coasters by Mae Mae Paperie via 100 Layer Cake

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Photo by Amanda Wilcher Photographers, Coasters by Papertalk Press via Style Me Pretty

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2) Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Photo by Scott Clark, Coasters by Sugar Paper via 100 Layer Cake (left), Coasters by BHLDN (right)

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Photo by Our Labor of Love by Heidi via Style Me Pretty

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

Coasters by Sugar Paper via Mint Loves Social Club

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

Photo by Edyta Szyszlo, Coaster Printing by Mama’s Sauce via 100 Layer Cake

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

Coasters by Emily McCarthy

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Coasters by Bella Figura

Are any of you planning to use custom coasters in your wedding?

{images via their respective sources}

Paper Party 2013: The Invitations!

After sharing the photos from Paper Party 2013 the other week, I’m so excited to finally share the invitations for the party! I was lucky to work with a really amazing team this year, including Linda & Harriett, Smock, Mohawk, and Meant to Be Calligraphy – it was definitely a group effort from start to finish! The invitations involve pops of bright neon pink, hand lettering, and a fun pattern. I couldn’t love them more!

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (50)

I was beyond thrilled to work with Liz from Linda & Harriett on the invitation design; I’ve been dying for an excuse to work with her for years! Liz no longer offers custom design services, but you can her beautiful designs on Minted and Paperless Post. I gave Liz our general inspiration – lots of bright color and geometric shapes – and just trusted Liz to do the rest. I love the resulting design,which features her gorgeous hand lettering and a background pattern of illustrated envelopes. Liz also used her hand lettering to create the envelope return address.

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (49)

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (8) Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (9)

The invitations were letterpress printed by Smock on Mohawk Loop Smooth 160 lb White paper in two colors: a light pink for the background and a bright fluorescent pink for the main text (Pantone 812 for those of you interested in such things). I love the texture of the neon pink printed over the light pink envelope pattern background!

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (33)

The envelopes were printed on Mohawk Via Smooth A7 envelopes in Light Gray, and we used the same neon pink for the return addresses. I love the way the neon pink pops against the light gray envelopes, but oh boy are neon colors hard to photograph!

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (17)

The talented Michele of Meant to Be Calligraphy addressed the envelopes in her Edwards style in charcoal gray ink. We mailed approximately one hundred invitations before the show, then distributed the rest in person at the Stationery Show.

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Paper Party 2013 Invitations: Linda + Harriett Design, Smock Letterpress Printing, Mohawk Paper, Meant to Be Calligraphy for Oh So Beautiful Paper (47)

I hope you all love the invitations as much as I do!

Design: Linda & Harriett

Letterpress Printing: Smock

Paper: Mohawk

Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy

You can see the rest of the photos from Paper Party 2013 right here!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Amy + Brandon’s Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday everyone! I’m thrilled to be starting the week with a gorgeous set of invitations with architecture-inspired details from Lisa at Missive! Lisa incorporated a beautiful gold foil starburst detail inspired by chandeliers at the wedding venue along with modern sans serif and script fonts. I love the combination of the gold foil with the bright red and aqua color palette. The entire suite is so pretty!

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

From Lisa: Amy and Brandon’s wedding suite was inspired by interior architectural details at their wedding venue. The chandeliers inside the venue had an interesting starlike pattern that Amy wanted to incorporate into her invitations, so I designed a starburst element which was carried through from her save the date to wedding invitations to thank you notes, where it appears as their new monogram.

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (9)

Once I learned more about Amy’s vision for her venue decor — from a huge curtain of red and aqua fringe streamers and gold dot garland to jars filled with glowing candlelight, it was clear that her wedding invitation suite needed a glamorous feel. The invitations were letterpress printed in Amy’s bold wedding colors, a rich red and vivid aqua blue, complemented by the shiny gold starbursts.

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

Modern sans-serif typefaces were paired with an exquisite, flourished script for all of the pieces in this suite. We upped the glam factor with envelopes in bright punchy colors, which were also foil stamped with the couples’ return address. This suite was all about sparkle and shine and I loved that the bride did not shy away from bold color and gleaming gold details!

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

Modern Glam Sunburst Wedding Invitations by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

In celebration of the new Missive website and online shop, Lisa has generously offered Oh So Beautiful Paper readers an exclusive 20% discount for the month of June, including personalized letterpress stationery and calling cards! Just use promo code OSBP20 at checkout – thanks so much Lisa!

Design + Letterpress Printing: Missive

Foil Stamping: Quality Letterpress

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Missive