On Press: Dinosaurs--Polymer Plates

This is the first in a series of videos on the production of our "Dinosaurs" birthday card designed by Julia Rothman. Here Max demonstrates the polymer plate making process.

To create the plates, we first start with a film that has a clear image area and an opaque non-image area. We place this film on top of the polymer plate that has a layer of photo sensitive emulsion and expose it to UV light. The light that shines through the clear image area of the film hardens the light sensitive emulsion. Then we scrub the unexposed soft emulsion away, leaving a raised relief plate. After rinsing the plate and putting it on a heating tray to dry, we expose the plate to light again for added strength. Lastly, we apply an adhesive backing to attach the polymer plate to a boxcar base.

Stay tuned next week for the next step in creating this letterpress Dinosaur greeting card.

Studio Snapshots!

Here's Jon working our vintage Vandercook press. This is the press that started it all, originally manufactured in 1947, it lived in Eunice's garage when Hello!Lucky was just beginning.

We strive to stay organized, and being the visual people we are, color coding and alphabetizing envelopes make assembly much more efficient! Above is just a portion of our envelope collection. We're really loving the Clover (kelly green) color right now.

Another way to stay organized with ribbon storage. We are always looking for a particluar shade or pattern, so it's helpful to have them side by side!

Our designers Anna H. and Shauna looking sharp and stylish!

Faye was created by a talented employee years ago. If you look closely, she's made up of Cherry Blossom wedding invitations! She likes to keep watch atop our studio stairs and greet all of our visitors. Can you say pretty in pink?!

New Susy Jack* for Hello!Lucky Wedding

 One of the things we take pride in most here at Hello!Lucky is our enthusiasm for working with talented artists and designers aside from our own. Combining forces with brilliant minds gives us a great pleasure, and there is no shortage of brilliant minds out there. As you saw this past holiday season, we paired up with 16 various artists around the world for our curated custom holiday collection, and it was quite a hit. Not only were we exposed to the extraordinary design skills of our favorite illustrators, but their designs were made available for our customers to enjoy. Since the holiday collection launched last year, we knew we were in the midst of some potential lifetime friends, one being the insanely gifted Susy Jack*. Her classic patterns and bold color palettes make up the perfect combination for a modern wedding invitation, and we're here to bring you just that! Six brand new, completely exclusive, letterpress and flat printed wedding invitations, save the dates, and day-of stationery, all for you!

Bohemian (above)

Meet Susy Jack*. A lover of textiles and paper, Susy's career took flight after her collection on Etsy made a splash in the design world. Now, you'll find her paper products and home accessories in stores all over the world. We asked Susy a few questions about her new wedding suite for Hello!Lucky:

What was your inspiration for this collection? 

My inspiration for this collection was to bring my most-loved motifs from decorative arts into a fresh, inviting, welcoming and stylish new place. I grew up in a house full of vintage and antique items. I was surrounded by decorative objects and they were a huge influence on my own creativity. I thought that exploring the place where art and craftsmanship meet, and combining that with a modern approach to style, was a great starting point for a wedding collection.

What was your process like?

My process is actually very mental--I spend a lot of time thinking before I get down to work. Often I'll perceive what I want something to look like before it even hits paper. I don't do a whole lot of sketching outwardly but in my mind. I sketch all day and play with ideas. Usually my sketchbooks are more filled with words than drawings; when I sit down to work, I often have words in mind instead of images. I'll want something to evoke humor, or love, or happiness or a combination of emotions and ideas.

 Cross Stitch

                       "Each suite is like a mini-collection, which I hope the bride will see as her very own."

 Daisy

     "I love overlapping patterns, and the idea of using a different pattern for each piece in the suite is so much fun." 

 Duchesse

 What usually sparks a design idea for you?

I'm an inspiration omnivore, which helps when you live in the middle of New York City. Usually an idea is sparked by browsing a flea market, museum or other place that's full of textural objects from bygone days but I also love the latest fashion and art. I try to get out and about and take in a lot of the real world: what people are wearing, what exhibits are happening. I love looking closely at something and figuring out what exactly it is that I like about it or what makes me interested in it. Then I start to work on my own new ideas. It's always amazing to see how looking closely, paying attention and being in the moment can make things come to life, creatively. It can be difficult to remember to stop and actually look more closely at something for a quiet, thoughtful moment, see it in all it's dimensions, experience it. I love doing that. It's always worth the time.

Feathers

"It's always amazing to see how looking closely, paying attention and being in the moment can make things come to life, creatively."

Tropic

To view the entire Susy Jack* collection and read more about her inspiration, click here!

 Photos by Edyta Szyszlo

Martha Stewart Weddings

By now you most likely know about Eunice and Daniel's wedding featured in Martha Stewart Weddings back in 2010. The excitement was radiating around our studio, and we still relish in the memory of such an honor of appearing on the cover. Martha Stewart is one of the most inspiring bridal information destinations [along with endless craft and recipe ideas] so we feel blessed to be a small part of it every now and then. It's such a thrill to see weddings we have worked on appear in the Bride's Guide or even inside the shiny pages of the magazine, and because we love the Martha Stewart collection so much, we wanted to revisit all those moments of pleasure by bringing the real weddings to you.

Eunice and Daniel started the trend by customizing our Woodland Damask wedding invitations (designed by Joel Dewberry).

 Recently, Megan and Alex's wedding was featured including one of our newest destination invitations Visit Martha's Vineyard (designed by Lab Partners).

We also created these program fans incorporating an illustrated version of their reception spot The Beach Plum Inn. You can really see the resemblance!

 

And of course, a New England wedding isn't quite complete without fresh oysters. We love the display atop this rustic mini fishing boat.

 Jenny and Ben's fairytale Sonoma wedding was a favorite last year, especially their custom created wedding invitations and programs. Their feature in MSW really highlighted their charming characteristics and artistic creations for the ceremony. We love that they weren't afraid to incorporate bright colors!

We can't forget about Jean and Devin's whimsical wedding. The true inspiration for our Big Day invitation suite, this couple's witty wording set the tone for one lovely [big!] day.

With the help of our friends at Alison Events, lots of crafty details made this intimate barn yard setting pop with color.

 

On Press: Broadside

This week James is operating the Vandercook and pressing a large broadside for a custom print job. The press is a No. 4 proof press from 1947. This video shows him setting up his guides and adjusting the furniture around the base for a perfectly positioned print. Next, he applies ink to the rollers and inks the polymer plates. Finally, after printing, he carefully cleans all the rollers.

On Press: Midsummer

This week On Press is the two-color Midsummer wedding invitation design on white duplex paper with rounded corners (yes, we offer corner rounding!).

After their first color run, the invitations on the feed table are ready for their second color.

The invite rests securely in the guides to be pressed into the polymer plate.

 ...on the delivery table after the second color run.

Look at the beautiful impression! Duplex paper (220lb) is double the thickness of our standard 110lb paper and leaves a much deeper impression. We do offer duplex paper for all letterpress invitations for an extra cost, just be sure to ask!

 Anna meticulously rounds each corner.

 And here is the finished product! If you are interested in corner rounding or duplex paper for your invitations, just give us a call at (415) 355-0008, we'd love to hear from you!

Evolution of a Design: Seagulls

One of the joys of working in a design studio is getting to see our ideas come to life on paper. Seagulls has been a favorite invitation for quite some time, but it's the little changes that makes this design unique. It fits perfectly with outdoor beach weddings and oceanside events, and with a personal touch, it's great for any event.

The soft pool and stone colorway creates a casual vibe, but customizing the fonts and ink colors can really make a bold statement.

And simply removing an icon makes for a fresh, clean composition.

This save the date was inspired by the original design, but simplified to match the couples' nautical New York wedding.

Fly fishermen Erin and Joseph wanted to incorporate icons that represented their favorite hobby, so the fish were the perfect fix.

And as the seasons change, this early autumn invitation designed for Jennifer and Pat offers a more comfortable style. If you like any of the designs you see here, just give us a call and we can give you more ordering information!

Check our our evolution of Heartland and Big Day!

New Wedding Invitations!

C'est magnifique! More new wedding invitation designs have arrived! Last week we revealed our new modern and classic wedding designs, and today we're excited to share our new delicate floral suites. We are certain you'll fall in love with French Bow, inspired by darling French patisseries and delicate details.

Romantic Garden has similar qualities, offering a simpler yet elegant composition. And we must say, these designs look très jolie letterpress printed!

Photos by Edyta Szyszlo

New Wedding Designs: Visit Series

We know you've all been anxiously awaiting new destination wedding invitations by Lab Partners exclusively for Hello!Lucky, well wait no longer! We're proudly introducing four new American destinations to the collection: Martha's Vineyard, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.! Each design delicately captures the characteristics of its location, and the iconic features they have to offer. The nautical charm of Martha's Vineyard shines through in this suite. We're especially loving the map-like layout of the double-sided save the date. Having so many boutique towns in that area, this design fits all types.

Our west coast brides will be at ease with the new Visit Seattle invitation. Mount Rainier looks down upon the pacific oceanfront and among all the shoppers of Pike Place Market. Seattle's rainy reputation doesn't hold us back, cause we are loving the wooded wonderland of the Pacific Northwest.

Bells will be ringing in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell that is! Our Visit Philadelphia suite is packed with iconic landmarks and monuments. Placed among the beautiful Delaware River, this invitation has all the perfect elements.

And finally, our nations capital Washington D.C. looking sharp among the classic cherry blossoms and historical architecture. This invitation has local love birds sitting pretty.

Many many thanks to Lab Partners for these fantastic new collections!

Photos by Edyta Szyszlo

New Wedding Invitations!

Get ready to dazzle your guests with these new sophisticated wedding suites. We triggered our traditional instincts when coming up with our latest collection, and are certain these designs will leave a lasting impression. Marquee, inspired by the glamour of the roaring 1920s, pulls out all the stops with its vintage embellishments and architectural borders.

Fillmore focuses on clean, classic lines and simple icons, perfect for a contemporary wedding. Plus, the invitation is double-sided to add a little flare to the entire suite. Customize the ink colors to match your wedding details and your big day will instantly fall into place. And remember, envelope liners are always available as an extra, so feel free to ask us about details!

 Photos by Edyta Szyszlo

On Press: Cross Stitch

This week on press is the new Susy Jack* design for Hello!Lucky: Cross Stitch. Here is a video of Hello!Lucky's printer, James, positioning the polymer plate, setting up the press, and printing samples of the new design.

This design will be available on the site soon!

New Year Of Cheer and Year of Love card kits!

2012 is a year of love! It's been a little while since we released our every occasion card kits like this one, but we're sure these new kits will have you covered all year round. The Year of Love set includes 12 letterpress love notes you can send to friends and family anytime, anywhere.  Stock up on these beauties now and you won't be scrambling for your honey's anniversary card or Mother's Day card in May!

The Year of Cheer card kit is filled with our brand new designs and even some timeless designs from the past. You'll find congratulations cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, etc. all fulfilling your yearly stationery needs. It can't get any easier than this!

Pick up your own sets at the Hello!Lucky studio, or order them online here and here!

 Photos by Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Inspired by: Wedding Invitation Suites

With wedding season about to kick off, we're gearing up for some amazing additions to our collection. Wedding invitations serve as the first source of inspiration for the big day, and with all the pieces in check, you can really start to see all the details come to life. Frequently we find ourselves browsing through the photo database for inspiration drawn from particular invitations, and we wanted to share a place where you can do the same. Whether your wedding has a rustic farm theme, a sleek and modern theme, or a whimsical and playful theme, these photos will have you planning in no time! Click on the photos for a larger view!

Southern Belle (above) and its darling motifs will make that sweet southern wedding that much more charming. The delicate watercolors by Anne Smith are calling for lots of floral garland and white daisies!

 Rolling Acres is just right for a summer celebration. And the pennant liners (available soon!) will add a festive flare to your party invitation.

Figs has more rustic and natural qualities. Perfect for an outdoor wedding where locally sourced food and flowers are the focus.

We love the crisp and clean details of the Desert Skyline invitation suite. Bouquets of succulents and dried flowers arranged among rough wooded tables would complement this style beautifully.

Heartland is another favorite and best for the down-home country weddings we all dream about. We've seen lots of brides customize the colors and layout of this design, but it always stands out with some amazing farm-chic accessories.

 Big Day is one of our most popular suites, with its playful wording and simplistic hand-drawn icons, it's definitely a party starter. We've replaced the Golden Gate Bridge icon with other simple motifs, and it's still just as sweet!

We can't imagine a Cape Cod wedding without lots of nautical accompaniments. This maritime suite designed by Anne Smith was made just for our brides ready to wed by the ocean air.

A custom design gallery with all of our invitation suites is in the making, along with lots of brand new designs. Do you have a favorite style or wish we would create a wedding suite around a certain theme? Let us know in the comments!

All photos by Edyta Szyszlo

On Press: In the Jungle

So much time and care goes into every letterpress job at Hello!Lucky and we want to share what goes on behind the scenes.  This is the first in an ongoing series of posts detailing the unique process that combines paper and ink to create a handcrafted keepsake sure to make... an impression (oh yes we said it!).  This wild three-color invitation was taken on as job printing for one of our clients.

Registration is the alignment of different inks when printing and the crop marks on each edge act as guides for keeping those colors in the right place.

A stack of sheets on the feed table

A polymer plate is freshly inked and ready to add the third color, black.

"In the Jungle" was printed by James, and this week he is sporting his forest green teamster apron. Sharp!

The Lab Event - A Success!

We had a blast at The Lab Event last weekend and wanted to share a few pics of the jaw dropping vignettes that filled the barrel room at Cline Cellars.   Guests were able to stroll through these themed areas gathering ideas, inspiration and even some sweet treats like monogrammed cookies and (I-can't-believe-these-are-vegan) cupcakes!

One of our vignettes had a "Toasted Marshmallow" theme with warm brown tones, gold accents and plenty of rustic wood and twig textures.  The menus had a burlap-inspired pattern framing text and a floral sprig and was letterpressed on a recycled cotton card stock.  We're so happy with the way everything turned out, we plan to offer the entire suite on our website soon.  Stay tuned!

How cool is that chandelier?  Its made from branches, Christmas lights and a few Ikea light fixtures... someone please DIY and let us know how it turns out!

Jen Musty from Batter Bakery blew us away with all her delectable desserts like Meyer Lemon shortbread cookies and Key Lime tarts.

The lovely ladies from The Collection Event Studio, styled a fantastic booth full of vintage flair and wedding inspiration galore!

The best part of the project was meeting so many amazing and talented vendors that we can't wait to work with again!

New Wedding Designs Available Now!

Extra! Extra!  New wedding invitations hot off the press!  Whether your tastes gravitate towards romantic florals or preppy patterns, there's truly something for everyone in our new wedding suites.  A bunch of designs are still in the works (one just might be video game inspired!), but here's a sneak peak at a few inspiring invitations and sweet save the dates available online now!  Enjoy!

Midsummer Invitation and Save the Date

Fig Invitation and Save the Date

Featured: Food Network Magazine

It's not every day that a wedding and social stationery company makes an appearance in Food Network Magazine, but we were simmering with excitement when we saw our new We Belong card featured in the Food Network's roundup of delicious cards for "culinary lovebirds." Our team is constantly tasting new recipes from their magazine and television shows, and must admit, we're smitten by such a sweet recognition!

Calligraphy + Letterpress = Brilliance

What can we say? Michele Papineau has done it again. For her holiday cards this year, Michele hand wrote the lyrics to "I'll be home for Christmas" and we letterpress printed them in festive red ink. We just received a hand addressed card with a little note inside. It's so wonderful to be friends with such a talented artist! Thanks Michele!

Happy Holidays from all of us!

You may think that because we're a stationery company that we never face any uncertainty when choosing our own holiday cards. It actually takes lots of consideration to be sure we send the perfect card to our friends and colleagues. But we must admit, it was a seamless decision when we chose the design for our own holiday cards this year. Inspired by Susy Jack's Amazing New Year card, we transformed the digital version into a four color two-sided letterpress stunner.

For our special friends, we slipped in a package of digital/letterpress hybrid gift tags! They're suitable for any occasion, but think they'd be fabulous wrapped up with a festive bow or around a bottle of spirits or wine.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Hello!Lucky! We are so thankful for all of your support and friendship, and are looking forward to a bright and bustling 2012!

Lisa and Rory, Behind the Scenes!

Now that you've all seen the stunning photos of Lisa and Rory's wedding, we wanted to show you some exclusive behind-the-scenes images of our team putting it all together!

Above is the original proof that we created for Lisa and Rory's reception invitation. The two-sided letterpress invitations were printed on duplex paper (220lb) and hole-drilled for the balloon and ribbon attachments. Because Lisa and Rory already had such brilliant ideas, working with them was a cinch!

Their day-of materials were just as fun to assemble as their wedding invitations. The paddle program fans were die cut on our antique Heidelberg press, then attached one-by-one with wooden handles.

The pub sign table numbers and cheese markers were each cut out by hand, given tremendous care and patience! The tiny cheese markers looked dashing atop their cheese wheel cake. We see a new trend approaching!

Perhaps the most intricate and delicate piece we've created is the tiny silhouette "cake" topper, also cut out of paper by hand. And yes, it fit on a toothpick! It's the little details like this that make us love working on custom weddings.