The Bond Street Stationer

The social stationers of today have a rich history going back to the days when Bond Street in London provided the world with the finest printed stationery available. Of course, today the world is connected via social media websites. Still, it’s nice to have the option to send a message the old fashion way on the best stationery in the world from several of the leading providers.

The following is an excerpt from the Smythson’s site:

Frank Smythson opened his first shop on 29th September 1887 at 133 New Bond Street.

“During the days of Empire, Smythson also produced stationery for the Imperial Families of Japan, the Prince of Abyssinia, and the Governors of Bengal, Bombay and Madras. By far the most elaborate stationery was produced during the 1920s for the Maharajas of India; hand-bordered paper decorated with personal monograms engraved in gold, silver and rich colours with delicate mother-of-pearl in-lay.

Bespoke Stationery remains an important part of the business today. Smythson offer a range of watermarked papers in different weights and colours, milled exclusively in Scotland, and engraved using traditional methods. Such expertise in the field ensures that Smythson remains the stationer of choice for many royals and heads of state.”

Buy Cards -
Smythson social and business cards are printed on exclusively milled, watermarked board. Smythson cards are die-stamped, using an engraved die or copper plate -  the only correct technique for smart private stationery.

Our new on-line service allows you to experiment with different lettering styles, card and ink colours, add motifs, and personalize envelopes with printed details and tissue-lining.

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Interviewing a Modern Social Stationer

It’s funny how often what is referred to as “old fashioned” will become new and fashionable again. For example, the stationer of Bond Street in London played a significant role in advising individuals on the proper way to exchange social information with the “calling cards” of  yesterday.

Today, the “social stationer” continues to play a similar role by advising people on the best way to integrate their web-based social media and networking presence with the real ‘shake my hand’ world of physically networking. The result – the ‘Social Card” is born to fulfill this new requirement for successful networking.

The following is an excerpt of an interview with a modern social stationer:

“Over the last several months I have had several interesting conversations with Harriet Malmon, the vivacious owner of Francis-Orr in Corona del Mar, California. Ms. Malmon has some very definite ideas on the importance of business stationery and, in particular, the business card. Three weeks ago in New York, I had the opportunity to sit down with Harriet:

RM: Harriet, I know you have some definite ideas on business stationery. Would you care to share them with the StationersGuild?

HM: As an established stationer, we work with a number of local firms to design their business stationery. Many of these businesses have sought our advice because they were not entirely satisfied with their commercial printers. For the most part, the various components of their stationery didn’t work together – different fonts, design layouts, mismatched ink colors – and, in some case, their business cards were not even printed on a straight line. Our job, as a stationer, is to help the client develop a coherent design and select the paper and printing process that will lend credibility to the enterprise, regardless of its size.”

Links for purchasing social stationery

Social Networking Cards, Calling Cards – Purchase Links

Crane & Co-Personalized Calling Cards
Crane & Co., makers of fine cotton stationery since 1801, announces colorful additions to its popular line of personalized calling cards. They are the perfect personal introduction for those occasions when a business card is too business-like.

Style-Card
It’s a Social Networking Profile Card created by you for the purpose of sharing your details and your style. Let people get to know the real you – or the not-so-real you.

Moo-Business Cards
Your business isn’t like anyone elses, so why should your cards be? With MOO, every card can be different, allowing you to show your product range, your portfolio or your full list of services.

Get ‘em Girls-Social Calling Cards
Social calling cards are basically business cards for social people. So, if you’re attending a wine tasting and strike up an interesting conversation with the brother sipping Bordeaux and you’re trying to figure out a classier way to give him your information without putting it into his phone,

Social Cards-powered by 2GoTools
Welcome to your Social Cards Digital Storefront designed for ordering your customized social networking cards. These cards have the elegance of classic black copy on an ivory matte finish 16Pt thick card stock

Zazzle-Business Cards
Stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression with Zazzle custom business cards. Top notch quality at a great value. Design your own business cards, use a card template or grab your Linkedin profile to automatically create your original business card in seconds

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The Social Stationer’s – The New Calling Cards

The “Calling Cards” of yesterday are the “Social Cards” of today. The simple social card is a very effective way to add a very personal touch to the lives of social networkers, whether for career opportunities or just socializing. Calling cards have been re-purposed and are fast becoming the method of choice for handing out your linkedin or facebook address without having to write it on napkin, or worse, the back of somebody’s business card. So as the term “calling cards” slides into the sunset, Social Cards are leading the way for 21st century networking.

The following Time Magazine article sheds more light on this interesting twist for life on the web.

“In the 1800s, there was a certain logic–and a cool distance–to the formal calling card. Those who were part of, or sought a place among, the social élite would deliver a card with their name engraved on it to someone’s home to request a visit. But now that you can IM, e-mail or text pretty much anyone immediately, the Victorian practice seems laughably outmoded, right? Not so, according to a growing number of enthusiasts reviving the old-fashioned social-networking tool. “Is it technology fatigue? A colorful way of branding yourself?”

the article continues …

“For young job-hoppers, a calling card offers not only a sense of permanence but also a chance for self-expression. In June, Mitch Stripling, an emergency planner who recently moved to New York City, printed cards with cell-phone, e-mail and descriptor (”neo Victorian calling card thingy”) info for his 10-year college reunion in an effort to reconnect with people he knew he wouldn’t have a chance to speak with at length. “I wanted to get away from the whole status thing at reunions, so a business logo didn’t feel right,” says Stripling, whose card was a buzz-generating hit at Williams College. “Having my own little logo frees me up. It’s a way to be expressive of me outside of whatever job I happen to be doing at the time.”
Perhaps the biggest reason the cards have delighted jaded 21st century types is that they work. Says Stripling: “I can’t say for sure if it was the card or just the effects of a reunion, but I heard from around 30 people from school in the weeks after.” Some are even planning visits.”

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Welcome to the Social Stationer’s Journal

We plan to provide our fellow social networker’s with everything you need to know about the print and stationery world of social media and social networking. We hope you find our posts to be helpful and interesting. And, of course, we welcome your comments and participation as we explore this great social experiment together.