Stationery Matters Spring/Summer 2026

Spring/Summer 2026

Show 2026

The UK’s biggest stationery event just got bigger

Winning with Licensed Stationery

How character-driven products are capturing the younger market

Behind the Brand: Crayola

The creative journey behind a childhood favourite

The Rise of Japanese Stationery

Why British consumers are falling for quality and craft

Gen Z Gets Crafty

Young people turning to arts and crafts to unplug from screens

Stationery does matter

May is always an exciting month here at Stationery Matters, as we count down to London International Stationery Show (12 – 13 May) at the Business Design Centre in Islington, and National Stationery Week from 11 – 17 May.

This year, the show is even bigger than before, with over 200 brands. We’ve had to open up additional space in the galleries to accommodate the incredible lineup! Whether you’re a retailer on the hunt for the next big trend or a brand looking to make your mark, this year’s show promises to be a whirlwind of creativity, innovation and inspiration. Be sure to check out our show preview on pages 35-39

a more meaningful way.” Find out more on pages 25-27

Another hot topic in this issue is the growing demand for licensed stationery. Characterdriven products, from beloved preschool characters to iconic brands, are resonating strongly with consumers. We look at how this trend is influencing purchasing behaviour and what it means for the future of the market on pages 28-31

In this issue, we’ve got an exciting mix of features to get you geared up for the event and beyond. We take a look at the growing popularity of Japanese stationery here in the UK. British consumers are increasingly drawn to the quality, thoughtfulness and aesthetics behind Japanese brands. We speak to distributors, retailers and brands about this and explore how this trend is shaping the future of the market. Read more on pages 32-33 and don’t miss Stone Marketing’s director, Simon Stone, speaking about this topic at London International Stationery Show on Wednesday 13 May at 12pm.

We also have an exclusive interview with Michael Gutberlet, CEO of Kaweco, who will be speaking at the London International Stationery Show on Tuesday 12 May at 12pm. Michael shares his thoughts on the evolution of the brand and what’s next for this classic name in the stationery world. Don’t miss his insights on pages 22-23

In addition, we’re going Behind the Brand with Crayola, a name synonymous with creativity and fun. We delve into the company’s rich history, its ongoing commitment to innovation and how it continues to inspire generations of young artists (pages 18-19). Plus, we’ve got a retail profile of London Graphic Centre on pages 20-21 offering a glimpse into one of the capital’s leading stationery and arts supplies destinations.

Editor’s Comment

We’re also exploring the rise of analogue hobbies among Gen Z. With a desire to unplug from the digital world, young people are embracing activities like painting, drawing, journalling and other handicrafts. Hanna Reynolds, product buyer at Hobbycraft explains: “This generation is really leaning into slow creativity; that is, hobbies that encourage them to switch off, learn new skills and express themselves in

As always, we bring you the latest industry news, product launches, and market trends. Whether you’re preparing for the show or simply staying ahead of the curve, we’ve got you covered on pages 7-17

T HE ES SE NTIAL S

When: Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 June

Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1 0QH

Times: 9.30am-6pm on 2 June (1st night party ‘til 8pm) 9 30am-4 30pm on 3 June

Tel: +44 (0)7734 111633

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

Spotlight on German and Japanese stationery

Two charismatic speakers will take to the stage in the lunchtime keynote speaker slots on the Tuesday and Wednesday of London International Stationery Show (12–13 May) to speak about their personal journeys in the world of stationery.

First up on the Tuesday (12pm) will be Michael Gutberlet, the CEO of German writing instrument manufacturer, Kaweco He will speak not only about the Kaweco brand, exploring its rich history and future vision, but also share his personal journey in the industry and offer his perspective on where the sector is heading.

This will be the first time Michael has been to London International Stationery Show, and his first time speaking in the UK. Nikki Devine, managing director of Studio Pens, the UK distributor of Kaweco, added: “We have heard Michael speak at Kaweco events in Germany before, and his talks are always enlightening, entertaining and full of inspiration. Michael’s insights into both the Kaweco brand and the stationery industry as a whole are invaluable. We are excited for UK audiences to hear his thoughts firsthand.”

Then on the Wednesday (12pm) Simon Stone, managing director of Stone Marketing will speak about the remarkable growth in popularity of Japanese stationery across the UK over the past few years.

Simon’s passion for Japanese stationery goes back to the late 1980s when he started Stone Marketing and very soon took on the exclusive UK distributorship for Tombow. Since then Stone Marketing has added many more Japanese brands to its extensive fine writing and stationery portfolio including: MD Product, Midori, mt Masking Tape, Platinum, Traveler’s Company and most recently: Yup!, Iwako and Greeting Life Co.

Event manager for London International Stationery Show, Chantelle White added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have both Michael and Simon speaking at this year’s show. They each bring a unique perspective and deep-rooted passion for stationery to the stage. Having speakers of this calibre sharing their personal journeys and industry insights is a real highlight for us, and we’re excited for visitors to be inspired by their stories.”

London International Stationery Show, runs over May 12 – 13 at the Business Design Centre. Visitor registration is open at www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk and

Andhand introduces Britishmade fountain pen inks

Andhand fountain pens have always been supplied with refillable ink converters, encouraging a more considered and sustainable way of writing. The introduction of an ink range builds on this, offering a complete system designed for everyday use.

The collection begins with three core colours, forming a versatile foundation to be expanded gradually over time: waterfall blue, forest hill green and tunnel black. Made in the UK, each ink is formulated for a smooth, consistent writing experience. The inks are water-based, non-toxic, and acid-free.

“This felt like a natural next step for us,” said Simon Donald, co-founder of Andhand. “We wanted to create inks that sit comfortably alongside our pens — simple, dependable, and made to be used every day.”

See the new collection on stand G120.

free for retailers, buyers, dealers and other resellers of stationery. It is not open to the general public.

Jottbook Pur debuts from LEUCHTTURM1917

The new Jottbook Pur is a lightweight paper notebook with a stitched binding. It is available in eight classic LEUCHTTURM1917 cover colours, bringing a refined, timeless palette to this understated format.

A textured embossing on the cardboard cover reinforces its structure, enhances the vibrancy of the colours and gives the Jottbook Pur its pleasantly tactile feel. Inside, the trusted LEUCHTTURM1917 paper features numbered pages, with half of them perforated so individual sheets can be removed cleanly and effortlessly.

The Jottbook Pur will be available from early May and can be seen on stand M200.

12th -13th of May 2026

New Faces On Show TOP STORY

One of the best things about London International Stationery Show is the chance to see new brands, with many using the show as a launchpad for new products.

Among the first-time exhibitors this year

Batik Ying, Brave Toys EU, Colart UK, Esterbrook, Half Moon Bay, Hunter Price International, Katie Leamon, Osprey London, Rhino Stationery, Roomytown, Scriveiner, VENT for Change and Victorinox Retail (UK)

Mat Cuk Design (stand G290) will be showing its range of yearly, monthly, weekly calendars and undated planners, designed to be used on a wall, on a desktop and on the go. All of the products feature detailed typography, tactile paper, and pops of colour, for a timeless feel. Every product is an original, designed and crafted in founder, Matjaz Cuk’s London studio. “London International Stationery Show will be the first time my range of products will be presented as a whole. I look forward to meeting like-minded people who value great design and craftsmanship, as well as connecting with businesses that align with my values.”

Coming to the show from Switzerland is Emma Jackson, founder of Patterns by M.A (stand G122), with a range of hand-made stationery including notebooks, sketchbooks, drawing pads and planners, as well as pencils, erasers, magnets and postcards featuring original screen-printed patterns. “This is my first time I’m presenting

my work outside of Switzerland and I’m excited to introduce my handcrafted stationery to an international audience,” says Emma. “Visitors will get a close-up look at my patterns and products.”

Another newcomer is Dustykid (stand G292), an award-winning, well-being character brand dedicated to emotional resilience and self-acceptance from Hong Kong, now available in the UK. Tina Chan, the regional director says: “As first-time exhibitors, we are introducing the UK market to our unique ‘Soul Caring’ concept. We’ve identified a significant gap in the UK retail landscape for genuine well-being stationery that goes beyond surface-level aesthetics. At the show, we are debuting our signature collection of postcards and art prints designed to fill this void. Our goal is to empower retailers to bring emotional resilience to their shelves, offering customers a meaningful way to share comfort and mindfulness through the gentle, quiet companionship of the Dustykid character.”

stilform launches into UK retail market

Previously available online only, stilform will make its UK debut at London International Stationery Show, showcasing its award-winning collection.

Founded in 2013 in Germany, stilform set out to create designer writing instruments and accessories that unite emotion, function and

At the show, visitors will discover the new AEON ballpoint, a masterclass in minimalist design and engineering precision. It will appear alongside the Red Dot Awardwinning AEON sustainable design pencil, featuring its iconic eternal tip and an innovative magnetic mechanism that allows effortless tip replacement.

An exciting addition to the UK market, stilform can be found at

The sweet smell of stationery

For those that want to add another dimension to their journalling, Zebra Pen will be launching a new selection of Mildliner Fragrance highlighters at London International Stationery Show. This limited edition collection takes the benefits of the popular doubleended Mildliner highlighter markers and combines them with six distinctive floral and naturalistic scents, including soft cotton, citrus fruits and spicy woods. Visit Zebra on stand M500.

Top Tips To Make The Most of National Stationery Week

With National Stationery Week just around the corner (11 – 17 May), Karen Webber of Goodness Marketing (goodnessmarketing.co.uk) shares her top tips and ideas that retailers can easily implement to make the most of the buzz around National Stationery Week.

“National Stationery Week is a genuine gift for stationery retailers,” says Karen. “There’s already an audience out there actively searching for stationery content and looking for reasons to buy. You’re not building buzz from scratch, you’re plugging into something that already has momentum. But you still have to show up with a plan.”

Karen has come up with a five-step NSW marketing plan, which is deliberately simple:

THEME: Choose one emotional idea to lead your marketing for the week. Fresh Start, Get Organised, or Creative Joy are three that work well for stationery businesses. The theme isn’t about products, it’s about the feeling your

customer is buying into.

HOOK : Turn that theme into a one-sentence marketing message. The formula is simple: “It’s National Stationery Week, the perfect time to [your theme in action].” Clear, she says, always beats clever.

PRODUCTS : Select three to five products that support the theme and feel like they belong together. Restraint is key, too much choice and customers buy nothing. Think front table, not full catalogue.

PLACEMENT: Choose one channel and do it well. Whether that’s Instagram, email, a shop window, or — often overlooked — borrowing someone else’s audience through a collaboration or local press mention. One well-executed channel will likely outperform three halfhearted ones.

Ryman and London Graphic Centre support NSW

Ryman and London Graphic Centre are the joint headline supporters of National Stationery Week 2026, reinforcing their shared commitment to celebrating stationery and supporting the small businesses and independent brands that help the sector thrive.

Michael Errington, COO of Ryman, said: “At Ryman, we believe stationery has the power to inspire ideas, fuel creativity and help people grow their businesses. We’re incredibly proud to be a joint headline supporter of National Stationery Week 2026 and to celebrate the independent brands, entrepreneurs and small businesses that make the stationery world so vibrant.”

Michael Want, COO of London Graphic Centre said: “London Graphic Centre has

always been passionate about creativity in all its forms, and stationery is at the heart of that.

EASE : Remove every obstacle between a customer seeing your marketing and completing a purchase. Test your checkout on mobile. Link directly to your curated National Stationery Week products, not your homepage. Update your email signature. It’s not particularly fun or glamorous marketing, but it’s essential to helping your efforts convert.

Supporting independent brands, artists and designers is central to what we do, and we’re excited to help celebrate the creativity, innovation and joy that stationery brings to people’s lives.”

Throughout the week, Ryman and London Graphic Centre will be celebrating National Stationery Week in stores and online, helping to shine a spotlight on the creativity, innovation and passion that defines the stationery industry.

Castlegate Stationers becomes Snopake official partner

Snopake has officially launched its ReBorn range into independent retailer Castlegate Stationers, marking a significant step in the brand’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and support for the independent trade.

The ReBorn collection is the result of three years of development by Snopake, as the company works to transition its product lines away from virgin plastics. The range is manufactured entirely from postconsumer waste and is certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), awarded by The Textile Exchange. The packaging is also made from 100% recycled materials, reflecting the company’s wider ambition to ensure its portfolio is almost entirely shifted to certified recycled plastics.

The launch at Castlegate Stationers represents the first in-store rollout of the GRS-certified recycled filing collection, with the retailer also becoming Snopake’s

Online retailer takes on lease of shop in London

Independent online retailer, The Stationer has taken on the lease of a shop in Forest Hill, south east London.

Tessa Sowry-Osborne started The Stationer in 2016 as an online retailer of beautiful stationery from around the world. Over the years she has attended various markets and pop-up shops, but she has now taken on the lease of a shop in Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill, London.

“A shop has always been on the long term plan but I think if I waited until I was ready it would never happen,” Tessa said. “An opportunity for a relatively short (1.5 years) lease on a shop came up so I thought it was the perfect chance to give it a go.” The shop will open in June.

first official independent partner.

Castlegate director Nish Kanabar described the launch as a major success.

“There have been lots of conversations instore with customers about the extensive range, quality colours and credentials, and sales are really positive, as eco is one of our key areas of focus. We are honoured to have been selected to be the first partners in the independent sector to work with Snopake on this launch.”

Simon Fawke, director of Snopake added “Snopake’s shift to 100% recycled

Traveler’s Company reveals 20th anniversary sticker set

To commemorate its 20th anniversary, Traveler’s Company has created a Traveler’s notebook 20th anniversary customisation set. The set includes 11 types of stickers, a brass charm and brass clip commemorating the 20th anniversary, stamps and a history guide summarising the 20-year history of Traveler’s notebook. All of these items are housed in a tin designed to resemble a trunk.

Traveler’s Company is planning Traveler’s notebook 20th anniversary events starting in Tokyo in May 2026, followed by Seoul in June, Kyoto in July, and locations across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

materials for product and packaging really ties in with Nish’s commitment to reduce his carbon footprint and deliver sustainable products to his customers.

“This co-operation marks a new era of support for the independent trade from Snopake. We know retailers are looking for a strong story to tell their customers and partnering with an established brand really helps move the conversation away from just price and instead focus on quality and the products’ sustainability, while also ensuring value for money.”

Staedtler teams with Peppa Pig

The partnership will see the globally recognised preschool character join Staedtler’s Noris junior range, an established line of first colouring products designed for young children. The collection focuses on safe, easy-to-hold tools aimed at supporting early creative development.

Described by the company as a “natural fit,” Staedtler wrote on Linkedin: “Noris junior stands for safe, high-quality first colouring products that support children in discovering their creativity. Partnering with a beloved global preschool brand allows us to inspire even more young artists at the very beginning of their creative journey.”

Promoting Creativity

FOR 80 YEARS

As we celebrate eight decades of innovation, during which we’ve introduced some of the world’s favourite products for writing, drawing and designing we’re looking ahead to an exciting future in which we’ll continue to bring you and your customers brilliant new products to help promote original thinking and inspired ideas.

Thank you to all our customers for your

Pentel celebrates 80 years of business

Japanese writing instruments and art materials manufacturer Pentel is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, marking the milestone at London International Stationery Show with a showcase of new products alongside established favourites.

Founded in 1946 as Japan Stationery Co. Ltd. by Yukio Horie, the company began by trading stationery before quickly moving into manufacturing. Mr Horie anticipated a post-war surge in creative pursuits and focused on developing crayons and pastels, later inspiring the name Pentel – a blend of ‘painting’ and ‘pastel’.

Innovation has always been central to Pentel’s growth. In 1960, it introduced the world’s first push-button mechanical pencil, followed by the fibre-tipped Sign Pen in 1963. The pen gained international attention after being adopted by US President Lyndon

Tom’s Studios launches refillable highlighter

Following the launch of its Lumos fineliner alternative and the Wren writing pen, Tom’s Studio has introduced the Ori, a refillable highlighter.

Positioned as a reusable alternative to traditional highlighters, the Ori has been developed to work across multiple surfaces, from textbooks and notebooks to sketchbooks and studio work. The product delivers bold colours and can be refilled over and over again.

A key feature of the Ori is its interchangeable tip system. Users can choose from three tips: a highlighter tip for annotation and colourcoding, a bullet tip for everyday writing and organisation, and a brush tip aimed at lettering and visual journalling.

Johnson and was later used by NASA during a 1966 Gemini mission.

Further successes followed with the N50 permanent marker, the Ball Pentel rollerball and the P200 mechanical pencil. In later decades, Pentel continued to innovate with products such as the first valve-controlled correction pen and the Hybrid gel roller range.

In the 21st century, the launch of EnerGel established a new benchmark for quick-drying ink technology. In the UK, special editions have helped raise more than £2.48 million for charities including Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK.

Recent innovations include Hybrid DualMetallic pens, and the award-winning Mattehop and Floatune. Pentel has also expanded its Pentel Arts range, catering to artists and hobbyists with products including brush pens and manga sets.

The Works ceases online trading

Chief executive Gavin Peck said the move followed a detailed review of the business.

“We have reached this decision after a thorough assessment of the options available and are confident that focussing on our successful bricks-and-mortar business is the right step to reduce risk, improve operational clarity and support long-term profitable growth,” he said. “A website that enables customers to browse our products and seek inspiration will help to bring our brand to life and drive customers to our 500 stores.”

This transition will sharpen the Group’s focus on its core strength as a successful bricks-and-mortar retailer by simplifying its operating model, reducing operating costs and freeing up capital to invest in its growing and increasingly profitable store business.

Now, as Pentel Co. Ltd. enters its ninth decade the company has changed its corporate name (trade name) to Astrum Corporation. The Pentel name will be maintained as a business brand and will continue to operate globally without change.

New artwork by Supermundane at London Graphic Centre

A new series of in-store lightboxes feature a commissioned artwork by renowned artist Supermundane (Rob Lowe). This latest collaboration builds on the success of his iconic mural, installed in 2021, which has since become a recognised visual landmark in Covent Garden.

The design pays tribute to the creative ecosystem that defines London Graphic Centre, subtly highlighting key brands that have shaped the store’s history and evolution. As Supermundane explains, “I wanted to create this sense of movement that flows all the way around the shop, if you follow it, it creates a feeling of creativity.”

New branding for UOE Stores

Built on decades of operational experience and local trust, Stamp is the next chapter for UOE, which has traded in communities across the UK since 1983 and has grown into one of the country’s most visited retail networks.

A second shop featuring the new Stamp branding has opened in Thame, Oxfordshire. The opening follows on from London’s High Barnet outlet, which opened in February as the first new-look store. Work is underway on sites in Milton Keynes, Oxford, Cambridge, Leighton Buzzard, Reigate, Windsor and all across London.

Stamp will become a modern neighbourhood destination that blends essential everyday services - including in many of its stores, a full Post Office service - with a carefully curated range of stationery, greeting cards and gifts, all delivered in a contemporary, design led environment.

Elliot Jacobs, CEO of UOE, commented: “We believe the high street isn’t dying; it just needs businesses willing to invest in it properly. Stamp is built for life’s moments – the everyday ones as much as the big milestones. We’ve designed

stores that make those moments feel easier and more enjoyable, because that’s what people actually want from their local high street.”

Stationery Icons book to be revealed

Chris Leonard-Morgan’s keenly awaited book – Stationery Icons: 100 Brands that shape how we write, draw and create – will be revealed at London International Stationery Show.

Chris founded London International Stationery Show (or the Stationery & Office Products Show as it was known initially) nearly 20 years ago, and National Stationery Week in 2013. His new book, Stationery Icons is a 304 page, over-sized hardback coffee table book with the Foreword by Ryman owner Theo Paphitis.

“Stationery Icons is both an historical record and a cultural lens on an industry which continues to evolve” says Chris. “The book celebrates one of life’s most-loved products which sits at the centre of education, communication, creativity and now also wellbeing. It tells the story of stationery over the last 600 years and features 100 iconic stationery brands, more than half of which are over 100 years old themselves, which have helped shape and continue to redefine the category.”

See page 43 for a Q&A with Chris.

TOP STORY

NEWS IN SHORT

Christophe Archaimbault has stepped down from his position as CEO of Moleskine, in mutual agreement with the board of directors. To lead the next phase of Moleskine’s development, Laure Browne and Thomas Boucar have been appointed co CEOs.

Kaweco has come up with a brand-new glow-in-the-dark limited edition DIY Sport pen for 2026. The pen is available exclusively through bricks-and-mortar stationery retailers, reinforcing Kaweco’s commitment to physical retail and meaningful in-store experiences. Retailers across the UK will host the pen press at different points throughout the year, giving customers the chance to build their own glowing Sport fountain pen.

Turnaround Gifts has been appointed as the UK distributor for Troika, a German stationery and gift brand known for its design-led products. The agreement means Troika’s range will now be available to UK retailers through Turnaround Gifts, expanding the brand’s presence in the market.

Boxes of Curiosity

Few brands have the kind of emotional resonance that Crayola does. Behind the familiar yellow and green branding lies a business that has quietly evolved, adapting to shifting consumer habits, leading on product innovation, but never forgetting where its roots lie.

Founded in 1885 as Binney & Smith in Easton, Pennsylvania, the company introduced the Crayola name in 1903 with a modest box of eight crayons. That simple product would go on to define an entire category. Today, Crayola is a global creative brand powerhouse, spanning everything from traditional art tools to digital experiences and licensed product.

For Camilla MacQueen, marketing manager at Crayola UK, the brand’s enduring appeal comes down to something fundamental. “The legacy that touches millions of people of all ages, all backgrounds, and all vocations each year began with a simple box of crayons.”

confidence that comes from a brand synonymous with quality, washability and less mess.

“As one of the most beloved and trusted brands in the world, Crayola is committed to nurturing creativity as a lifelong journey,” says Camilla. “From sparking a child’s first artistic adventure, to inspiring adults to embrace their creative spirit, the brand encourages individuals of all ages to explore, discover, celebrate and connect through the joy of making.”

Walk down any stationery aisle and you’ll find the familiar yellowand-green Crayola packs, but there’s a wave of innovation reshaping the category.

durability and creativity in a way that resonates across ages.”

Meanwhile, Color Wonder, with its mess-free, magic ink, is a staple for parents seeking stress-free creative play. “Color Wonder is a hero for families seeking mess-free, kid approved creativity,” says Camilla. “It offers a stress free solution during busy summer and early term periods when parents are looking for simple, screen free, independent creative activities.”

everybody.

That sense of legacy is carefully balanced with a forward-looking mindset. While crayons remain an essential part of the business, Crayola has continued to innovate with products designed to inspire colourful self-expression, deliver unfettered creativity, and give families the

One of the brand’s biggest recent launces is its Clicks range, a cap-free marker designed for modern, on-thego use. “No more lost caps or driedout markers, Clicks offer a retractable design paired with special ink formulated to resist drying out,” Camilla explains. “They bring together convenience,

For families looking for a complete creative project, Crayola’s washable deluxe paint kits offer excellent value with “all in” formats that include everything needed in one box. These sets are ideal for gifting, holiday activities and creative top ups throughout the year.

Alongside new launches, heritage products continue to perform strongly. Super Tips, particularly in pastel shades, have found a new audience among older children and teens drawn to softer, more aesthetic colour palettes. Traditional crayons and coloured pencils remain anchors of the range, prized for their durability and value.

While Crayola’s core audience remains children aged 2–14, its reach is broader than ever. Parents, educators and increasingly adults themselves are all part of the brand’s ecosystem.

“Across all groups, our mission is the same: to help parents and educators raise creatively alive children by making creativity accessible, joyful, and part of everyday life,” Camilla explains.

That mission is now extending more deliberately into the adult market. Later this year, Crayola will launch All Grown Up, a range of alcohol-based markers and colouring

books designed for older users. “All Grown Up invites adults to rediscover the joy of colouring, that same uninhibited creative satisfaction they experienced as children,” says Camilla.

The creative play category has shifted significantly in recent years, shaped by everything from social media aesthetics to concerns about screen time. Crayola has been closely tracking these changes.

“We continue to see a powerful pull towards products that spark joy, self-expression and sensory delight,” Camilla notes.

In the UK, three trends stand out: aesthetic appeal, the power of collectability and a desire for simple, screen free creative moments.

Aesthetic trends remain incredibly strong, with pastels leading the way across pens, markers and creative tools. “It’s why ranges like Super Tips pastels continue to grow, they appeal across ages, work for schoolwork, and tap directly into the soft colour

COMMITMENT TO UK AND IRELAND

is increasing its commitment in the UK and Irish markets with the goal of doubling its business

the next three years and acting as a key growth engine for the European region.

Marking the beginning of its three-year strategic plan in the UK and Ireland, Crayola opened a new UK office in Woking, Surrey, creating 23 new jobs as of January 2026.

Crayola is prioritising and re-establishing its direct trading relationships with retailers in the UK and Ireland to help broaden visibility and availability of its products in-store, giving more children access to its full range of creative tools. Direct relationships with retailers also will help establish strategic partnerships to bring compelling innovation to market.

To deepen the brand’s relationship with consumers, Crayola is making a significant investment to extend its creative content to more UK and Irish consumers.

Pete Ruggiero, CEO of Crayola, said: “We believe that every child in the UK and Ireland should have the chance to create, explore, and imagine without limits. Our 2026 roadmap backs that belief with real investment: tools, resources, and programmes that enable creative moments and allow children to reach their potential.”

HOT ON SUSTAINABILITY

Crayola invests in 100% renewable energy from solar power for US manufacturing, enough to make over 3 billion crayons, 700 million markers, and 120 million jars of paint a year.

Most Crayola coloured pencils are made from wood that is reforested in an 8,288-hectare pine farm where 300,000 seedlings are planted each year.

Crayola redesigned the Broad Line markers over the past 10 years to save an estimated two million pounds of plastic versus the previous design.

palettes that are trending globally,” notes Camilla. “Alongside colour, we’re seeing the continued rise of collectable ball style formats which still drive impulse purchases thanks to their unboxing appeal and pocket money price points.”

Sensory play also remains a major driver, with slime and tactile textures holding their place as reliable favourites. These products offer a hands on, calming experience that resonates with children looking for something engaging and parents looking for activities that feel constructive.

There is a growing desire for screen free creativity. “Families aren’t rejecting digital, they’re simply looking for balance,” says Camilla. “Mess-free creativity remains a major priority for parents, especially during school holidays, when families are looking for simple, independent activities that keep children engaged without devices. This is where Crayola’s broader Color Wonder mess-free creative portfolio performs strongly.”

Over the next 12 to 18 months, Crayola’s priorities are clear: build on innovation while expanding its audience. “We’re bringing fresh energy, exciting innovation, and real support to parents, teachers, and kids who are hungry to create,” rounds up Camilla.

in pastel are proving to be popular.

LEFT: Clicks is the new cap-free range out this year.

BELOW: Licensed collaborations help extend Crayola’s audience.

BELOW: Workshops

London Graphic Centre (LGC) has long been a destination for artists, designers and stationery lovers. The business continues to evolve and grow, despite the challenging retail landscape, by keeping creativity at the heart of the business.

London Graphic Centre opened in 1973 as a specialist art materials shop, originally in Long Acre, moving a few blocks to its present site in Shelton Street in 1996. Located in the heart of Covent Garden, it is part of a neighbourhood defined by culture, design and independent voices. Over the years it has grown into a place where stationery, craft and creative practice sit side by side. It was acquired by the Theo Paphitis Retail Group in 2016. At the centre of its story is a clear commitment to creativity in all its forms, something that, according to chief operating officer, Michael Want, continues to resonate strongly with customers. “Despite the economic pressures of the past few years, we’ve seen steadily rising footfall, excellent customer engagement and a clear appetite for quality creative tools across all budgets,” he says.

The art of retail

While consumer spending has been cautious across the board, Michael notes that customer behaviour is evolving, but not necessarily declining. “We’re definitely seeing a blend of behaviours. Some customers are more considered in their spending, and that’s why we’ve made sure our ranges stay inclusive, great quality at every price point, so everyone can engage creatively.”

At the same time, the store’s position in one of London’s busiest retail and tourist districts continues to play a significant role. “Being a destination store in Covent Garden, we also see a large number of

international visitors, and they tend to shop more freely, exploring brands and products they can’t get at home. The balance between the two has kept the store lively and trading really well.”

Footfall has been on a steady upward trajectory. “With LGC becoming a flagship destination for brands like Leuchtturm1917, Rhodia and Shachihata, new workshop formats, and the relaunch of our print shop, customers are discovering new reasons to visit and engage with the store,” Michael says.

This constant evolution is central to the business’s appeal. “Customers are increasingly looking for an

A LAUNCHPAD FOR BRANDS

Over the years many brands have used LGC to launch new products and ranges. Earlier in 2026, Shachihata hosted a stamp rally to celebrate the launch of its stamps and ink in the store. The event allowed customers to explore Shachihata’s innovative stamp range through a dedicated stamp rally and try-it stations, encouraging visitors to test, play, and experiment with different stamping techniques.

SUCCESS FOR STUDENT DAYS

Perhaps nowhere is London Graphic Centre’s experience-led approach more visible than in its successful Student Days, held each year in October.

“Last year’s Student Days were our biggest ever, in fact, they became the most successful Student Days in the company’s history,” says Eva Kirilof, marketing manager. “The store was buzzing non-stop for two full days, a real celebration of creativity and community.

“A big part of the success came from the strength of our workshops and hands-on activities, led by long-standing brand partners such as Caran d’Ache, Pentel, Liquitex, Leuchtturm1917 and Freitag

“The atmosphere was lifted even further by the amazing goodie bags, all made possible by our wonderful brand partners, the enthusiasm, energy, and expertise of our shop-floor team, and the sheer effort behind the scenes. Student Days require countless hours of coordination across all departments over the year, and seeing the store filled with students who came to discover, learn, and simply enjoy the LGC experience made it all worthwhile.”

experience,” Michael explains. “They enjoy being surprised and discovering something new with each visit, whether it’s materials, formats, or brands. It’s less about one price point or category, and more about keeping the store engaging and inspiring.”

Stationery, in particular, is one of the standout categories, appealing across all age groups. Japanese brands in particular have been in high demand, especially within the journalling community, where their quality, attention to detail, and unique designs are highly valued.

“Beyond practicality, notebooks, pens, stickers, and organisational

tools are turning LGC into a space where creativity and community come together,” says Michael. “With a constantly evolving product range and regular new releases, the store feels alive, customers are always discovering something fresh, experimenting, and connecting.”

Among newer ranges, products from the Far East have proved particularly successful. This category has seen consistent month-on-month growth, and it’s clear our customers are drawn to products that feel considered, beautifully made and inspiring to use.

Alongside this, more accessible, playful categories have also surged. “We’ve seen a huge lift in stickers and personalisation items,” Michael notes. “Expanding this category has really paid off, with customers embracing products that allow them to customise journals, sketchbooks, planners and even everyday objects.”

In a crowded and competitive retail market, London Graphic Centre’s strength lies in its genuine commitment to creativity. It is not simply a shop, but a space where creativity is actively encouraged and supported.

“Retail is undeniably challenging, but we’re more than a store, we’re a destination,” says Michael. “Customers come to us because they know they’ll find one of the most carefully curated ranges of art, stationery and specialist brands in the UK, alongside a team who truly knows their craft.

At the same time, the business has remained agile, investing in areas that enhance the customer experience. From expanded Japanese stationery ranges to personalised embossing services such as that from Leuchtturm1917, the focus is on adding value in ways that feel meaningful.

“Whether it’s hosting hands-on workshops, supporting emerging artists through the LGC x Theo Paphitis Art Prize, or partnering closely with brands to offer exclusive activations, we keep the in-store experience vibrant and relevant,” Michael explains.

As the retail sector continues to evolve, London Graphic Centre is approaching the future with a blend of optimism and pragmatism, as Michael explains: “There’s always an element of caution in retail, but our foundations are strong and we’re focused on building steadily, not just chasing growth, but making it sustainable.”

Growth, he believes, will come from deepening our brand partnerships, expanding key product categories - particularly where creativity and self-expression intersect - and delivering more value through services like print and customisation

While online will continue to play a role, the physical store remains central to the brand’s identity. “For us, it’s the in-store experience that sets us apart,” he says.

FAR

BELOW: A full range of artists’ materials from Faber-Castell.

Reviving a classic!

Kaweco is a name synonymous with heritage and authenticity. At the centre of its modern revival is CEO Michael Gutberlet, whose personal journey with the brand is as intertwined with nostalgia as it is with entrepreneurial resilience. Stationery Matters caught up with Michael ahead of his keynote talk at London International Stationery Show this year.

New

and

Kaweco’s history dates back to 1883, when it was established as Heidelberg Dip Pen Factory. When Ludwig Koch and Rudolf Weber took over in 1899, the company was renamed Kaweco. The company introduced many innovative designs over the early 1900s, but perhaps its most famous is the Kaweco Sport, introduced in 1911. It was something special: a pocket fountain pen that, when closed, measured only 10.5cm, making it easy to carry, but grew to a normal size when the cap was posted. At the time, the pen was marketed especially to the upper classes in evening attire and to sportsmen. That’s why it was given the name ‘Sport’. The company thrived in the 1950s and 1960s, but the 1970s

brought hard times, with growing competition from mass produced writing instruments and finally in 1980 Kaweco closed. This might have been the end of the Kaweco story, but thanks to Michael Gutberlet, it wasn’t. Michael Gutberlet’s connection to Kaweco began in the 1960s. “In 1960 my father, Horst Gutberlet, founded his own company selling refills, ballpoint pen mechanisms, metal tubes and plastic components in southern Germany, with Kaweco among his customers,” he explains. After he finished school, Michael worked at a metal factory in Nuremberg which made pen tubes for Lamy, Montblanc, Pelikan and others. “This training helped with the transition to working for my father’s business later on.”

It was at a flea market in the early 1980s that the journey that would eventually lead to taking on Kaweco started. “At a flea market in Nuremberg, I found an old, gold-plated safety pen from Italy,” recalls Michael. “I gave this to my father as a birthday present. This sparked a passion for

collecting, and over the years we amassed hundreds of old writing instruments.

“In the early 1990s, the family business was thriving in component manufacturing, supplying major names in the stationery industry. However, the limitations of that model became increasingly clear,” says Michael. “We were constantly dependent – on the one hand on our customers, who wanted specific parts at specific prices, and on the other hand on our suppliers and partners, who often dictated everything to us.”

Seeking independence, the family turned to its own collection. “So one day we laid out our collection on a large conference table and asked ourselves: ‘What could we revive? What would be new because it has long been forgotten?’” Among the many pieces, one stood out: the compact pocket fountain pen. “The pocket fountain pen caught our eye, and out of 10 different models from various manufacturers, the Kaweco Sport stood out in particular.”

At the time, the category had all but disappeared from the market. “Kaweco had manufactured pocket fountain pens from 1930 to 1980. We didn’t know the exact details at that point. But if a product range or category had been part of a company’s range for 50 years, we thought it must be good. At that time, there were no longer any pocket fountain pens on the market. So we chose the Kaweco design, the octagonal model from the 1930s. A few months later, we were also able to secure the brand.”

Central to Kaweco’s success has been its commitment to authenticity and listening carefully to its market. Michael recalls a formative moment during product development: “I presented a study/prototype of a modern Kaweco Dia to a specialist retailer and he said ‘That’s not a Kaweco; I don’t see it here.’ When I asked: ‘What do you expect from Kaweco?’, he replied: ‘The old Kaweco, the old designs. That’s the Kaweco DNA we want.’ I’m very grateful for that. That direction, among other things, laid the foundations.”

Rebuilding Kaweco was not without its challenges. Michael is candid about the difficulties of reintroducing a legacy

brand into a sceptical market. “The hardest part was actually convincing specialist retailers to stock our products,” he recalls. One interaction, in particular, has stayed with him: “I still remember one retailer who visited us at Paperworld in Frankfurt and said, word for word: ‘Mr Gutberlet, if you’re still here in 10 years’ time, then I’ll buy from you.’ My reply was: ‘If every retailer thinks like that, Kaweco will soon be history again.’ This was around year 2000.”

Despite such resistance, Micahel and his team persevered. When asked about his proudest achievements, he points not to a single product or milestone, but to a mindset. “There are certainly some specific achievements, but what I’m most proud of is that we never gave up. Even when things got tough, we always believed we would succeed.”

Looking ahead, Michael anticipates significant shifts in the global stationery landscape. The rise of direct-toconsumer models and emerging manufacturing hubs will reshape competition. “I think the question here is more likely to be: where will products come from in 5 to 10 years’ time?” he says. “Online retail is a direct B2C market. A manufacturer can therefore supply end customers from every corner of the world. China and India are huge markets. A huge number of producers have also emerged there, who at some point will want to supply Europe too.”

DON’T MISS MICHAEL’S TALK

Michael will be one of the keynote speakers at London International Stationery Show He will speak not only about the Kaweco brand, exploring its rich history and future vision, but also share his personal journey in the industry and offer his perspective on where the sector is heading. He will also take questions from the audience at the end of his talk. He will be talking on Tuesday 12 May at 12pm.

consolidation within the industry. “This will probably affect the simpler products. Further contraction of the industry is possible; here, it will certainly depend on how innovative the industry remains and how strong the brands are,” predicts Michael.

For Kaweco, differentiation does not come from chasing trends, but from staying true to its instincts and its audience. “We don’t try to be different for the sake of it,” Michael explains. “Our ideas tend to come from our gut instinct, our thoughts, our communication with our fans, or from the ongoing research that our technical, marketing, design and management teams are constantly engaged in, or even from a spontaneous idea, for example when a new material comes to light. That’s when we start building the first prototypes.”

Such developments could lead to increased pressure on lower-end products and potential

As for the future, Michael’s optimism is grounded in people as much as products. “I’m delighted with our fantastic team at Kaweco. They put their heart and soul into their work,” he says. He also points to the next generation of leadership: “I’m also delighted that my two children, Christiane and Sebastian, take great pleasure in Kaweco and, together with our long-standing colleague Sandra Tesar, form a brilliant management team.”

With new products already in development and a strong foundation in place, Kaweco appears wellpositioned for continued growth and Michael’s closing remark underscores a philosophy that has guided the company’s revival from the beginning: “If our team and I are happy, then our partners and our loyal fan base will be happy too.”

Crafty Gen Z

In a world defined by constant connectivity, Gen Z is fuelling a ‘slow creativity’ counter-movement. Across the UK’s arts and crafts sector, suppliers and retailers are reporting a resurgence in analogue hobbies among Gen Z, from painting and journalling to model making and handicrafts.

This appetite for ‘slow creativity’ is emerging as a defining characteristic of Gen Z, as Hanna Reynolds, product buyer at Hobbycraft explains: “This generation is really leaning into slow creativity; that is, hobbies that encourage them to switch off, learn new skills and express themselves in a more meaningful way.

“At Hobbycraft, we’re seeing a real shift among Gen Z towards hands-on, mindful hobbies that offer a break from screen time and a chance to create something tangible,” she continues. “Model making has become one of our standout growth areas, with more young people embracing the detail and sense of achievement it brings. At the same time, traditional crafts like crochet and painting are enjoying a huge resurgence, driven by their calming, therapeutic benefits and the ability to personalise creations.”

Suppliers are seeing this translate directly into sales. At Colart UK, general manager Anthony Taylor notes: “We’re seeing clear growth driven by Gen Z, particularly in more accessible and versatile categories. Products like markers, acrylics and creative sets are acting as key entry points. Formats such as the new

Liquitex Marker, alongside accessible paint ranges like Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic are bringing new consumers into the category and encouraging them to trade up over time.”

But beyond product, the appeal runs deeper. “For Gen Z, creativity is closely linked to wellbeing and self-expression,” Anthony says. “In an always-on digital world, handson creative activities offer a way to switch off while also creating something personal. It’s not just about making - it’s about identity, mindfulness and sharing creativity with others.”

This connection between creativity and mental wellbeing is echoed by Lawrence Savage, marketing manager at Zebra Pen UK. He highlights the lasting impact of the pandemic on younger consumers.

“With so many having to go through the covid pandemic during such a critical time of their lives, it’s no wonder that almost a third of Gen Z members list participation in crafts and creative hobbies as being fundamental to ensuring their overall mental wellbeing.”

Lawrence has noticed a surge in journalling, with products like gel pens and highlighters finding a new

audience. “Increases in stationery used for creative arts is largely driven by Gen Z and millennial consumers, which is reflected by the growing number of those groups interacting with our social media tutorials, as well as attending in-person workshops.”

In fact, while analogue hobbies offer a break from digital, social media remains a powerful driver of these exact hobbies. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are amplifying creativity by creating communities where ideas, techniques and inspiration are shared at scale.

Jess Way, designer at Jakar International describes these platforms as “spaces where creativity is shared, supported, and encouraged. This helps make creativity feel accessible rather than intimidating, contributing to its growing appeal.” She notes that Gen Z values authenticity over overt marketing: “Gen Z users tend to promote products organically, sharing what they genuinely enjoy rather than what is heavily marketed, making authenticity key.”

This blend of offline activity and online community is helping to reshape purchasing behaviours. Jess highlights growing demand for brands that balance quality, affordability and ethics, noting increased interest in Rosa Gallery paints. “Feedback suggests that part of the appeal lies in the fact it’s a Ukrainian brand, and moral purchasing has more influence

in the Gen Z age group,” she explains. Affordability and versatility is another major factor influencing product development. Retailers are adapting in-store experiences to meet these needs, creating clearer entry points and more engaging environments. The goal is no longer simply to sell products, but to invite consumers into the creative process.

Jessica Plunkett, marketing head at Shachihata EU sees this shift reflected in the growing popularity of journalling tools and creative markers. “We’ve definitely seen growing interest from Gen Z, particularly across the Artline creative and journalling ranges. There’s a real

TREND WATCH: COLLAGE MAKING

Sticking and gluing is not just for toddlers and preschoolers. It is finding a new audience with adults as a creative outlet. Laura Goossens, founder of Goose Glitters has been hosting vintage collage workshops for over five years and in that relatively short time, has seen a change in her guests. “The younger generations (Gen Z, some early Alpha) have discovered analogue ways of expressing themselves, with collage being one of them. I believe it’s the desire for something physical, anti-digital, and the craving of slow, mindful, intentional ways of creating over the fast and endless options digital tools give us.”

appetite for products that support self-expression, especially away from screens. Creativity is such an important outlet, and we’re seeing more people actively making time for it.”

Traditional needlecrafts are also seeing renewed interest among younger consumers. Jo Lochhead, founder of The Crafty Kit Company, reports growing demand for accessible, small-scale projects. “While our kits have always appealed to people of all ages, Gen Z customers are increasingly discovering traditional crafts like cross stitch and embroidery. Small, satisfying projects seem to be especially popular. Our Mini Matchbox Cross Stitch Kits are a great example, they’re affordable, portable and can be finished in a few hours. Embroidery and cross stitch are both having a real resurgence because they’re beginner-friendly and don’t require a lot of specialist equipment.”

Another traditional craft seeing a resurgence is batik. Batik Ying’s craft kits make this craft genuinely doable for anyone with no experience needed. “Gen Z are drawn to batik as something tactile, something that can’t be undone with Ctrl+Z, and something that can slow down their pace of life,” says founder, Shirlyn Low Ying. “Gen Z are curious about heritage crafts and conscious about where things come from. Batik has centuries of history behind it, and making it feels like participating in something rather than just consuming it.”

For many in the industry, the most significant misconception about Gen Z is that their engagement is superficial or trend-driven. In reality, the opposite appears to be true.

“For Gen Z, crafting is less about chasing ‘social hits’ and more about self-expression, mindfulness, and finding moments of connection in an otherwise fast-paced, digital world,” says Jess from Jakar International.

TREND WATCH: ZINE MAKING

Zines are small, handmade, self-published magazines. Often made from folding an A4 paper sheet into eight and making copies by photocopying, the point of zines is that they can be about whatever you want. “You can make a zine so quickly, easily and with low cost or free materials you already have lying around,” says Kia Marie-Hunt, founder of Kia Creates. “Zine makers trading and swapping their zines with other makers has always been part of zine culture. It’s not only really wholesome but I think it might be part of why it is popular too, think of other trends like snail mail swaps and trinket trade boxes: trading culture is back and that makes me so happy.”

Shachihata’s Jessica agrees, adding that the notion of Gen Z as purely novice creators is outdated: “In reality, they are highly experimental and capable of producing incredibly skilled work. There is a real depth here that goes far beyond trends.”

These insights point to a sustained evolution rather than a passing phase. As Anthony from Colart sums up, “We see this as a long-term shift. Creativity is not just a hobby; it’s a way of reconnecting with themselves in a digital age.”

LEFT: A proud maker of a batik piece from Batik Ying.

LEFT: A zine can be about anything you want. FAR LEFT: Creators like Caran d’Ache brand ambassador, Viola Hortová (@viola.artstudio) are active on social media inspiring people to give art a go.

The power of brand

The licensed stationery and arts and crafts sector is continuing to grow at pace. Across the sector, suppliers and retailers are all seeing strong performance, with licensed products evolving from simple character-led designs into complete lifestyle and gifting collections.

Consumers are increasingly looking to express their identity through the products they use every day, and stationery has become a highly accessible way to do that.

For Charlie Czul, director at Portico Designs, this growth reflects a deeper cultural shift. “We’ve seen consistent growth in licensed stationery and creative products, driven largely by the continued strength of fandom culture and the blending of lifestyle and entertainment brands. In particular, the rise of ‘romantasy,’ wellness-led journalling and nostalgiadriven purchasing has created strong tailwinds for licensed ranges.”

This idea of emotional connection is echoed across the sector. Yasmin Snowdon, marketing and content creator at Half Moon Bay, points to the personal resonance that licensed designs bring. “Consumers are increasingly looking for products that feel more personal and meaningful, and licensed designs offer that added layer of connection. Licensed brands tap into nostalgia and emotion, which is incredibly powerful.”

For younger audiences in particular, licensed stationery plays a unique role. Lisa Shand, managing director of Blueprint Collections highlights the importance of collectability and engagement: “In the tween age demographic, stationery is collectable and multiple licensed characters help build this. In the younger age groups, licensed characters help children to engage with the activities.” This dynamic not only drives initial purchases but encourages repeat buying as collections expand.

Across the board, certain licenses are proving especially powerful. Half Moon Bay reports strong performance from heritage brands, with Yasmin noting: “We’re seeing particularly strong performance from nostalgic, well-loved brands such as Paddington, Wallace & Gromit and Moomin. These are timeless household names that customers already have an emotional connection with, which translates really well into stationery.”

It’s Disney’s Stitch for IG Design Group, with Katie Brickle, marketing manager commenting: “It’s standout for us at the moment. It continues to perform consistently well across categories, translating particularly effectively into both stationery and creative play formats. We’re also launching new ranges for Sonic and Toy Story 5, combining strong recognition with opportunities to explore new formats and creative direction.”

Similarly, Lisa from Blueprint Collections points to evergreen favourites and trend-led brands as its best performing, including Pokemon, Bluey, Hello Kitty and Squishmallows

And it’s the same for Robert Frederick, with Heather Dagless pointing to the importance of trusted, evergreen brands. “Our licensing programme continues to grow, with a focus on heritage and evergreen characters that appeal to a wide range of customers. We’ve seen particularly strong growth from popular characters such as The Gruffalo and Paddington,

highlighting strong customer demand for these trusted brands.”

At a broader level, David Harrison, licensing director at Pyramid International, identifies a balance between established and emerging brands as key to sustained growth: “We have seen consistent growth in recent years, particularly within stationery. This has been driven by a strong mix of established brands that provide a solid foundation for retailers, alongside newness and innovation that keeps ranges relevant.”

He adds that younger consumers are currently leading the charge: “Within stationery, growth is currently being driven by younger consumers, where character-led products play a key role. Licences such as Minecraft, Mario and Stitch perform strongly by bringing familiarity and excitement to everyday products.”

Meanwhile, Allana Holmes, commercial director at Hunter Price International, highlights the

broader cultural and behavioural trends supporting growth in the category: “Helping drive this growth are the strong continuing global shifts towards mindful and wellnessled activities, alongside a growing appetite for screen-free creativity. Licensed stationery and arts and crafts sit perfectly at the intersection of those trends, creating significant opportunities for meaningful, brand-led collaborations.”

From a retail perspective, licensed stationery offers clear commercial advantages. Its ability to attract attention, drive impulse purchases and increase basket spend makes it a valuable category in-store. Portico Designs’ Charlie explains: “Licensed stationery is a powerful tool for retailers because it operates across multiple purchase drivers. Firstly, it attracts a highly engaged audience, fans will actively seek out products linked to brands they love, which can drive footfall. Secondly, it encourages

cross-category purchasing. A customer coming in for a book or gift can easily be converted into a multi-item basket through complementary licensed stationery, increasing overall transaction value.”

David Byk, CEO of The Great British Card Company (GBCC), agrees, emphasising both differentiation and perceived value: “In a competitive market, licensed designs offer clear differentiation. While many suppliers can produce generic floral or geometric patterns, access to exclusive, recognisable and premium designs helps to set our products apart, and in a way that’s very difficult for competitors to replicate.”

He also notes the impact on pricing and margins: “Our products featuring familiar and beloved licenses are often perceived as more valuable. Consumers associate these brands with quality, nostalgia or trendsetting, which can justify higher price points and lead to stronger margins.”

Impulse purchasing is another key strength of the category, with Pyramid International’s David noting: “Licensed stationery combines everyday necessity with emotional engagement. By aligning ranges with key moments such as film releases and series launches, retailers can drive footfall and in-store excitement. Formats such as pens and notebooks naturally lend themselves to impulse purchase, particularly when supported by clip strips and licensed countertop displays.”

Katie from IG Design Group, reinforces the importance of execution. “Licensed stationery works commercially because it gives consumers an immediate reason to engage, but the real impact comes from how well that licence is translated into product. It’s not just about applying a character to a notebook, it’s about developing something that feels appropriate to the licence, whether that’s through format, design direction or how the range works together.”

Looking ahead, new launches and collaborations are set to drive future growth. Blueprint Collections’ Lisa is excited about the company’s The Traitors launches for autumn, while David from GBCC picks out the company’s launch of Sophie Allport stationery and gifts as the one to watch.

Hunter Price International recently announced its new partnership with the LEGO Group which “is a standout moment for us, with our debut collection landing at retail very soon. It’s an iconic brand with enormous creative potential in this space,” according to Allana.

Licensed stationery is no longer just an add-on category. It has become an important part of the wider stationery and gifting market, blending creativity, emotion and commercial appeal. As consumer demand for meaningful, design-led products continues to grow, licensing will remain a key part of the category’s development in the years ahead.

What’s new in licensed stationery?

Zog notebook

Robert Frederick

Robert Frederick has recently expanded its Zog stationery collection to include a brand-new Scaly Zog notebook. It has a textured PU cover and features the loveable Zog character artwork and embroidered text. It’s a fun way to encourage little Zog fans to practice writing and express their creativity. robert-frederick.co.uk

Sara Miller collection

Portico Designs

Award-winning lifestyle brand Sara Miller London proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of bringing colour, sophistication, and luxury to the everyday. To celebrate, Portico Designs is launching a 16-piece collection including luxury travel items, essential stationery pieces, playing cards and a puzzle porticodesigns.com

K-Pop Demon Hunters back to school range

Pyramid International

The new K-Pop Demon Hunters range is already gaining momentum as one of the fastest-growing licences, offering bold, expressive designs that resonate with trend-led shoppers. Key product in the back to school range include erasable gel pens, stationery sets, notebooks and accessories. pyramidinternational.com

Paddington Bear collection

Half Moon Bay

Sophie Allport collection

Great British

Card Company (GBCC)

Sophie Allport is an entirely new licence for GBCC. The products in the range include a selection of A5 notebooks, a stationery set, a B5 wire bound notebook, a set of three A6 notebooks, a magnetic list pad, a boxed set of three pens, a password book, a zip pouch and a branded pre-filled CDU of pocket notebooks with a magnetic clasp featuring six different designs. greatbritishcards.co.uk

As part of the latest launch, Half Moon Bay as added novelty sandwich-shaped notebooks, Paddington-topped metal pens and charming shaped bookmarks. These additions build on the appeal of the range, while introducing fresh, playful formats that work well for both gifting and everyday stationery, and give retailers something a bit different to showcase in-store. halfmoonbay.co.uk

The Traitors collection

Blueprint Collections

The Traitors range is available from August and includes a journal, quill pen, letter writing set, chalk board, pencil case, keyring, pin badges, water bottle, beaker and straw, photo frame and a notebook and pen set.

Luxury gold-foiled notebook.

blueprintcollections.co.uk

Toy Story 5 range

IG Design Group

LEGO colouring books

Hunter Price International

The first products from this new collaboration will be the Let’s Colour Together series. The collection features engaging colouring and sticker books designed to inspire imaginative play while allowing young fans to interact with their favourite LEGO themes and characters. hunterprice.co.uk

With excitement building for Toy Story 5 this summer, IG Design Group’s new stationery range is packed with familiar faces and a playful nod to tech versus toys, featuring pencils, notebooks, stickers, a colouring set and artists pad. igdesigngroup.uk

JAPANESE STATIONERY

Japanese stationery is capturing the UK’s imagination like never before. Industry insiders reveal how a once-niche category has become mainstream, driven by social media, a desire for craftsmanship and an appetite for analogue creativity.

For Simon Stone, director of Stone Marketing, which distributes brands such as Tombow, Midori, MD Paper, mt Masking Tape and Traveler’s Company in the UK, this shift has been decades in the making. Simon first travelled to Japan in the early 90s and has been back and forth many times over the past 35 years. In November last year, he travelled there with sales manager James Sprigg.

“We visited Iwako, the home of the famous puzzle erasers; Designphil, who make Midori, Traveler’s Company and MD Paper; and Kamoi, the creator of mt Masking Tape. On top of that we met with our oldest supplier Tombow, and Greetings Life and Yup! Each brand has its own unique personality, but all shared that same commitment to quality and craftsmanship,” Simon comments.

That commitment, he suggests, is at the heart of the category’s growing resonance. “I think British consumers have developed a genuine appreciation for products that are thoughtfully made and built to last. There’s real intention behind the Japanese products we distribute, whether it’s a roll of washi tape or a leather notebook. In a world of throwaway goods, people are drawn to something that feels special or novel.”

Simon’s visit reinforced what sets Japanese stationery apart. “It comes down to a combination of culture and craft. The organisation, precision quality control, and the quiet care that goes into every stage of production is something you don’t often see elsewhere.”

FromwithJapan love

real time with their customers. Ben Reaveley, director at Harrogate’s Art From The Heart, thinks the main reason for the growth is the functionality and craftsmanship of the products. “Everything is designed for a reason and not overcomplicated for no reason. For example: a notebook that lays perfectly flat when you open it (Campus note flat), a gel pen with the blackest ink (uni one), highlighters with guidelines (Pilot Kire-na) so you can get a straight line every time. Add in the vast colour ranges, unique designs and availability in the UK, it’s hard not to see the popularity growing year on year

Back in the UK, retailers are seeing the shift play out in

For Sioned Wyn Jones, owner of online shop, Gretel Creates, the transformation has been dramatic. Central to this is the rise of kawaii, the Japanese aesthetic which emphasises cuteness, innocence, charm and simplicity. “I feel kawaii stationery is resonating so strongly because it offers an escape and a sense of playful joy in everyday life. The meticulously designed yet whimsical characters, vibrant colours and unique textures provide a welcome contrast to more austere European design traditions.”

Changing consumer behaviour is also shaping the market, according to Sioned. “Over the past couple of years I’ve noticed more customers are leaning more towards intentional, curated buying rather than bulk purchases and are willing to pay a premium for items that are of a superior quality and performance. The younger consumers are a massive growth area, spurred by social media.” That digital influence is hard to overstate. “Social media has been pivotal in the rise of the Japanese stationery in the UK,” says Sioned. “Instagram and TikTok have become discovery platforms with content creators sharing their stationery hauls, desk setups and journal pages.

Social media doesn’t just display the products, it curates the lifestyle associated with them.”

A similar picture emerges from Danielle Stanley, owner of Under The Rowan Trees, an online retailer who sees universal appeal across demographics. She also points to the collector mindset that many Japanese brands inspire. “Quality is consistently high with Japanese stationery, and people recognise the big brands and know that they can trust them. Scarcity and unusual designs help to drive the urge to collect items in every colour/design.”

At Coral & Ink, another online retailer, founder Aiesha Rana says affordability and accessibility are key to the current boom. “Japanese stationery is super trendy and popular at the moment. Really for the past 10 years or so it’s just been growing and growing in popularity. What started as a small niche interest is now becoming a lot more mainstream.”

Crucially, it offers small, accessible indulgences. “Times are hard at the moment, cost of living is rising, so people are looking for little ways to treat themselves, and affordable kawaii stationery is definitely one of them.”

For major brands, the trend is equally clear. According to Pentel UK’s marketing manager, Wendy Vickery, demand has reached new heights. “The popularity of distinctively Japanese stationery is higher than it’s ever been in the UK at the moment. Demand is going through the roof.”

She links this surge to a broader cultural fascination. “While UK consumers have been interested in Japanese stationery and general consumer goods for decades there is most definitely an upsurge in

enthusiasm for Japanese culture, food, travel, lifestyle brands and stationery.”

And it is not just young people who are embracing Japanese stationery, according to Wendy. “While young people represent the largest interest group for kawaiithemed stationery, it’s also true that adults in their 40s, 50s and older are passionate about Japanese stationery and culture in general. In the older age groups there are consumers who grew up using products like the 50+ year old Ball Pentel at school and for whom Japanese writing instruments remain iconic.”

Others in the industry echo these themes. Lawrence Savage, marketing manager at Zebra Pen notes that “interest in products inspired by the Japanese culture has definitely continued to grow more rapidly over the last few years. The popularity of manga and anime related items has continued to see an uptake in demand as those members of Gen Z, who grew up with the likes of Pokémon, have matured as consumers.”

As well as the kawaii style, Lawrence notes the demand for stationery that highlights general Japanese imagery and scripts, including Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana. This has been illustrated through the sales of its new HiMckee and Mckee Care permanent markers, which feature Japanese script within the barrel designs.

Meanwhile, Jessica Plunkett, marketing head at Shachihata EU observes a wider trend of brands really leaning into their Japanese heritage, “which is really resonating with UK consumers and driving increased interest and sales.

“Japanese stationery is known for doing things differently, offering products that are both visually appealing and highly functional,” says Jessica. “Products like the Artline Jikakeru washi tape pen are a great example, combining multiple

functions in one tool and opening up new creative possibilities. That balance draws people in, while the uniqueness encourages purchase. The aesthetic quality also makes these products highly shareable, which helps amplify the trend.”

The last word perhaps belongs to Simon Stone, who when asked about the opportunities that lie ahead replied: “We came back [from Japan] with two extra suitcases and a lot of inspiration — which probably tells you everything you need to know!”

THE BEST IN JAPAN

The Stationery Store Awards (Bunbouguya Taishou) celebrate functionality, design and ideas across 39 categories, with over 1200 products entered and judged by a panel of industry professionals and staff from stationery stores across Japan. The top prize is the Grand Prize and this year went to Laconic for its Solid Write mechanical pencil.

Judge Chairman Takagi Yoshinori said of the winner: “Available in black only, with a low centre of gravity for ease of writing, a cool grip, and a hexagonal ring that prevents the pencil from rolling even without a clip – it has all the elements to strike a chord with boys who are crazy about mechanical pencils.”

FAR LEFT: Japanese brands like uni one are a hit with Art From The Heart’s customers.

LEFT: Kawaii is a growing trend for Gretel Creates, with stampers like these from Kodomo no kao.

BELOW LEFT: Functionality is a big drawcard for consumers, such as Campus lieflat notebooks from Kokuyo.

FAR

from

Sharpening-up for a great show!

London International Stationery Show returns on 12-13 May 2026 at the Business Design Centre in London. Set to be one of the biggest editions to date, the show will feature over 200 brands and an abundance of opportunity.

London International Stationery Show 2025 was a recordbreaker, with the most visitors through the door on day one in the show’s history. Packed with newness, creativity, conversation, deals and plenty of business across the two days, it set a high bar for the sector. And if you thought last year was big; you won’t want to miss the 2026 show. There’s going to be more exhibitors, more brands and a not-to-miss programme of talks and workshops.

The many retail buyers come from world-leading department stores,

supermarkets and independent stores, including: Card Zone, Cass Art, Cult Pens, Dobbies, Flying Tiger, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Jarrolds, John Lewis, London Graphic Centre, M&S, Morrisons, Hobbycraft, Liberty London, National Trust, Next, Papier, Pen Heaven, Postmark, Ryman, Sainsbury’s, Science Museum, Scribbler, Selfridges, Tesco, TG Jones, The Works and Waterstones, as well as a veritable who’s who of leading indies.

The show attracts the biggest UK and international brands, as well as exciting new designers and innovative start-ups, giving visitors the chance to explore an exciting edit of new products and names alongside recognised bestsellers.

Among the leading brands attending are: A-Journal, Alligator Product, Artline & Xstamper, Blueprint Collections, BlueSky Designs, Brainbox Candy, Carousel Calendars, Charfleet

Book Bindery, Colart, Crayola, Cre8 Direct, Daler-Rowney, Designworks Inc, Diarpell, Edding, Exacompta Clairefontaine, Hainenko, Hook-LoopTapes, Hunter Price, IG Design Group UK, Jacksons, Jakar International, JPT Europe, Kaweco, Kinary, LEUCHTTURM1917, Love Writing Co, Main Paper SL, Mann Inc, Manuscript & Manuscript Brands, Maped Helix, Mitsubishi Pencil Co UK, N Smith Box, Nu:notebooks, Octopus by Univerzal, Paperblanks, Pebeo UK, Pelltech, Pentel, Portico Designs, Puckator, Pukka Pads, Pyramid International, Rhino Stationery, Robert Frederick, Royal & Langnickel, Royal Talens, Semikolon, Silvine/Artgecko, Snopake, Stabilo International, Staedtler, Stone Marketing, Sylvamo UK, Talia Products, Tallon International, The Pilot Pen Company, Trodat UK, Turnaround, Ultratape, West Design Products, Wigston Global and Zebra Pen.

“This year will be the largest show ever,” enthused Chantelle White, event manager for London International Stationery Show.

“We’ve had so much interest from exhibitors that we’ve had to expand up into the galleries. It’s shaping up to be an unmissable event, packed with creativity, innovation and

The show is a great place to see and try all the latest new products from leading brands.

LEFT: There’s lots of product demos on many exhibitor stands.

exciting new brands. For retailers and industry professionals, it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new products, meet suppliers. and place orders ahead of the season. We can’t

wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”

Colart will be back at the show following a couple of years’ break, with plenty of newness across its art brands including Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, Conté à Paris and Reeves. Anthony Taylor, UK general manager commented: “We are excited to be back and to connect with retailers, partners and the wider creative community, and to share how Colart’s brands continue to inspire creativity across a wide range of artistic disciplines. At this year’s show Colart is showcasing a portfolio of brands designed to support different creative audiences - from professional artists to beginners discovering creativity for the first time.”

Jakar International is a regular at the show and managing director, Paul Sacki loves coming to the event and connecting with regular customers face-to-face as well as meeting new ones. “It’s a great opportunity to spot trends in the market and show off our fantastic products. We will be bringing along some brand new Caran d’Ache products to the show this year. We’ll also be showcasing the expanded range of Rosa Gallery watercolours, as well as the new range Spectrum, which showcases the full spectrum of colours, available in both pan and tube form.”

One of the highlights for many visitors is the show’s Boutique Collection; a carefully curated section centred around innovation with quirky, independent suppliers presenting their product offerings. This year the section has expanded to include even more suppliers. Among those exhibiting this year are Aim Studio Co, Amy Britton, Andhand, Batik Ying, By Anika, Coffeenotes, De Kempen, Dodolulu , Emily May, Fab Dab Do, Fawn & Thistle, Gilded Words, Good Tuesday, House of Tula,

SHOW ESSENTIALS

WHEN: Tuesday and Wednesday, 12-13 May 2026

WHERE: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH

OPENING HOURS:

9.30am-5pm Tuesday, 9.30am-4pm Wednesday

WEBSITE:

stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

ENTRY: Free for stationery buyers, retailers, wholesalers, licensors and licensees. Register now at stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

SCAN QR CODE FOR MORE INFO:

JOIN THE STAMP RALLY

For the first time at London International Stationery Show, visitors will be able to take part in a Stamp Rally hosted by Shachihata. Stamp rallies (Kasane oshi) are a popular activity in Japan where participants travel around to selected locations to collect ink stamps in booklets.

Shachihata has created an exclusive design for London International Stationery Show and while the exact design is still under wraps, Jessica Plunkett, marketing coordinator at Shachihata EU promises “it will be a really special design featuring iconic London landmarks.”

Visitors will be given a postcard, then have to find the seven stamp stations at the show, getting a stamp at each to build up a picture on their postcard.

LEFT TOP: There are a wide range of brands at the show spanning the stationery, arts, crafts, paper and writing instruments industries.

LEFT MIDDLE: Chris LeonardMorgan will talk at the show about his new book, Stationery Icons.

LEFT BOTTOM: VENT for Change will highlight its Ocean range ahead of World Ocean Day.

Come and celebrate 125 years of The Noris brand at STAEDTLER stands M531 & M628 at the London Stationery Show 2026.

Email: sales.uk@staedtler.com

Impact Stationery Inc, Intelligent Change, Les Pensionnaires, Lione & Sheikh, Little Green Paper Shop, Raspberry Blossom, Rebel Stationery, RebelJones, Roamie, Roomytown, Scriveiner, Storigraphic, The Crafty Kit Company, Tom’s Studio, VENT For Change and Wild Hart Rituals.

A newcomer to the show is Mia Bates, founder of Aim Studio, a brand known for its functional yet beautifully refined paper goods. “As my very first trade show, this is the first time anyone will see my retail packaging,” says Mia. It’s also an opportunity to connect with the industry in person. “I’m most looking forward to meeting fellow brands and buyers who share my love for stationery. It’s been ages since I’ve displayed my product range in a physical space, so I’m excited to see everything come together and get feedback.”

One exhibitor hoping to make a splash, is VENT for Change, who will be using the show to highlight World Ocean day which takes place on 8 June, as Faye O’Toole, sales and marketing support explains: “With Ocean Day approaching, we’re highlighting our Ocean collection, made from recycled ocean plastics. We will be offering all retailers a free marketing kit to support World Ocean Day, including a window poster, page markers and free single pencils to give away in store.”

In addition to the exhibitor delights on the show floor, the finalists of the Stationery Awards will also be showcased with the winners announced at a free-to-attend event at the end of the first day.

Workshops and talks are a key highlight of London Stationery Show, offering visitors the chance to get up close to product, learn from industry experts and gain fresh perspectives on business. For 2026, the programme will once again take place in the gallery, alongside new exhibitors, refreshments and the Stationery Awards Showcase, creating

a vibrant hub of insight, networking and discovery.

One of the keynote talks comes from Kaweco’s CEO, Michael Gutberlet. A charismatic speaker, Michael brings a wealth of experience and insight to the show. He will speak not only about the Kaweco brand, exploring its rich history and future vision, but also share his personal journey in the industry and offer his perspective on where the sector is heading.

Other not-to-miss keynotes come from Simon Stone of Stone Marketing, who will talk about the ever-increasing popularity of Japanese stationery brands in the UK, with his insights taken from over 35 years in the industry and numerous trips to the land of the rising sun. And don’t miss the exuberant Chris Leonard-Morgan as he talks about his brand new book, Stationery Icons, which is launching at the show.

Over at the workshops, practical demonstrations can be seen from exhibitors including Daler-Rowney, Jakar International, Royal Talens, Colart, Pebeo, Batik Ying and more.

Looking ahead to the 2026 show, event manager Chantelle White said: “We’re really excited to be London International Stationery Show to life. With more exhibitors, more brands, and a packed programme of talks, workshops and the Stationery Awards showcase, it’s set to be a vibrant, unmissable two days celebrating the very best of the industry.”

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

Located on the Gallery level, the talks theatre and creative workshops are a place for education and creativity. Visitors will be able to hear from industry-leading experts or gets hands on with the latest products from exhibiting brands.

Scan the QR codes below for the full schedule of talks and workshops.

TALKS SCHEDULE

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

London International Stationery Show

FEATURED EXHIBITORS

Find out more about some of the exhibitors who will be attending the show. For a full list of exhibitors, please visit www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

Colart UK

colart.com/en/

As the global parent company of iconic brands such as Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, Lefranc Bourgeois, Conté à Paris, Charbonnel, SNAZAROO and Reeves, Colart draws inspiration from the artistic community to develop innovative art materials that inspire and enable creators worldwide.

Stand M120

Crayola

crayola.co.uk

Crayola is a global leader in colourful, creative expression for families, educators and artists of all ages. For over the last 120 years Crayola has brought colour, connection and joy to millions of families worldwide. At the heart of everything it does is one mission: to spark creative moments children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Stand M325

Daler-Rowney

daler-rowney.com

First founded as a pigment company for wigs in the UK, Daler-Rowney has grown into an internationally renowned fine arts manufacturing company with colours and pigments still at its core. From paint, brushes and surfaces to accessories, luggage and easels, Daler-Rowney produces and sells products for artists of all experience levels.

Stand M220

Exacompta Clairefontaine

exaclairlimited.com

ExaClair Ltd is the UK subsidiary of Exacompta Clairefontaine, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of paper, stationery, and office organisation products. The group brings together internationally recognised brands including Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Exacompta, and Jacques Herbin, each known for quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.

Stand M416

Hunter Price International

hunterprice.com

Hunter Price will show its established and emerging own brands, alongside its award-winning and expanding licensed portfolio. Alongside its own IP, Hunter Price will present key ranges from its licensed portfolio, giving a first-look at upcoming collections across key partnerships, including LEGO, Fuggler, Crayola, PAW Patrol, Haribo, Peppa Pig and more.

Stand G310

Jakar International

jakar.co.uk

Jakar is a family-run company which has been supplying artist materials, stationery and craft products for over 75 years. It is the sole distributor for the renowned Caran d’Ache Colour ranges throughout UK and Ireland. It also stocks the Ukrainian brand Rosa, which specialises in watercolour, oil and acrylic as well as the German-made M+R Stationery products, alongside the Jakar own-brand range.

Stand M413

Kaweco

studiopens.com/kaweco

Kaweco’s most famous pens are probably the Kaweco Sport family of pens, which were designed with an oversized cap in the 1930s to be small in the pocket but large in the hand. The Sport range still forms the backbone of Kaweco’s product offering, and is available in a wide range of colours and materials.

Stand M510

Manuscript Brands manuscriptpen.com

Established in 1870, Manuscript is a fifth-generation family company with deep roots in the pen trade. Today it designs and develops its our own brands - including Manuscript, Tom Hessin and The Lionheart Tales — while also acting as the exclusive UK distributor for many of the world’s most respected writing and stationery brands.

Stand: M110 & M212

Navneet Education

navneet.com

Navneet is a leading name in India’s stationery industry and today stands as the country’s largest manufacturer, exporting worldwide with consistent quality, operational scale, and custom-made solutions that move at retail speed. It caters to school, office and hobby/craft segments.

Stand M525 + M618

Pentel

pentel.co.uk

Creator of some of the world’s favourite writing instruments, Pentel is proud to return once again to London International Stationery Show, where visitors will be able to see and try exciting new products, including a fantastic selection of items from its parent company, PLUS Corporation, ideal for arts, hobbies and everyday use.

Stand M300

Premier Stationery

premier-stationery.com

This family-run business has supplies stationery and artists products including: office supplies, manuscripts, storage wallets, desktop organisation, brushes, paints, paper, canvas, colouring books, colouring pencils, watercolour paint palettes, gel pens, chalk and play dough.

Stand M122

Sinclairs

sinclairsproducts.com

A world-class British maker of paper stationery since 1837. Creators and makers of Silvine, Silvine Originals and Artgecko brands; as well as private label stationery products.

Stand: M210

Stabilo International

stabilo.com

Stabilo believes that everyone is born as a creative being with a head full of ideas. These ideas can go on to make the world a better place, a more colourful one, or a more fun one. That’s why Stabilo does everything it can to help people express themselves creatively and bring their most precious ideas to life.

Stand: M206 + M302

Royal Talens

royaltalens.com

Royal Talens is internationally recognised for producing highquality artist materials that combine craftsmanship, innovation and commercial appeal. At the show, visitors can discover Sakura favourites Pigma Micron, Gelly Roll and Ecoline, alongside premium fine art ranges from Royal Talens.

Stand M314

Shachihata (Europe)

shachihata.eu

With over 100 years of expertise, and celebrating its centenary in 2025, Shachihata is the company behind trusted brands such as Artline and Xstamper. Known for advanced ink technologies, precision engineering, and long-lasting performance, Shachihata delivers high-quality products for office, industrial, and creative applications worldwide.

Stand M514

Staedtler

staedtler.com/uk/en/

Staedtler is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of writing, colouring and drawing instruments, as well as premium quality modelling and polymer clays, applying centuries of experience and expertise in the development of innovative stationery.

Stand M531 + M628

Sylvamo UK

sylvamo.com/us/en/

Sylvamo is a leading global paper manufacturer. Brands within its portfolio include HP, Multicopy, REY and Blank, offering everything from high quality premium papers, coloured papers and cards, and carbon balanced papers, to ‘no frills’ economy products.

Stand M317

The Pilot Pen Company (UK)

pilotpen.co.uk

With a heritage of over 100 years, Pilot designs and manufactures premium pens that combine Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. From iconic products like the FriXion erasable pen to refillable and ecofriendly ranges, Pilot is committed to creating writing tools that inspire creativity while reducing environmental impact.

Stand M524

William Lamb Group

williamlambgroup.com

William Lamb has been in business for over 130 years and a huge factor of its longevity is down to its collaborative approach. It is the expert at translating brands to retail and the market leader in branded and licensed footwear, back-to-school and accessories.

Stand G320

Willsow

willsow.com

Award-winning publisher that created the world’s first plantable children’s book. Now also creating plantable calendars, Christmas crackers and greeting cards. Once you’ve finished with them, plant them in the garden and watch flowers grow.

Stand G238

Zebra Pen UK

zebrapen.co.uk

Zebra Pen supplies a wide selection of sustainable writing instruments that combine Japanese craftsmanship and performance. It will be showcasing its bestselling ranges, which includes the popular Z-Grip ballpoint and Sarasa Clip gel pen collections. There will also be a focus upon several new releases, including the scented Mildliner Fragrance highlighters.

Stand: M500 – Mezzanine

100

100 MAKERS

304 PAGES

600 YEARS OF STATIONERY HISTORY

Foreword by Theo Paphitis

AUTHOR Christopher Leonard-Morgan

Founder of the London Stationery Show and National Stationery Week

Liveryman, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers

From the desk of... Chris Leonard-Morgan

From heritage names to modern icons, Chris Leonard-Morgan discusses the inspiration behind his new book, Stationery Icons and what makes a stationery brand truly stand the test of time.

What inspired you to write Stationery Icons, and why did you feel now was the right time to release it?

The timing is fortuitous. I first had the idea more than ten years ago, not long after the Stationery Show became the London Stationery Show in 2013. I was really struck by the depth of the market and the brands within it, many with histories that had never been properly examined. Those stories deserved a wider audience, but finding the right publisher took time. Meeting Richard Webb of Narrative Media was the turning point. He has brought so much to the project, and the industry is in a stronger, more confident place now than when I first started down this road.

How does it feel to be releasing this book at London International Stationery Show and during National Stationery Week?

It feels absolutely fantastic! There is genuine optimism in the industry right now and a real sense of opportunity. Stationery’s great strength is that it is entirely screen-free, and people are returning to it – or discovering it for the first time – and seeing it differently. The timing of the book feels so right.

Stationery has a long, rich history. What surprised you the most as you researched the iconic brands and their stories?

What struck me repeatedly was the quality of the people behind the brands; the entrepreneurial drive and integrity of founders and of the generations who followed them. These were people who built something carefully and protected it over time. That thread runs through almost every brand in the book.

In your opinion, what makes a stationery brand truly “iconic”?

It takes time, although perhaps a little less now, with social media. Iconic status is not conferred at a centenary dinner, it accumulates. The brands in this book range from manufacturers whose names have become synonymous with

the products they make, to younger companies redefining what stationery means. What they share is the ability to generate genuine loyalty and emotional attachment. Heritage and innovation are not opposites. Stationery demonstrates that with unusual clarity.

Did you discover any surprising facts while researching the book?

Many! One that stayed with me was John Steinbeck’s morning ritual. He sharpened 24 Blackwing pencils and lined them up before he began writing. Something about that image transforms a humble pencil into an object of ceremony. It has not left me since.

What’s the one thing you’d want readers to take away after turning the final page?

An understanding of what an extraordinary category stationery is, in all its forms. How it has evolved, why it has endured, and why it is not going anywhere.

Looking ahead, how do you see the future of stationery evolving?

Stationery is in good shape. People may be writing fewer letters, but diaries, journals, greeting cards, drawing and colouring are all growing. Sustainability will remain a priority across the industry. Digital writing tools will develop further, though how significantly, I would not want to predict. What I am confident of is that the physical object – the pen, the pencil, the notebook – retains a hold that technology has not loosened, only strengthened.

As a stationery enthusiast, what’s one item you can never be without?

My wife would probably say paperclips. She keeps finding them around the house. For me it is a pencil, followed closely by a pen and a good supply of paper.

Lastly, if you could collaborate with any stationery brand on a special edition product, which brand would it be, and what would you create?

It is difficult to choose just one after spending several years with all the brands in this book. But if pressed, I would say Smythson (my mother used their diaries). And it would be a special edition notebook – with a page for every brand featured –

HEAR CHRIS SPEAK AT THE SHOW

Chris will be speaking at London International Stationery Show about his new book and sharing some of the stories of the brands featured. Wednesday 13 May at 1pm.

commissioned to mark the publication. Something that recorded the story of the book itself. That would be something worth keeping!

FOR ARTISTS BY ARTISANS

Come behind the scenes at our next Open Day - open to all! daler-rowney.com/opendays

We take pride in being one of the last Artists’ colours manufacturer in the UK, combining craftsmanship since 1783 with modern innovation, producing materials renowned for their vibrant colour, outstanding durability and versatility. Colour is our DNA, but we don't stop here! We've learned continuously and also manufacture brushes, pads, blocks, artbooks, mountboards and much more.