Beautiful stationery sets the tone for what is ahead, and your wedding stationery is no exception. From the whimsical to the feminine, to the fun and the elegant, Peppermint Press has a wide variety of styles, colours and designs to choose from. Carla believes that beautiful stationery should be available to everyone regardless of budget, so you can choose from ready made print-your-own-files to fancy foil or letterpress stationery. Nothing beats a beautiful invitation in the mail, so create anticipation of your celebration with an invitation that reflects who you are.
What made you decide to open a stationery business? Have you always been a creative person?
Yes! I live and breathe art and creativity! I studied Visual Communication at University and went on to work in home & fashion magazines for 8 years before moving to the advertising industry. I love beautiful typography & have a fairly feminine design aesthetic, so invitation design really suits my design style.
How long have you been in business? What do you love about it?
I started Peppermint Press in 2011. The year before my first baby was born. I love that I can work from home with such flexible hours. Perfect for a mumma.
Where do you find inspiration for your new designs?
I’m addicted to Instragram at the moment. I was probably a bit late to the party but am always on there lately. I feel inspired by many international creatives, not only in the graphic design field but in interiors, photography, fine art & events. I love to see what’s trending in all areas of design.
What do you decide on first when considering a new design?
I love to keep up with current trends but also try to keep a classic beauty to my work. Designs that won’t date quickly & those with elegant typography are a favourite, not only of mine but my customers too.
How important is paper, the font you will be using and the paper colour in your designs?
These things set the tone for the wedding. They are hugely important and give the guests their first hint of what’s to come for the big day. That’s what is so exciting about wedding stationery! It’s the first peek into what is to come at the wedding ahead.
Do you have a favourite font, or a font that is requested often?
Modern, flowing calligraphic fonts are super popular right now. I really love this style of calligraphy. I have so many favourites on my computer though, I am a font addict. My accountant keeps asking why I spend so much money on fonts. Whoops!
How do you help a couple decide on a design for their stationery suite? What is the design process you go through?
I like to see a brides’ moodboards, clippings, swatches of fabric if a colour for the bridesmaids is chosen, flowers if relevant. Also knowing the venue can help. Is it in a chic city restaurant or on a rambling country farm? I try to immerse myself in all of these things to get a feel for exactly what the bride and groom are after.
How long does it take from initial enquiry to delivery for a custom designed suite?
About 6 weeks, or a little longer for special finishes such as foils or for letterpress printing.
When ordering from your standard range, how much customization do you offer?
It’s very easy for me to change fonts and colours of my standard range. And the wording on the invites changes too, whether it be quite formal or fun and casual.
What are you seeing as trends in stationery colour and design for 2016/2017?
Foiling is very popular. I’m receiving so many enquiries about golds and coppers in particular. Watercolour washes are a strong trend and I think the Pantone Colours of the year (Blush pink and Serenity blue) will begin to appear in more wedding stationery as the year progresses.
Do you see elements being used in stationery that relate to trends in homewares and fashion?
Yes, definitely. For example geometric patterns and copper tones seen in interiors are often requested by brides. Particularly when they are tying their wedding styling theme together (copper invites, copper geometic candle holders on the tables at the reception, stationery to match, which may also reflect the modern interior of the venue.)
What printing options do you offer bridal couples?
Digital (flat) printing is my most common method of printing as it is cost-effective, however I am having more and more requests for letterpress, foils, and white ink on kraft card.
Would you offer us some ideas to customize the envelopes we send with our stationery suite?
Envelope liners will pretty up the insides of the envelopes and provide an unexpected surprise when the guests open their invites. I’ve recently begun to offer glitter envelope liners which add some real ‘wow factor’ particularly if the invite itself is classic and understated.
Do you have a favourite place to visit – either local, or overseas?
I’m a nature girl. Give me sunshine and the sea, wherever it may be, and I’ll be happy.
A favourite café or restaurant?
Eating out is a passion. How do I narrow it down to one restaurant?!
When you’re not working what do you like to do to relax?
I love my job and am slightly addicted to working. Catching up with girlfriends over coffee really helps me to unwind. Spending time outdoors with my children too, picnics in pretty places are a favourite pastime for my little family.
Thank you Carla for sharing your story. With such beautiful stationery to choose from, the problem will be – which one? To find out more about Peppermint Press visit the website.
Headshot and all images courtesy of Carla at Peppermint Press.
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