Italian Letterpress Printed Papers in Limited Editions!

Printed on a vintage letterpress machine, these gorgeous Italian papers are really stunning. The unique Italian designs date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Each sheet has a border around it within the 20x28 inch sheet.

Letterpress printing usually uses metal plates, or type and transfers the ink leaving a deep impression on the paper creating a three dimensional print that has a feel unlike any other type pf printing.

It is true that letterpress printing is both time and labor intensive. Sheets are printed one at a time with each print having its own unique variations of ink coverage and depth of impression. Beautifully tactile and simply exquisite, letterpress printing has a rich, warm feel that you can't help notice and appriciate. We think you will love these.

Pencils. What's the story?

Did you know that one pencil is able to draw a line 56 kilometers long! That the office tool we take mostly for granted of can write and average of 45000 words!

Originally made of lead, but now made of non-toxic graphite the pencil as we know it today became widespread in 1564. We now offer the Palomino Blackwing pencil in a box of 12's. Soft and smooth, giving a dark rich line...perfect for artists and doodlers. And if that is not enough we have made available the replacement eraser in pink, black and white. The Blackwing 602 is firm and smooth, ideal for writers. Although it is known to hold a point well do not go on a writing binge without your Palomino-KUM long point pencil sharpener.

The only drawback I can see of the simple underappreciated pencil is that it is never sharp when you need it. But that's not the pencils fault. On the contrary, the least we can do for this ancient Roman writing tool is to keep it in tip top shape with a nice even point. For this little job you will find the "long point pencil sharpener" very useful. Enclosed are 2 sharpeners, one to shape the wood and the other to sharpen the lead....to a nice long point. And it comes with 2 extra blades. Not for children.

For the more cautious types we have the 602's available in ones, try it out and convert yourself. Makes a nice gift for pretty much anyone, especially those who, well, who use a pencil.

Handmade Amate paper, also known as Bark Paper, has a rich history that dates back to the Aztecs.

Few papers have such a deep cultural and spiritual importance that is still alive today. There is no doubt that Amate is out of the ordinary. Cultivated from the bark of the Fig Tree in Mexico, the bark is cooked for several hours then beaten with a stone. Amate feels soft to the touch but can be painted on, cut, or torn or shaped.

Lattice, woven, lace or smooth.

An inspiring and special material for interior designers, book artists, graphic designers and anyone with imagination. It can be used as a stencil, painted on, or wood block printed. Try laminating it for place mats or hang in a window or on a wall to simply enjoy its natrual beauty.

Do it yourself! Yes, you can make your own wedding invitations and more.

We have years of experience helping our creative and boldly individual customers make amazing invitations. No matter what your personal style is: traditional, quirky, green or blue, just be you!Use your home computer and printer and our gorgeous papers, ribbons and charming decorative elements. Come in and view our sample books of one of a kind invitations to get you started.Think of us when the time comes to plan for your special day. Visit us at Paper-Ya for inspiration and ideas for unique wedding favors, guest books, photo albums and stationery.

Color is everywhere for this summers weddings...Think coral, tangerine and citrus yellow, whites, turquoise, silver, and ripe tomato red...some of the color trends we are seeing for this unforgettable occasion.

Gina Page shares her artistic and inventive bookmaking process with us.

Gina has been writing poetry and making prints for quite a while, so combining them both into her small artist's books under her own Seawrack Press seemed like a logical way to pursue both interests. She uses the chine colle method of employing thin pieces of colored Japanese papers that have been torn to desired shapes. She positions these onto her inked etching plate. She then places a piece of heavier dampened printmaking paper over the thin papers and plate, being careful not to disturb any of the thinner papers, and rolls everything through the press. The resulting print is a seamless image created by the ink from the plate as well as the colors of the Japanese papers.

This is what she has to say about our Japanese papers she is working with..."I usually use a light or dark colored Hadura paper for the base layer of the chine colle, as it gives a beautiful edge when torn damp. Occasionally I use Kozo or Gampi papers; they are both strong and can be very thin and allow other colors to show through them. Kozo has a wonderful softness, and Gampi has an attractive sheen. I often use Japanese rayon tissues that have a very small gold and silver metallic fleck in them, as many of my etchings and writings have to do with dreams, dusk, and the night sky. These papers produce subtle color combinations well suited to nocturnal musings.

Gina does not have her own printing press and type but has found an alternate means of producing text. For the past few years, she has been stenciling the text onto the papers using a plastic sheet of upper and lower case letters. One letter at a time! She says it is time consuming, yes, but effective when carefully done.

Are you sweet on someone? We have some suggestions...

For the man who likes retro or the man of the woods

For the girl who loves pink or the beauty of the garden.

Sit back, relax and get the ideas out of your head and onto paper!

Socrates wrote that inspired ideas originate with the gods and that the gods inspire us not when we are rational, but when we are at peace with ourselves. Einstein did some of his best thinking while sailing with the wind blowing through his wild hair.

The famous graphic designer Milton Glaser believes that drawing can change your brain and so can the search for the right musical note. It is about paying attention to what we are looking at, what we are experiencing; this is what is most challenging and can be most inspiring.

'I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand' ~ ancient chinese proverb.