12 Paper Trends In ’12 {guest blogger}

by Kori Clark

Hello all!! It’s Kori here from Paper & Pigtails with my first contributor post! I thought that to start off the new year I would do a run down of the top 12 paper trends I think we’ll be seeing in the party world this year!!

{From Pantone’s Site}

1 –  Bold Colors – While there is still a place for a soft and sweet color palette, we will be seeing a lot more bright and bold this year…just take a look at Pantone’s Color of the Year

2 – Graphic Patterns – We saw some of the long loved graphic patterns like chevron and quatrefoil making a big push last year and this year we can plan on seeing more of the graphic patterns making an appearance. These are the patterns we’ve seen in fashion and interior design, and this year you will see the same patterns making their move in stationery!

{One of my Pattern Designs}

{Photo of a collection of business cards collected and shot by Danni of Oh, Hello Friend}

3 – Attention to Branding – We will be seeing people take branding and packaging design to a whole new level. From business cards to product tags, expect to be wowed by creative and unique branding and packaging. This is somewhere that paper counts…it may be the reason your business is chosen over someone else’s!

4 – Creative DIYs – Last year we saw beautiful crafts made from paper, from flowers to wreaths, to amazing backdrops. I am expecting to see a lot more coming up this year!

{STUNNING Handmade Flowers from Handmade By Sara Kim}

{Ribbon Design from Paper & Pigtails Blog, Handwriting a Note – From Photography Blog – From Me to You}

5 – Invitation Suites aren’t just for weddings anymore – We have seen that people want “sets” for different kinds of parties from kid’s birthdays to baby showers, people are wanting to get the coordinating  invites, note cards, stickers, address labels and more.

6 – Handwritten Notes – Yes, they aren’t the most practical with Facebook, email, twitter and more…but there isn’t anything that makes you feel quite like getting a hand written note in the mailbox and that feeling is catching! Handwritten notes are going to make a comeback because it feels as good to send one as it does to receive one!

7 – Digital and Printable Designs – Due to the growing popularity over the last two years, this isn’t a new trend…just a growing one. Some designs are at your fingertips, accessible almost immediately. Online stationery retailers are getting more digital allowing the end user to select fonts, text size and more…

{Apple Computer}

{Ornate Shaped Card  from Kari Whitehead Photography, Bride and Groom Wrapper Design by darcymillerdesigns.com shown on Martha Stewart)

8 – Shapes and textures – Printed paper items will be offered in a wider variety of ornate shapes and papers, from shimmer to recycled, from rounded corners to ornate frame shapes.

9 – Custom Illustrations – People want to add personality to their paper and though monograms and personalized items are always in style…we will be seeing more custom artwork. Expect to see more custom illustrations of the couple on their wedding stationery or even fun and stylish sketches of family pets included in their personalized designs.

{Liz Cann’s Design Studio on Marcus Design Inc , Beautiful Letterpress designed by the Bride & Groom seen on 100 Layer Cake }

10 – Small Business – Buying from a great small business gives me a fantastic feeling. I love to support small or local business, and so does almost everyone I speak with! For the paper industry…this means that people will be looking for small businesses with personal interaction, indy designers, and local artists for their paper items!

11 – Letterpress – What’s not to love this year (and every year) about the simple beauty of letterpress…letting the paper itself become the art.

12 – Recycled and Recyclable – I love paper….It’s an obsession, but I also love to breath, the free air, and trees, so I can’t leave paper that is recycled and is recyclable off of the list.

{Recycled Cardboard for Business Cards – Ameiiwess on Etsy}

I hope you enjoyed the rundown of pretty paper for 2012!!