Sarah Campbell is an internationally acclaimed textile designer who, together with her late sister Susan Collier, founded and ran a groundbreaking and renowned design partnership, creating iconic motifs for the industry’s greatest names for more than 50 years. Love of pattern and colour and an inventive freshness are the hallmarks of her work.
A major retrospective of Sarah and her sister’s work – Paint! Pattern! Print! – is currently running at the Fashion & Textile Museum in London. It showcases a lifetime of personal and professional creativity and the joy in colour and pattern which also runs through her card and stationery collection.
ON THE CARDS
When you tingle, you know something special is happening. Not only that they remind you that you are human. And there have been a few tingly moments for me of late, not least one that involved, among others, a hedgehog, swans, an otter, a badger, a couple of dogs… a king and a greeting card.
Like so many others I sat down to watch the David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth concert at the Royal Albert Hall, televised by BBC1. Paying homage to someone who really is one of a kind, I expected it to be memorable, but didn’t envisage being reduced to floods of joyous tears at the beautiful film of King Charles marking Sir David’s milestone, by hand-writing him a birthday card that was delivered relay-style by a menagerie of animals and birds.
What better endorsement of the important part greeting cards play in our lives, from the moment we enter this world right up to the point when we leave it.
The ‘Royal Mail’ service by the wildlife ‘posties’ depicted on the film is somewhat different to how most of us receive our birthday cards admittedly,
but it really was great life affirming PR for our sector.
While Royal Mail is unlikely to be able to stretch to commissioning promotional films of this ilk, working with the GCA, it is planning to commit to some consumer marketing activity to promote greeting card sending, and is keen for input from the wider greeting card community. In advance of a round table discussion between Royal Mail and the GCA this month, a survey is underway asking for responses to various possible ideas. If you haven’t already, please take part, accessing it via the QR code on this page or by visiting the GCA stand at the upcoming PG Live (which is just outside the lunchroom on the Gallery level).
I can’t quite believe we are now just days away from PG Live 2026, which runs Tuesday 2 June and Wednesday 3 June. It feels a bit like organising a 100th birthday party… everything is ready, the invitations have gone out, the ‘playlist’ of exhibitors is second to none, the added extras are all linedup and the food and drink is ordered… we just need you to come, and make it another of those tingly moments!
See you there!
Right: King Charles writing his 100th birthday card to Sir David Attenborough.
Below: PG’s Jakki Brown (right) at the recent London Stationery Show with retailers Sarah Holmes of Pencil Me In and Sean Austin of Austin and Co about to listen to the panel discussion of indie retailers, hosted by Sarah Laker of Stationery Supplies.
Below: A true stationery icon himself, Chris Leonard Morgan launched his 100 Stationery Icons coffee table book at London Stationery Show, and was happy to show it to PG’s Jakki Brown (centre) and Sarah Laker, National Stationery Week co-ordinator and owner of Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow.
Below right: PG’s Jakki Brown in the BDC kitchen with chefs, talking about the delicious food they will be cooking for PG Live.
CONTENTS
30 63 85 68
11-23 News
All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.
26-27 The Retas 2026
The Retas Retail Awards Finalists Revealed.
28-29 Over The Counter
The Quiet Power
David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi shares his personal experience of how the quiet power of greeting cards has been working its medicinal magic.
30-31 Cardsharp
Weasel Words
While Cardsharp predicted the TG Jones restructuring would happen, he didn’t expect it to happen so soon or to be capricious.
33-39 Viewpoints
“Don’t Mention The War!”
Members of the greeting card community share how they feel the Iran war is affecting aspects of our sector.
41 Letters Page
Keeping You Posted
Cardology director David Falkner makes a strong case for why protecting postal affordability is now essential to protecting the card-sending habit over the longer term.
43-61 Innovations
Publishers’ new ranges and designs debuting at PG Live.
63-67 PG Live Newbies
Story Time
The back stories of a handful of PG Live newbie exhibitors.
Jakki Brown Editor/Joint Owner jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk
How UKG’s Bubblegum brand is being re-inflated on cards and wrappingswith a mega launch at PG Live.
71-75 PG Licensing Spotlight Driving Licences
A selection of publishers spill the beans on the licensed product highlights they will be showcasing at PG Live.
79-83 PG Live Anniversaries Marking Moments
Just some of the notable anniversaries that will be marked by publishers at PG Live.
85-87 Retailer Conversations A Staple Diet
Indie stationery retailers share their wisdom and fave stationery items.
89-93 Lives outside cards In The Balance
A bunch of cardies reveal their out of office antics which add balance to their working life.
95 Art Source Great Expectations Realised
What started with Pip Wilson entering a painting competition in the Daily Telegraph was to spark a greeting card design career of four decades and counting.
97-99 What’s Hot?
A trio of retailers reveal their best-selling ranges.
100-107 Sources of Supply
Tracey Bearton Features Editor traceyb@max-publishing.co.uk
Words ’N’ Wishes has acquired the two publishing brands
Two long established greeting card companies, Nigel Quiney Publications and Paper Rose have been acquired by Words ’N’ Wishes, the Wigan-based publishing business that is co-owned by Rod Brown and Carl Salt.
The news comes three years after John Lowey and Alison Butterworth performed a management buy-out of Paper Rose Limited and Nigel Quiney Publications Limited from the Pillarbox Designs Limited group, a group owned by Cardzone/Clintons owner Paul Taylor and his family.
As part of this, certain repayments and conditions were included within the agreement. As Paul Taylor explained to PG: “Unfortunately, due to significant challenges faced on the High Street by many publishers over the last couple of years, the Pillarbox Design Limited group has had to step in to protect the long-term future of these companies.”
The solution has been to support Rod Brown and Carl Salt of Words ’N’ Wishes Limited in their acquisition of 100% of the share capital in B&L Joint Ventures Limited, the parent company of Paper Rose Limited and Nigel Quiney Publications Limited.
Commenting on the expansion, Rod Brown said: “Words ’N’ Wishes has been very fortunate to have built a strong publishing business over the last 15 years and have been looking for a while to find the right opportunity to
strengthen our market presence in what has been and continues to be a challenging marketplace. Once we got into discussions with Paul regarding both highly-regarded companies it was not a difficult decision to close on. Both publishers have a history of good product and therefore, with the necessary financial support and working capital, will allow them to continue to drive their product strengths.”
Under the new ownership, the plan is that both companies will continue to operate as they currently are and, for the next three months, Alison Butterworth has agreed to manage both businesses through a handover. Rod Brown is to strategically head up all
three businesses as CEO going forward.
“Words ’N’ Wishes will also continue to operate on its own, business as usual, doing what we do best! However, I am sure that there will be many good working practices, synergies and opportunities to be explored over the months ahead strengthening our overall presence in the marketplace,” said Rod.
John Lowey, the previous MD of Paper Rose is to leave the business at the end of May. “We would like to thank John for all his efforts over the many years at Paper Rose and wish him well in his future ahead,” added Rod.
Wholesaler Tiger Feet has celebrated the opening of its impressive new headquarters in Lowry Park, Manchester while it has also announced the permanent closure of its Bristol branch.
Among the many invited guests at the new HQ opening was the king of wholesale greeting card sector, octogenarian Simon Elvin, who continues to work in business that he and wife Janet started in 1977.
Of its new HQ, Tiger Feet’s head of commercial Jo Formby said: “Our new home at Lowry Park isn’t just a relocation, it’s the creation of our Manchester flagship. We have moved away from the traditional warehouse model to create a curated, high-energy destination
Marathon (wo)men!
Discarded body parts, pints of beer, a lucky pigeon mascot, being powered by spectators’ cheers, and a dramatic collapse – London Marathon more than lived up to its reputation.
All the participants from the greeting card community agreed the 26.2mile course is a real toughie, but the experience and fundraising successes make it totally worth it.
In the unseasonal heat of the day, Postmark retail group MD Mark JansonSmith completed the route in five hours, 10 minutes, 48 seconds, a fabulous time considering he was running in a post box costume made by Ben Hickman of Brainbox Candy – and also stopped for a pint!
For Nick Carey, MD at Abacus, it was 05:40:23 for his first-ever marathon, while The Art File’s Nichola Lambert managed a very decent 04:13:40 and publisher Imogen Partridge wasn’t far behind on 04:27:46. Longacres Garden Centre’s buyer Hannah Hazell shot across the finishing line with a stupendous time of 04:27:46 on what was her third marathon on three consecutive Sundays as she completed Manchester the weekend before London and Brighton the week before!
But there was drama for Ohh Deer’s Edd Hamp as the heat of the day got to him just after the halfway point as he tackled the course with dad David, raising money for Children With Cancer UK
With a predicted finish of 03:36:35, Edd told PG: “It didn’t quite go to plan! Everything was fine heading nicely towards the target of 3:30, skipping through the crowds and taking on fluids, I can remember seeing my family on Tower Bridge – and then it all went blank.”
Ed collapsed due to overheating and had to be rushed to A&E where he was put on a drip.
“There’s always next year!” he quipped.
designed specifically for our customers. We’ve kept the best bits, including our extensive card and giftbag range, while introducing an intuitive layout and atmosphere that finally matches the vibrancy of the products we sell.”
Meanwhile, a few days later Tiger Feet announced that it has “made the difficult decision to permanently close” its Bristol branch. The company issued an official announcement, explaining that it had been working hard to resolve an ongoing dispute with its landlord, but had been unable to reach a resolution.
Elvin.
Left: The TF team were tasked with declaring the new HQ open.
Above: Tiger Feet, CEO Andy Dodwell (left) and Jo Formby with Simon
Above: One becomes three!
Above left: Rod Brown (left) and Carl Salt with Words ’N’ Wishes’ 2025 Henries award.
Above: Creative maestro Ben Hickman with Mark Janson-Smith in the costume that David Byk of Ling/GBCC sponsored for charity.
Above: Abacus’ Nick Carey in the running.
TOP STORY
PG Live 2026 Extravaganza
Thousands of new designs and show only offers galore
The wait is almost over… only days to go until the doors open on Progressive Greetings Live 2026, unleashing a wealth of fabulous new designs, concepts and promotions from the 200 exhibitors for the two day show that takes place on Tuesday 2 June and Wednesday 3 June at London’s Business Design Centre.
“PG Live really does bring together the best things about the greeting card industry – the people and the products, and this year’s show is all lined up to be truly stonking!” stated an enthusiastic Warren Lomax, coowner of the show. “The exhibitor line-
Fish for your fortune
It will be worth swimming over to the Stormy Knight stand at PG Live as founder Sarah Jackson has come up with a fun fishy show offer.
All visitors have to do is fish the fortune fish out of their PG Live goodie bag and place it the palm of their hand and see what happens to decide what discount or offer they earn – a moving head earns a 10% discount, moving tail gets 5%, both moving wins two free card packs, there’s a gift wrap pack for curling sides, four notepads if the fish turns over, and £10 off if it curls up entirely.
“Our goodie bag item for everyone at PG Live is one of our new Pressed & Posted letterpress cards with a fortune fish,” laughed Sarah, “everyone knows them from Christmas crackers!”
be on
up reads like a who’s of well-loved brands on the Village Green and Mezzanine with the allure of emerging companies and brand new start-ups delivering their own breed of sparkle in the Upper Village and Springboard areas,” added Warren.
“And continuing the PG Live hospitality is a free lunch for all, free teas and coffees in proper cups for the duration of the show, and a free party on the opening night,” he added.
There will also be a host of show-only offers, promotions and competitions galore lined up from lots of exhibitors.
Among the many notable launches, is UKG’s Bubblegum brand’s renaissance, which will enjoy a high profile, gracing the keepsake tote bag as well as sponsoring the lunchroom.
The show will see Studio Boketto launch its inaugural licensed collection based on
Hallmark x Wendy JonesBlackett wraps a collab
Hallmark Cards has announced a colourful new gift packaging collaboration with award-winning publisher and designer Wendy Jones-Blackett which is being unveiled at PG Live.
“It’s very exciting,” said Wendy. “Hallmark is such a legendary, iconic company and I was completely thrilled to be asked to collaborate with them. Their professionalism and attention to detail perfectly complements my creative approach.”
As Hallmark’s head of commercial Fiona Pitt summed up: “This partnership merges Hallmark's long-standing heritage in emotional connection with Wendy's Yorkshire-based studio's flair for colourful detail.”
Wendy Jones-Blackett will be on Stand 235 at PG Live and Hallmark will be on Stand 519
celebrated book illustrator Richard Scarry while Hallmark is not missing the opportunity to mark Beatrix Potter’s 160th birthday, paying homage to the great lady’s timeless illustrations on the front of the building, the main stairs and of course on its products.
PG Live is open 9.30-6pm on the Tuesday 2 June (with a free opening night party onsite 6pm-7.45) and 9.30-4pm on Wednesday 3 June.
To register for the show, go to www.progressivegreetingslive.com
(For more on PG Live see Innovations pages 43-61, Bubblegum on pages 68-69, Licensing launches at PG Live on pages 71-75 and PG Live Newbies on pages 63-67)
TIC’s £1m investment
A £1million investment has seen specialist greeting card digital printer, The Imaging Centre is powering up for the future.
The family-run specialist digital printing house has just upgraded the B2 digital press at its Marden base to the latest HP
Indigo 18000 in what md Adam Short said “continues its longstanding commitment to supporting publishers and artists across the industry”.
And, backing up the company’s commitment to the greeting card industry, among the first jobs that went through the new machine were PG Live exhibitor postcards.
The Imaging Centre is once again sponsoring the Upper Village and Springboard area of PG Live and will be offering slushy margaritas on its stand within the area.`
Stormy Knight will
Stand 206 at PG Live
Above: The new Pressed & Posted design and fortune fish will be in the PG Live tote bags.
Above: The PG Live Preview just gives a taster of the product joys that will behold.
Left: In addition to loads of new products, Ohh Deer has a fortune cookie promotion.
Right: UKG’s Bubblegum characters will be leading the way to the lunchroom!
Below: The lovely, airy BDC, home to PG Live.
Below: Wendy (right) and Fiona show off the new bag collab.
Above: Candles will be among Candlelight’s PG Live and showroom displays.
Below: The Rotherham showroom experience is coming south.
The Retas 2026 Potions of Finalists Revealed
Magic in the air for lots of wizard greeting card retailers
With a wave of a wand 172 retailers can start preparing for a magical afternoon at The Retas 2026 awards as they’ve been named as this year’s worthy finalists. The Retas are a wizard time for the most extraordinary retailers as this year’s wonderful spellbinding magical mysticalthemed afternoon event will celebrate all the best independent and multiple
specialist greeting card stores regionally and nationally, as well as on the multifarious non-specialist retailers that stock cards.
The finalists in the 22 categories were arrived at thanks to nominations from publishers, reps and agents for their top shops, as well as the stores putting themselves forward by entering The Retas.
“There really is magic in the air for this year’s Retas for these retailer magicians,” said Jakki Brown, md of Max Publishing, which owns and
organises The Retas. “Every single finalist is worthy of their nominations, they all work so hard and thoroughly deserve their moment in the having been pulling out all the stops over the past year, making great product selections, updating their store environments, and engaging with customers and the community.”
Spreading the good news
Some of the delighted Retas finalists have been sharing their joy…
• At Artichoke, in Tynemouth and Heaton, coowner Cilena Easton said: “We are absolutely thrilled! We’ve just opened our second store so this is the icing on the top after a hard, tiring few months! Thank you to everyone who nominated us.”
The winners will be revealed at a magical mystical afternoon event at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday, 2 July
The full list of Retas finalists can be seen on pages 26-27
Tickets can be booked via www.maxsubscriptions.net/tickets or by contacting event manager Clare Hollick on 0118 334 0085 or clare@createvents.co.uk.
• In Malvern Sean Austin, owner of Austin & Co: “Stationery is our love but greeting cards are very much our passion. And still to be recognised after so many years just makes us strive even more to be the best we can be.”
No broomstick required
• “We couldn’t be more honoured to be recognised alongside so many wonderful independents,” said Hariett and Adam de Wolff, owners of The Indigo Tree in Crystal Palace and Blandford Forum. “It takes us right back to our Streatham branch, where it all began in 2013, when we first learned the ropes of running our own business, navigating the highs and the lows, figuring out what sold and what didn’t. It was incredibly crucial in the early months of opening to understand what the community wanted from us. Through it all, one thing that has remained constant is greeting cards.
• Carl Dunne, of Cards & Gifts in Dronfield said: “Yippee, it looks like I need to find a hotel, book train tickets – ohhh and, of course an outfit for the party!”
• Presentation in Barrowford, owner Andrea Pinder commented: “OMG! I’m thrilled, over the moon, excited, can’t believe it, bloody fantastic. All the hard work and dedication to our customers and suppliers has certainly made us stand proud, thank you.”
Time and time again, they’ve continued to bring people through our doors, helping them celebrate, comfort, connect, and share meaningful messages across the world with the people they love.
Thank you to all who have supported us along the way, we are so truly grateful! Roll on July!”
• In Wimborne Minster, The Card Gallery and Present Company owner Daniel Lee commented: “Wow! We’re absolutely over the moon to announce that we’re finalists in The Retas. We’re so thankful that we have been recognised as a standout independent retailer. It means the world to us. Running a small business takes so much heart, grit, and determination.
To our brilliant team, past and present, and to our wonderful, loyal customers: thank you. You’re the reason we get to do what we love every day. Here’s to being an independent retailer.”
The Art File’s head of design, Lucie Cox has conjured up the suitably fabulous official ticket to The Retas. Sharing her design inspirations for this, Lucie said: “I chose to use my Storybook card collection as the foundation for the design, as its range and typography naturally lend themselves to a magical theme. Much of mystical folklore is rooted in storytelling and old fables, so the bookinspired aesthetic felt like the perfect way to tie everything together. From there, I began
illustrating a variety of magical elements, drawing inspiration from woodland botanicals often associated with potionmaking, as well as witchy birds, insects, and more traditional symbols of witchcraft. The result is a rich menagerie of mystical details. Finished with touches of gold stars and a hint of sparkle, the design comes together as something truly spellbinding - perfectly suited to The Retas magical theme.”
Above: The wonderful ticket for The Retas. Below: The Art File’s Lucie Cox worked her design magic.
Below: The Retas awards simply wouldn’t happen without the raft of generous sponsors.
Below: The Indigo Tree’s Harriet, Adam and Meg de Wolff are thrilled to be finalists.
Below: Carl Dunne is hoping to repeat last year’s winning feat and outfit.
TGJones’ Closures Start
Restructuring plan still to be approved but closing down sales are happening
The closing down sales have started at TGJones, less than a week after the announcement of the restructuring plan by owner Modella Capital.
Despite the plan to close stores and slash payments that are due to suppliers –including greeting card publishers who have already delivered stock – not having received approval from creditors, with the court process due to start on 3 June, the private equity and investment company that bought WHSmith’s High Street arm for £42million a year ago has already started closing stores.
And The Sunday Times has revealed that documents circulated to creditors show WHS – where the loss of the 234-year-old retail name has been blamed for many of the chain’s woes – is now unlikely to receive anything close to the final agreed amount, which had already been slashed from the initial £76m asking price.
Modella saw off competition from a number of other businesses to buy the stationery, greeting card and convenience chain, paying just £10m up front with the remaining £32m dependent on the renamed TGJones’ cashflow through the 464 stores that were taken over – and there was a caveat that kept Modella from shutting underperforming shops or restructuring for 12 months.
However, having just passed that timescale, the
owner is planning a dramatic restructuring where more than 100 outlets will close – it’s known as a ‘cram-down’ which requires only one class of creditor to consent, and to get it approved by a High Court judge TGJones has to prove that creditors would be no worse off if it went into administration.
Landlords are expected to face demands for severe reductions in rent, raising the prospect that some could simply take back the keys to their shops, suppliers have been divided into three main camps with publishers of varying sizes named in each – 18 publishers are in the exit category being removed from TGJones’ supplier list and will receive no money owed as of 29 June, three non-core publishers are due to receive 50% of monies owed but over 36 months, while eight core publishers should be paid full monies owed but over 18 months, starting six months after the plan is accepted – if it is.
In addition, it is understood that there is also an undisclosed group of ‘protected’ suppliers.
(See Cardsharp pages 30-31)
RMAT helps Mariella Frostrup crack the menopause
The Rosie Made A Thing, Gin & Frolics card range has received the Mariella Fostrup seal of approval and helped the broadcaster and journalist crack the menopause. Mariella contacted Rosie Made A Thing founder and creative director Rosie Harrison who provided illustrations for her three-date live show, Cracking The
Menopause – with Hollywood star Cate Blanchett seen giggling in the audience.
“Couldn’t be more excited and honoured that the brilliant @rosiemadeathing, my go-to for cards, has created a series of illustrations to jazz up our live shows,” Mariella posted on her Instagram feed. “She perfectly captures the indignities and epiphanies of midlife and, of course, the humour…which is exactly our intention with our myth-busting fun-filled show!”
Pick of the bunch
Maestro of greeting card printing techniques, Brian Frost, coowner of Abbot Print, has delved deep, not just in his determination to create an ultradeep embossing technique, but to also come up smelling of roses on how to promote it.
The resulting technique, which debuts at PG Live, is being christened on Rosanna Rossi’s Plush Print collection as well as on a limited edition textured paper vase and garden of flowers that will be on Abbot’s stand. A taster of this is also included in an envelope distributed with this edition of PG.
As Brian explained: “I have been perfecting the really, really deep embossing effect for the last six months, recognising it as a way for publishers to offer a sustainable ‘added value’ effect. Wanting to bring this to life, and inspired by my wife buying a Gluggle Jug and appreciating its tactility, we came up with the idea of translating our new technique onto a fun keepsake for PG Live.”
Visitors to the show can come and select their own flowers and vases on Stand 229.
Lil Wabbit x HeKnitt
Georgi Doig has turned into a right knit-wit as the Lil Wabbitt publisher has crafted a new licensed collaboration with French wool artist HeKnitt Known for his charming hand-knitted frogs, HeKnitt’s work has been turned into a 25-strong collection of cute photographic greeting card designs covering everyday and seasonal occasions. Lil Wabbit will be at PG Live on Stand 405
Above: The closures, such as this store in Solihull, mean post office services are also being lost. Below: This Burton branch of TG Jones suddenly announced it was having a closing down sale.
Above: The vase and three flowers are being inserted in every copy of this PG edition.
Below: Rosanna Rossi is the first publisher to be using the Abbot’s new technique, on the Plush Print collection it is launching at PG Live.
Above: Rosie’s Gin & Frolics designs illustrated one of the posters. Right: Mariella Frostrup used the RMAT illustrations during the shows.
Above: Some of the HeKnitt everyday cards from Lil Wabbitt.
TOP STORY
Universal Public Vote
94% of UK consumers buy cards, reveals UKG research
More members of the UK public buy greeting cards than ever before, according to the latest research findings from UK Greetings, which highlights that 94% of UK consumers bought at least one card in the last year. This is a 1% increase on the previous Insights
Tracker annual survey undertaken by UKG and a 2% increase on the 92% of consumers’ card engagement revealed by marketing data and analytics company Numerator at the GCA conference last September.
“It continues a long-standing trend of nearuniversal engagement with the category,” UKG’s channel and insight manager Alex Kennedy told PG. “We’ve been tracking the category for nearly 15 years now and it’s something we consistently see – and testament to the strength of our industry!”
Every year the publisher polls 5,000 consumers mapped to the UK population in its Incidence Check, and the latest stats from the survey show the average number of cards purchased has edged up to 17 per person, from 16 the previous year, which Alex said suggests “some stabilisation and a return to growth”.
She added that younger consumers are a real positive for the sector: “We’re seeing an uplift in cards per person among Gen Z (1997-2012 age group) and Gen Y (19811996), which feels like an important shift in terms of future momentum.”
“It’s really heartening to see just how important greeting cards continue to be for people across the UK. Even as habits evolve, that desire to connect in a meaningful, personal way is still very much there. It’s
especially encouraging to see younger consumers engaging more with the category –they’re bringing their own perspective on what matters, which creates some exciting opportunities for the future.”
People Moves
Grocery remains a key channel for card buying, with increased share, alongside continued growth in online purchasing – again mapping what Numerator’s Jon Hendy told the conference as his chart showed what percentage of GB households buy which products with cards right up near the top, where 92% of households buying cards, only topped at the time by ice cream and everyday biscuits at 94%,
Craig Thomson is joining GBCC as area sales manager for Scotland and will be based north of the border. For over two decades, Craig worked for Hallmark, latterly as national sales manager responsible for UK and Ireland sales and sales teams.
Jon said: “Curiously, third from the bottom is tea, with 84% of the population buying tea. So more British people are buying more cards than tea – as we're often claimed to be a nation of tea drinkers, it's more honest to say we're a nation of card givers.
The new UKG research concurs, with Alex adding: “What we’re seeing is a category that’s staying highly relevant, but with behaviours evolving – particularly among younger consumers, who still really value cards but are a bit more selective and driven by meaning rather than obligation. It’s a genuinely encouraging picture overall.”
Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday card menagerie
There was a run on 100th birthday cards of late as thousands of people have been wishing Sir David Attenborough many happy returns on his centenary on 8 May.
And the veteran broadcaster and environmentalist issued an audio thank you in which he said: “I have been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings, from pre-school groups to care home residents, and countless individuals and families of all ages.”
A highlight of the televised David Attenborough’s 100 Years On Planet Earth event that was staged in his honour at the Royal Albert Hall included a beautiful shot film of King Charles writing Sir David a special 100th birthday card which was then delivered by a series of British animals, from a hedgehog, to a
There’s a change at the top of Design Group as Gerald Kuehr has been welcomed as CEO designate. Having joined the board on 1 May, he is set to take up his new post on 1 July, when Stewart Gilliand will revert to his role as non-executive chair. Previously Gerald held several senior global leadership roles at Unilever and has been CEO of Partner In Pet Food (PPF) for five years, where he completed five acquisitions and repositioned the business from its Eastern European roots to operating across 10 markets.
Heyyy Cards, owned by Yvette and Dan Clarkson, has taken on its first employee. Becky Beattie is joining as operations assistant based at Heyyy HQ in Rotherham. “Becky’s bringing fresh energy to help process all of our lovely orders and keep us smiling,” laughed Yvette.
swan, an otter to a barn owl.
Of those in the greeting card world marking the occasion, including from Hannah Dale, founder of Wrendale Designs posted a specially-drawn image: “Happy 100th birthday to Sir David Attenborough. The secret worlds he revealed in far-flung places helped to ignite in me a love of nature that inspired me to study zoology and has shaped the path my life has taken.”
Right: Clips from the film that tracks King Charles writing a 100th birthday card to it being delievered by animals and birds.
Left: Hannah Dale released this special drawing of Sir David, who has been overwhelmed by his birthday greetings
Right: A social media post by UKG which is likely to resonate with the public.
Above: Craig Thomson is in Scotland for GBCC.
Above: Gerald Kuehr joins Design Group.
Above: Heyyy Cards’ first employee is Becky Beattie.
Above: Numerator’s research shared at the GCA Conference highlighted that cards are more British than tea.
Above: UKG has been investing in greeting card insights for years.
TOP STORY
Blue Building Goes Green
Woodmansterne earns B Corp certification
Having proven that it is pursuing purpose as well as profit, B Lab, the not-for-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, has certified that Milton Keynes and Watford-based Woodmansterne has met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
At the recent celebratory announcement event, held at its impressive Magna Park production hub in Milton Keynes, ceo Seth Woodmansterne told the whole team: “Yes, we’re in a big blue building, but this is the one of the greenest buildings in the country. This is a second carbon net zero certified warehouse in the UK.”
The lengthy process to earn the certification was overseen by operations director Rhiannon PryceLewis, and came about because Seth and his dad Paul, now chairman of the third-generation business, had
been discussing ways to show how the company wants to be “successful and honourable”.
Seth explained the B in B Corp stands for benefit: “We as a business have been considered to be honourable and good in the way we operate in three regards, we operate and think of things in terms of the benefit of employees, to the benefit of the environment, so conscious of our footprint of how we operate in the planet and to the benefit of our communities.
“Over the many years that I've had lovely conversations with my father Paul, I remember very vividly that his ambition, his mission, when running this business, was to prove that you can be successful and do it honourably.
“I remember a conversation my dad and I had in the kitchen 18 months ago, talking about how we can't mark our own homework. So, we landed on this idea of becoming B Corp. An independent authority able to give us this logo to add to what we do.”
From A to B
As PG went to press
The Art File had just had its B Corp certification confirmed.
Announcing the news
Ged Mace, md said: “As we grow as a company, we’re always looking at ways of how we can improve everything we do. B Corp seemed the ideal opportunity for The Art File to review how we nurture our team, how we look after our customers, the closeness of our relationships with our supply chain, the nature of what we produce and its impact on our community and our sustainability. It’s been an extraordinary journey and we’ve found the process has enriched every area of our business. B Corp is not just a certification; it’s a movement and a promise from businesses to always try to do their best.”
Windles’ winning ways
POC at UKG
UK Greetings recently welcomed a visit to its Dewsbury base by the Products Of Change team to give the sustainability membership organisation a deeper understanding of UKG’s journey and the strides it has made on the environmental front in the greeting card industry.
Louise James, UKG’s head of branded product said: “It was fantastic to discuss the sustainability journey that UKG is on and to share more about the greeting card industry as a whole, and how we can collaborate moving forward.”
After a tour of the Yorkshire production facilities,
the discussion centred on POC’s new Product Maturity Index, and how it can support licensors and licensees in tracking and advancing their sustainability efforts.
Working to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, UKG optimises every stage of the products life it produces, rethinking designs and using more sustainable materials to encouraging people to reuse cards creatively, as well as ensuring they can easily be recycled, with a focus on preventing waste and using as little plastic and packaging as possible.
Print excellence has recently earned Windles Group the prestigious accolade of Printweek’s Packaging Printer Of The Year – with its greeting card work in the mix. And the renowned sustainable business –which secured BCorp status last autumn – has several other recent honours too, having been awarded a good supplier mark from Positive Luxury, as well as a Thame Sustainability Champion Award in the company’s hometown.
Windles has also been awarded a Plastic-Free Champion certificate and plaque from Surfers Against Sewage. The marine conservation and campaigning charity that aims to protect the ocean and all it makes possible, makes the awards as part of its the Plastic Free Communities campaign, honouring businesses that remove single-use plastic from their processes.
Windles’ sales rep Sarah Clements, whose work helped achieve the bronze award, said: “We demonstrated a huge commitment to reducing and removing as much plastic as we can from our production areas, offices and outdoor spaces, and we’re continuing our efforts in and around our home to minimise our impact on the environment we work and live in.”
Below: Seth with young son Peregrine and dad Paul and the Woody team at the B Corp announcement.
Above: The Art File has also recently become B Corp.
Above: POC’s Nicola Webster, Kathryn Brand (2nd and 3rd from left) and Helena Mansell-Stopher (5th from left) with UKG’s Chris Shaw (far left), Louise James (centre), Michelle Chandler (second left) and Julian McGowan.
Above: Windles’ Sarah Clements.
Brand new ranges are being launched at PG Live! There’s never been a better time to visit Paperlink at STAND 201
Can’t wait to explore our cards? Browse and order the full range online at paperlink.co.uk/pg
TOP STORY
CF Growth Despite Profits Drop
Cautious consumers and weaker footfall hit
Cardfactory’s figures
Weaker High Street footfall combined with cautious consumer spending are being cited as the reasons for a drop in profits at Cardfactory, hitting trading over the key Christmas period.
However, the greeting card and celebrations retail giant reported a growth in sales for the year to 31 January, along with its continuing store expansions, with revenue rising 7.4% to £582.7million although adjusted pretax profit fell 15.2% to £56m and reported pre-tax profit dropped 31.5% to £43.9m.
"Despite a challenging consumer backdrop in FY26, we continued to execute our strategy to transform Cardfactory into a global celebrations group, underpinned by targeted investment and disciplined cost management,” said ceo Darcy WillsonRymer. “We are encouraged by the positive contributions of our acquired businesses, with the acquisition of FunkyPigeon.com accelerating our digital capabilities and strengthening our platform for future online growth.
Below left: Cardfactory’s ceo Darcy Willson-Rymer said the business has robust plans for FY27.
27 net new stores during the year, taking its estate across the UK and Ireland to 1,117 sites, with Strathkelvin in Glasgow, Hull Willerby, Stirchley in Brimingham, and Dundee opening in January. It is planning to open 26 new stores in the coming year.
Looking ahead, Cardfactory said trading in the first three months of FY27 had been in line with the same period last year. However, the business warned ongoing geopolitical instability and conflict in the Middle East could affect freight, fuel and input costs, but said it expected full-year adjusted profits to be in line with market expectations.
The category performance saw a 0.9% LFL decline in card sales which impacted attached gifting, down 1.9%, while celebration essentials’ sales grew 1.7%.
Cardies triumph in GOTY
Greetings folk’s expansions into other products proved a winner at the recent Gift Awards event, which saw the The Gift Of The Year Awards for products and The Greats awards for retailers announced.
While
legendary fashion designer Jeff Banks CBE hosted The Greats gift retailer awards, comedian Ignacio Lopez hosted GOTY.
The 400 guests, spanning gift retailers and suppliers, saw The Art File’s tie-up with Gibson Games hit the spot, triumphing in both the Best Festive & Occasions Product and the Best Games & Puzzles Product, while Fox Under The Moon’s licensed range with Joe Davies picked up the Best Branded Gift Product award.
Ohh Deer, The Little Dog Laughed, Neon Magpie and Sunshine Lane were winners in their own right in the Best Affordable Gift Product, Best Pet Gift Product, Best Beauty, Bath & Spa Product, and Health & Wellbeing categories.
Like-for-like store sales were broadly flat across the year at -0.2%, with higher basket values offset by fewer transactions as shoppers made fewer trips and spent more carefully. The retailer opened
On the wholesale partnerships side, the business has developed a strategy for North American, said its rollout of the full-service model with The Reject Shop in Australia has been successful while further developing its Aldi partnership, with additional seasonal and Christmas ranges delivering strong performance in FY26. The FY27 plan prioritises deploying a card strategy for North America to support ambition from FY28 of capturing 1-2% share of the US addressable market by the end of the decade.
Call for views on Royal Mail card sending promotions
The GCA’s latest meetings with Royal Mail have led to the launch of a new survey for those in the greeting card community to look at marketing initiatives to encourage card sending.
This move follows the release of RM’s quality of service improvement plan agreed with the postal unions over the full roll-out by April 2027 of everyother-working-day second-class delivery.
“The GCA continues to meet regularly with Royal Mail, and is also in touch with Ofcom and relevant MPs,” said GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson. “We are concerned that the roll out of the improvement plan should be completed, and service levels restored, before Ofcom consult on the second-class price cap
due to expire in 2027.”
Sue Marks, the editor of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net was presented with, The Gift Awards Outstanding Achievement Award.
But she added that there is a joint RM/GCA marketing round table planned for June. Amanda added:
“Ahead of this we have pulled together a list of potential initiatives, some suggested by RM at our recent meeting and some by us, which we are sharing with the industry to gather feedback as we want to be able to go back to Royal Mail and demonstrate industry support for ideas which we think could work.”
The survey lists 19 ideas including send early campaigns, earlier last posting dates for Christmas, improved stamp availability, volume stamp discounts, everyday card sending campaigns, and retail support. Visitors to PG Live can find out more on the GCA area just outside the lunchroom.
Left: Cardfactory staff feel upbeat about trading.
Above: Ohh Deer’s co-founder Mark Callaby (centre) collected the trophy from Penny Shaw, director of sponsor CardGains for its Tiny Notes range. Ohh Deer also triumphed in the recent B&LLAs with its NHM card range.
Below: Morleys’ buyer Marianne Carter collected the award for Best Department Store of Gifts from Karen Wilson, owner of sponsor Paper Salad.
Right: GCA’s Amanda Fergusson with RM’s director of external affairs and policy David Gold (left) and CEO Alistair Cochrane.
Above: Royal Mail got behind promoting
DANILO’S PG LIVE 2026 CARDS CHARACTERS
WITH
Danilo will return to Stand 513 at PG Live 2026, bringing a strong mix of licensed favourites, lifestyle ranges and trend-led newness — all geared to help retailers build ranges that resonate with today’s consumer. With a clear, easy-to-shop layout and a focus on commercially proven brands, the stand offers plenty of inspiration — as well as solid opportunities to secure strong sell-through.
MOVIE MOMENTUM
There’s a definite buzz around entertainment-led brands this year — and Danilo is leaning right into it.
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One of the headline moments is the return of Angry Birds into the Danilo portfolio. Bold, instantly recognisable and full of personality, it’s set to make an immediate impact — brought to life with a special character appearance on Danilo’s stand on the Tuesday. With the upcoming Angry Birds 3 movie landing this December, the brand is perfectly placed to build momentum across the second half of the year.
Hot on its heels are the Minions, returning with the Minions & Monsters movie landing in cinemas this July, while PAW Patrol is also set for a boost with the new PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie releasing in August — making all three strong contenders for retailers looking to capitalise on movie-driven demand.
NOSTALGIA, BUT WITH NEWNESS
Nostalgia continues to be a key driver — but it’s not just about the familiar, it’s about bringing it back in a fresh way.
For 2026, Where’s Wally?, Mog The Cat and Gilmore Girls all join the nostalgia greeting card line-up for Danilo, offering retailers new takes on much-loved brands that span generations. They sit comfortably alongside the humorous new designs of Ladybird Books for Grown Ups and the enduring sweet appeal of Peanuts, creating a well-rounded offer that taps into both sentiment and shelf standout.
LIFESTYLE THAT HITS THE RIGHT NOTE
Danilo’s lifestyle portfolio continues to go from strength to strength, offering a strong complement to the licensed ranges.
Collections from Brightside, Bexy Boo, Kate Smith and Lucy Claire Illustrations span a variety of occasions, adult age cards and open captions — delivering a mix of humour, warmth and contemporary design suited to everyday sending and more personal moments.
KIDS & TWEENS: WHERE THE ENERGY IS
The juvenile category remains a real focus for Danilo, with plenty of colour, personality and trend-led design.
KPop Demon Hunters new cards and wrap continue to bring a fresh, graphic edge, tapping into the global rise of K-culture and its influence on younger audiences.
Alongside this, new designs for popular brands such as Hello Kitty and Friends, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bluey, Minecraft, Care Bears and Dogman ensure there’s a breadth of cards across all ages and interests — giving retailers confidence in both relevance and repeat sales.
SCORING WITH SPORT
Sport remains a dependable performer, and Danilo’s latest football card designs are set to deliver for retailers. With updated designs across leading Premier League clubs, alongside England designs ahead of the upcoming World Cup, the range offers strong year-round appeal — tapping into both everyday occasions and key sporting moments that drive incremental sales.
With a strong blend of new licences, nostalgic favourites, lifestyle design and trend-led brands, Danilo’s PG Live 2026 showcase on Stand 513 offers plenty for retailers to get excited about.
agic Touche
The Retas 2026 Finalists
After a rigorous canvassing of publishers, reps and agents for their retailer nominations and a thorough cajoling and encouraging greeting card retailers to enter The Retas, the finalists of this year’s 2026 greeting card retailers of the year have been revealed! The winners of these dedicated awards will be announced at a spellbinding magical mystical-themed afternoon extravaganza on Thursday 2 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel , that will be attended by over 400 members of the greeting card community.
THE RETAS AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – London
Earlybird Cards & Gifts, Stoke Newington, Gift, Crouch End Gifts On The Green, Fulham Greetings, Dulwich
Indigo Tree, Crystal Palace
Medici Gallery, South Kensington Nor, Beckenham Park Place and West Norwood
Pretty Shiny Shop, Finsbury Park
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – Home Counties
Etcetera, Hitchin George's, Whitstable Malarkey Cards, Brighton No14 Ampthill, Ampthill Objectables, Folkestone Red Card and Little Red, Petworth Threads, Harpenden Zest, Crowborough
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – East Anglia
Abigail's Cards & Gifts and Just Cards, Dereham and Norwich Cards ’N’ Things, Norwich Chapmans Of Southwold, Southwold Creativity, Sheringham
Dzo Dzo, Woodbridge
The Pug And The Pussycat, Aldeburgh
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – Midlands
Austin & Co, Malvern
Daisy Chain, Stratford Upon Avon
Design 44, Derby, Trentham, Lincoln For Something Different, Stratford Upon Avon
Hugs & Kisses, Tettenhall
Mad Molly, Shipston On Stour Set, Leicester
The Token House, Nottingham
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – North East
Artichoke, Tynemouth and Heaton Cards & Gifts, Dronfield
Chirpy, Chapel Allerton
Daisy Taylor, York Design@Six, Wetherby
Nickery Nook, Bedale
Rustle & Co, Rowdon
Shop Indie, Chesterfield
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – North West
Baileys, Ainsdale, Crosby and Maghull
Celebrations, Carlisle
Lollypop, Holcombe Brook Presentation, Barrowford
RBUK, Rochdale
Reflections, Nantwich
Temptations, Middlewich
The Warren, Stockport
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – South West
Card Collection, Bath and Salisbury
Card Gallery and Present Company, Wimborne Minster
Kingfisher Cards, Sidmouth
Kondi Gifts, Bristol
Paper Gangsta, Bristol
Sky, Clifton
Southbourne Cards, Bournemouth
Stationery House, Somerton and Clevedon
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – Scotland
The Bay Tree, Edinburgh
Bearing Gifts, Troon
Best Wishes, Aberdeen
Cloud 9, Edinburgh
Pencil Me In, Elgin
Penny Black, Glasgow
Pippin, Edinburgh
The Alchemist, Dingwall
Best Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards – Wales
Creative Cove, Daisy Daisy, Llanishen
Dotty Daganwyu, Halls Of Llandaff, Paperweight, Serenade Rhiwbina, WhimWham,
Sincerely Yours, Shenfield and Hornchurch Upstairs Downstairs, Cromer
Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer
Branthwaites, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Happiness Is Handmade, Devizes
Heaton Flora, Newcastle
The Little Shop, Rochester
Magazine Heaven, Northants
Mettle & Wishbone, Rothley Moments, Gillingham
Nice Thoughts, Coleshill
Best Independent Bookstore Retailer Of Greeting Cards
Aldeburgh Bookstore, Aldeburgh Blandfords, Ledbury and Broadway
Carnforth Bookshop, Carnforth
Edge Of The World, Penzance
The Hedgehog Bookshop, Penrith
Highgate Bookshop, London
Mostly Books, Abingdon
The Whitby Bookstore, Whitby
Best Independent Non-Specialist Retailer Of Greeting Cards – South &Quirky, Berkhamsted
Bunka, Beckenham and Forest Hill
Cranbornes, Shaftesbury and Dorchester
Darts Farm, Topsham
Just Delights, Penryn
Sewsilver, Worthing
Strawberry Fields, Lifton
Tindalls, Cambridge and Ely
Best Independent Non-Specialist Retailer Of Greeting Cards – North
A Stone's Throw, Sherwood
Fred Aldous, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield
Give The Dog A Bone, York
The Hollies, Little Budworth, Lower Stretton and Tarporley
Kemps General Store, Malton
Pentwortham Hill Post Office, Penwortham
Richard Harvey Collection, Shipston-on-Stour
Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow
Best Non-Specialist Multiple Retailer Of Greeting Cards
National Trust, 110+ locations
Next, 442 stores
Oliver Bonas, 90+ stores
Ryman Design/Ryman/London
Graphic Centre, 200 stores
UOE/Stamp, 40+ stores
Vinegar Hill, 11 stores
Waterstones, 320 stores
Best Supermarket Retailer Of Greeting Cards
Asda, 1,100+stores
Booths, 27 stores
CoOp, 2,400 stores
M&S, 1,000+ stores
Morrisons, 1,880 stores
Sainsbury's, 1,400+ stores
Tesco, 3,000+ stores
Waitrose, 421 stores
Best Department Store Retailer Of Greeting Cards
Barkers, Northallerton
Daniels, Windsor
Best Garden Centre Retailer Of Greeting Cards Multiple
Blue Diamond, 54 centres
British Garden Centre, 79 centres
Haskins, 5 centres
Klondykes & Strikes, 23 centres
Longacres, 6 centres
Notcutts Garden Centres, 19 centres
Otter Garden Centres, 8 centres
RHS, 5 centres
Best Greeting Card Retailer Initiative
Earlybird Cards & Gifts, Stoke Newington for its Happy Cards Competition
Fortnum & Mason, London
Jarrold, Norwich
John Lewis & Partners
Liberty, London Morleys Stores
Vincent Davies, Haverfordwest
Best Greeting Card Retailer Small Multiple
Between The Lines, 19 stores
Expressions, Polka Dot, Cat's Whiskers, The Card Shop, 4 stores in south-west
Henry & Co, 9 stores in the Midlands
Jumping Bean, 5 stores in London
Mooch, 4 stores in London
Paper Tiger, 4 stores in Edinburgh
Smart ideas, 7 stores in The Midlands Utility, 6 stores in Altrincham, Liverpool and Manchester
Best Specialist Multiple Retailer Of Greeting Cards
Cards Direct, 89 stores nationwide
Cardfactory, 1,117 stores nationwide
Cards Galore, 30+ stores in London area
Cardzone/Clintons/House of Cards, 340+ stores nationwide
Postmark, 16 stores in London and Glasgow
Scribbler, 38 stores in the UK
Best Garden Centre Retailer Of Greeting Cards Independent
Bernaville Nurseries, Exeter
Burford Garden Centre, Oxford
Fron Goch Garden Centre, Caernarfon
Garsons, Esher and Titchfield
Henry Street Garden Centre, Reading
Monkton Elm, Taunton
Perrywood, Buckhatch, Sudbury and Tiptree Scotsdales, Great Shelford, Fordham and Horningsea
Fenwick, Newcastle, for its NCUK/Jungle Studio Initiative
Highworth Emporium, Highworth for its Thinking of You Week/Volunteers’ Week Campaign
The Letter Arty, Manchester, for its Choose Cards Christmas Jumper Campaign
More Than Just A Gift, Narborough, for its Smart Shopkeepers’ Club
Moments, Gillingham, for its Care Home Initiative
Sincerely Yours and Cardmitments for the Cards Make People Happy Paper Bags Initiative
Stow News and Post Office, Stow-onthe-Wold for its Thank You Postcards Initiative
Best Greeting Card Wholesaler
Archway Cards, Norwich
Crosswear Trading, Enfield
The Jade Group, Bourdon Jackson's, Sheffield
Merseyside Greetings, Liverpool Tiger Feet, 8 branches
Greeting Card Retailer of the Year
All winners of The Retas 2026 categories are contenders for this award, so, as such no finalists are revealed until the awards event on July 2.
#retas26
The Quiet Power
Life has a habit of taking you by surprise and not always in a good way. My mum has been having regular blood tests for some time due to her arthritis medication while reassuring us that some issues with her white blood cell count were nothing to be worried about. Then, suddenly a few weeks ago we received a serious diagnosis of myeloid leukaemia.
we both like to see the actual cards) and planning out the second half of the year. Then her diagnosis hit home, coming as such a shock to our family, our team as well as our agents, suppliers and friends with whom we have shared the news.
The windowsill of her hospital ward is full of cards she has been sent and each day she enjoys opening and reading the new ones that arrive and looking at the display.
These are the moments that remind you exactly why our industry exists and why cards are still so important.
Every day the nurses comment on the card display, making me even more aware of what we are actually selling. A card is not just a folded piece of paper.
As a retailer, when someone stops at
your Get Well/Thinking of You card selection, you can almost hear them thinking: “What do I say? How do I say it? Will this be enough?”
When someone is ill, that card isn’t just another purchase, it is personal and when it is a close family member the words and sentiment matter even more. Illness has a way of shrinking the world. Routines stop. Social contact drops. Days blur.
And what card buyers are trying to do in that moment is to remind someone that they’re not alone.
This is where a greeting card really comes into its own. Not as a product, but as a gesture. It sits quietly on a bedside table or
Over the last three weeks of travelling to and from Aberdeen hospital to be with my Mum as she embarked on a long road of chemotherapy, the quiet power of greeting cards has been working its medicinal magic.
mantelpiece, doing its job long after it’s been opened. It is tangible proof that someone thought about you, someone is thinking about you. In a world of instant messages, that kind of presence still matters.
Breaking this down further, when customers stand in front of the card fixture, they’re not just choosing a card, they’re choosing how they want to show up emotionally. And that’s where the strength of the UK card industry really reveals itself, because the best publishers aren’t just producing designs, they’re producing emotional options.
Each range can do a different job. Many of you will have a balanced control where there will be a few options to give your customer choice.
Soft florals, clean typography and simple captions like ‘Thinking of you’ or ‘Sending love’ do not overthink and offer no risk.
This is where most customers start and often where they stay, because when the situation is sensitive, safe wins.
From a retailer point of view, this is still where you will turn volume. It would be easy to mistake it for ‘basic’ but getting ‘simple’ right is one of the hardest things in this category.
Slowing the moment down when you want to say a little more, but are not sure how to, brings up other options.
Below: Just some of the cards his mum Lynda Robertson has received during her recent time in hospital.
Right: A little touch from a Caroline Gardner card.
Moving on from the simple message, you can then be more reflective. These cards will often be blank for your own very personal thoughts. They may be floral or a classic scene with less caption but more feeling.
These types of cards are chosen when the relationship is closer, or the situation more serious. Customers linger longer when considering these cards. They may pick one up, put it back and come back again. They’re not buying quickly, they’re buying carefully.
And while these might not be your fastest sellers, they’re often your most meaningful, and with the highest perceived value.
When and if appropriate, gentle humour is another category which shines for these occasions. Humour in this category is like walking a tightrope as too much it feels insensitive, too little and it feels flat. But when it lands, it’s powerful.
Customers will often say, “They’d appreciate a laugh” and in many cases, they’re right. These cards don’t just show care, they lift mood.
This is where independents really earn their keep, helping customers judge the tone in a way supermarkets simply can’t.
There’s still a huge place for softness
designs and messaging on them have also had to change. Also, it is not always about having to send a card because someone is ill. Initiatives like GCA’s Thinking of You Week have helped reposition this category from reactive to proactive. It’s about connection. It can be about mental health or just a simple reminder that people matter. That subtle shift creates more reasons to send cards, not fewer. And it brings new customers, particularly younger ones, back into the habit of card sending, making humans feel better, lifting the spirits.
This is our moment to prove why we are specialists at what we do.
So, what does that mean for us?
Whether you select your own cards or have a managed control you need to really challenge yourself as to whether your cards really cover the different emotionally nuances, as well as design styles and price points.
We are curating an emotional choice for our customers. This is of course a key part of all indie stores. Supermarkets and even card chains cater to the masses. In our stores we each know who our core customer is and what they tend to like.
and comfort. These cards are chosen for family, for older recipients, for situations where warmth matters more than design trends.
And despite everything that’s changed in retail, this style continues to sell because the emotion behind it hasn’t changed at all. Cute designs often work here too.
Do you have the right curated mix of designs for… the safe
What’s interesting and commercially important is how this space is evolving. Get Well was the standard for a long time. We then had more specific captions such as ‘while you are in hospital’, or ‘after your operation’ but now with life difficult, illness being more complicated and the challenges of treatment getting complex, the card
option, the thoughtful option, the uplifting option, the sympathetic option and the funny option?
Customers simply don’t all approach these moments the same way. And when they’re buying for someone who’s ill, they’re not rushing. They’re reading, they’re thinking, they’re trying to get it right.
If you ever question whether greeting cards still matter, just stand by that fixture for ten minutes and you’ll see it. You’ll see people taking their time. You’ll see care. You’ll see thought. Because when life gets difficult, people don’t reach for the fastest option, they reach for the most meaningful one. And in that moment, quietly and consistently that’s still embodied a greeting card.
My mum has now received over 50 cards and has taken so much from each one and each message, finding comfort in them all. The nurses, cleaners and even doctors have also all commented on them and it is interesting as they have all said it is so nice to see so many as it is not as common as before.
As I leave her ward, I see a wall of Thank You cards given/sent to the nurses.
Every message written inside those cards is similar in sentiment, saying how brilliant the staff are, how their chats and positivity had kept people going in serious and dark times.
In all of the serious conversations I have had of late, one light moment concerned the card that my son Hudson was to give to his granny. Seeing the card my wife had bought he had a meltdown. “I love Winnie the Pooh, Granny doesn’t really like him” he reasoned. “I want to keep it. I want it for my birthday!” he urged, showing his true love of a card!
So, never think what you are selling are ‘just cards’. What we do is important as we allow people to connect, to respect, to celebrate and ultimately create memories. Words, writing, feelings there really is nothing better and all can be felt each time you read that card.
What’s App, Messenger or even a phone call fade yet that card remains there as a constant reminder of the care shown.
l To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com
Left: David with some of the nurses who have been looking after his mum. Below: A Thank You tree of cards at Aberdeen hospital.
Right: Cute familiarity from a Carte Blanche Me To You card. Far right: You need to really know someone before sending a humorous card like this, from Word Play Design.
cardsharp
The only detail of the proposed restructuring plan for TG Jones that surprised Cardsharp is that owners, Modella Capital utilised a relatively new form of restructuring known as a 'cramdown’, which unlike a normal Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) requires a High Court judge’s approval. Apparently, to get it through the courts, Modella will have to prove that the only other alternative would be TG Jones going into administration and to demonstrate that
creditors (which include a number of greeting card publishers, stationery companies, gift and toy companies as well as landlords) would be no worse off if that were the case.
Well, it is difficult to see how creditors could have been worse off. Or how the new arrangements will make them any better off? Also, Cardsharp wondered what happened to the old system where all creditors other than secured ones were treated equally.
While the national media was quick to
swoop on how under the planned restructure up to 150 stores will close, nothing was written on how suppliers and landlords will suffer after this new proposed procedure. Cardsharp can guarantee though it won’t be good news.
The 'deal’ proposed by Modella to trade creditors really is a 'Deal No Deal?'. It is legalised theft, thinks Cardsharp. Without any warning suppliers received what was described as a ‘Practice Statement Letter’, spanning 214 pages, demanding ‘immediate and urgent attention’.
Wading through it, around 170 pages in, it reveals which suppliers are put in one of three camps for a ‘Planned Restructure’.
Those ‘three camps’ are ‘Exit’, ‘Non-Core’ or ‘Core’. Those publishers and other suppliers in the Exit camp means they will be taken off
Below: At the very least a third of TG Jones’ estate is to disappear from the UK high streets.
Right: Going for a ‘cram-down’ restructuring plan requires approval from the High Court.
Inset: An opportunistic weasel.
the TG Jones supplier list. Under the proposed restructure, none of these suppliers will receive any of the money owed to them as of June 29 when the plan could be formally agreed by the Court.
Those creditors deemed as Non-Core will receive 50% of the money they are owed, but over 36 months. The final category is for so-called ‘Core’ suppliers, or as Cardsharp likes to refer to it as the ‘Purgatory’ category. They will be paid their money owed, but over 18 months, and only starting six months if/when the plan is accepted in late June.
Cardsharp also heard there is another protected group too, but that has not been disclosed. How does Modella get away with it? The answer is the lax bankruptcy laws in the UK that seriously need looking at. In their existing form these blood sucking barracudas will just continue to take the proverbial p@@@! Forget all the weasel words emanating from Modella about “saving jobs” and the duplicitous rewriting of history, such as: “We didn’t realise how important the WHSmith name was to the business”. They knew what they were doing right from the start. It is hard to know who to have the most sympathy for. Those suppliers who have been ‘Exited', or those 'Core’ suppliers, destined to be stuck in a kind of endless slow death, waiting for Modella to pull the plug and liquidate the company after the tills have been emptied following the
golden quarter in the run up to Christmas.
And for those Core suppliers, they will be no doubt be expected to supply products for this coming Christmas, even though by then, many will have not been paid for nearly year for a historic debt.
To Cardsharp’s mind, the previous owners WHSmith should shoulder some of the blame as they must have had a good idea what plans Modella had for the chain when they sold it, insisting on a name change as part of the deal. It is just a more sophisticated example of when Philip Green sold BHS to a fraudster for a £1 in an effort to avoid having his name sullied in the inevitable collapse of the retail chain.
Cardsharp recalls a few years ago, Modella buying Paperchase in the August from the administrators. It then traded Paperchase, selling a lot of stock that suppliers had not been paid for, only to
Factory-ing in everything
Given the horrible news emanating from TG Jones, Cardsharp is relieved to be writing about a multiple greeting card retailer that is not doing the dirty. If Cardfactory had suffered a similar fate to TG Jones, can you imagine the damage this would do to our industry’s reputation?
As it is Cardfactory’s annual results for the 12 months until the end of January 2026, if not sparkling and not good enough to excite the City, were not too bad considering all the circumstances. In April it reported a 7.4% increase in revenue to £582 million but adjusted pretax profit fell by 15% to £56 million. It cited cautious consumer sentiment and weaker festive footfall for a somewhat lacklustre 0.2% increase in like-for-like sales. It opened 27 new stores in that period taking its portfolio to 1,116 stores.
There were a few things that occurred to Cardsharp. At 1,116 stores Cardfactory must have reached its near limit in store numbers and the retailer will be aware the City knows that. That is why there a lot of talk in the statement about potential US expansion, but precious little detail, which implies to Cardsharp that the board felt it needed to ‘big up' a narrative for the future. It also surprised Cardsharp that,
liquidate the whole business the following February, leaving devastated suppliers and landlords with huge financial losses.
Well Cardsharp doesn't have to be a clairvoyant to predict that a similar scenario is likely to happen with TG Jones in a year’s time (or even sooner), with Modella having filled its boots with the Golden Quarter takings.
And what gets Cardsharp’s goat is that Modella has just brazenly used the same ploy from its playbook with Hobbycraft, who it bought from the administrator and is now liquidating. What must be so galling for suppliers is that virtually every greeting card or stationery item being purchased now by members of the public has not been paid for by Modella. Meanwhile, Modella releases statements like: “Modella Capital is committed to acquiring and turning around important retail businesses with the aim of returning them to growth preserving jobs and contributing to communities despite a highly challenging macro backdrop”. What part of that statement rings true asks Cardsharp?
In this whole sordid saga and in fact in almost every business failure that Modella has been involved with there has only been one clear winner, and that is Modella. Cardsharp called them ‘Bottom Feeders’ last month, but in his view, that is a far too complimentary a term for this low life organisation.
having acquired it last summer from WHSmith, that online platform Funky Pigeon’s turnover is now so low, now down to £13 million. However, good news for the industry is that our industry’s big-name retailer is still producing big profits and giving shareholders a decent dividend, even if many in the financial establishment are not impressed, concludes Cardsharp.
Below:
Above: The media has been awash with negative coverage of the shenanigans at TG Jones.
Right: Cardfactory reached the 1,100 store milestone last year with its Cheshtunt branch, but has added a few more since.
Having acquired Funky Pigeon from WH Smith last summer, the turnover for the online operator is now £13 million.
Notes & Queries is proud to announce the launch of the Notes & Queries Fresh Ink Prize, an annual £5,000 award designed to spotlight and support the next generation of artists, illustrators, and young greeting-card publishers. Beginning in July of 2026, this initiative will offer one deserving creative not only invaluable industry recognition, but also a meaningful financial boost to help fuel their artistic ambitions.
— PLEASE SUBMIT —
An art portfolio containing at least 24 different greeting cards: a showcase of their range, originality, and artistic perspective.
The greeting card industry thrives on originality — on the spark of a line, the charm of a character, the punch of a fresh idea... But getting started can be challenging. Early-stage publishers and illustrators often juggle creative work with financial pressures, production costs, and the challenge of getting noticed in a crowded marketplace.
By offering this prize, Notes & Queries aims to elevate new artistic voices and give them a platform on which to shine, encourage innovation and bold design, along with meaningful and creative risktaking, provide practical support to help a new publisher grow, expand a line, or take that next professional leap, and nurture the future of our industry by investing in the talent that will shape it.
Panel review will be conducted by a distinguished jury of 8 American retailers and 4 British retailers, bringing together a wealth of market insight from both sides of the Atlantic.
KEY DATES
SUBMISSIONS OPEN: JULY 01, 2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 01, 2027
FINALIST CHOSEN BY: MAY 13, 2027
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Wondering why this matters?
Winning the Notes & Queries Fresh Ink Prize means more than just a headline or a cheque. It means industry visibility in front of top retailers and publishers and validation from seasoned buyers who understand the market as well as its opportunities. It means momentum , powered by £5,000 for investing in materials, printing, brand development, exhibitions, or new creative ventures. And it means a platform to connect with retailers, distributors, and fellow creatives at PG LIVE.
This prize is a celebration of possibility — of a belief that talent should be nurtured, that voices should be heard, and that creativity should be supported from the very beginning.
Please submit a PowerPoint presentation about your artwork and who you are as an artist, and 2 each of 24 different greeting card or packaging design samples to:
Notes & Queries
c/o N&Q Fresh Ink Prize 7110 Golden Ring Road, Suite 108 Essex, Maryland 21221
email PowerPoint presentation to vanessa@nandq.com
Winner will be announced at PG LIVE 2027 in London — one of the most vibrant and respected events of the global greeting-card calendar.
“Don’t Mention The War!”
“Don’t mention the war! I did but I think I got away with it…” was a much-quoted line by John Cleese, aka Basil Fawlty, in the legendary TV sitcom, Fawlty Towers. But real war is no laughing matter with the devastating toll it takes in terms of lives, destruction and economic activity.
PG asked members of the greeting card community, how they feel the Iran war is affecting aspects of our sector.
Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File
Any upsides in all of this? “With the world as it is everyone is feeling the need to stay connected with their friends and loved ones in a way that feels more tangible than relying on technology alone. This is where greeting cards come into their own. As a community of publishers, retailers, printers, paper merchants and the rest of the supply chain, we can all assist in this meaningful communication.
We have also seen a surge in our notebook sales this year which suggests many more consumers are taking to the written word to record their emotions and to assure their hopes and aspirations for a brighter future. As an industry we are more relevant than ever, spread the written word!”
Rosie Trow, independent sales agent covering the South West
Impact thus far on our sector: “Without a doubt, the ongoing war is pushing costs up for all of us in the industry as well as for members of the general public. I am paying an average of an extra £24 every time I fill up my car at the petrol pumps. While this would not dissuade me from going to see my customers it does make me more mindful of my journey planning, maximising what I do in my territory, especially as I drive long distances.
It does feel as though the fuel cost increases are curtailing consumers trips to the high street, perhaps retreating to their gardens in solace.” Any upsides in all of this? “With all the flight cancelations, it does seem as though more people will be holidaying in the UK. Certainly, talking to those with Air BnB properties in the SW, plus the traffic on the roads on the recent Bank Holiday, that does seem to be the case. Let’s hope though that if this does happen that holidaymakers see the need to hit the card and gift shops as part of their holiday!”
Above: (right-left) Ged Mace with artist Louise Mulgrew and his son and co-director, James Mace on The Art File stand at Spring Fair.
Above: The ongoing war in Iran is costing lives and causing massive upheaval.
Right: Humour in the face of adversity. An apposite card from Quitting Hollywood.
Above: The costs of filling up at a petrol station is being felt in people’s pockets, including self-employed agents like Rosie.
Right: Rosie Trow’s journey planning has become more vigilant.
range. successful range. CODE 50
VIEWPOINTS
David Byk, ceo of Ling Design, GBCC and Penny Kennedy
Impact thus far on our sector:
“As ever our industry depends on a ‘feelgood’ factor and we like people to feel optimism. Worldwide instability plus political mayhem in the UK does nothing to help this.
Fuel costs are up, mortgage rates aren’t coming down, food inflation beckons, utility costs are going up and your car
is more expensive to fill up. All these are bad things, plus the one thing that the British like to look forward to is their annual summer holiday which has some doubt over due to worries about flights being cancelled. Our customers worry about his and the effect it has on the public’s appetite to spend money. Greeting cards have always been seen as pretty robust as a low cost/feelgood product but we know some of our retailers are seeing less footfall and less spending and with all this going on we cannot be surprised. When I was in China for the enormous Canton Fair in April some vendors were blaming low footfall on ‘the war’. While I believe that it was harder to get there with connecting through the Middle East almost impossible, I don’t think it was the war that was stopping people attending, but global sentiment. It’s not only the UK which is a tough trading environment but the rest of the world too and with America’s on/off/on/off tariffs there is a lot of business uncertainty around.
delivery costs are going up with distribution companies putting a 20% surcharge on all deliveries, obviously energy costs are up and a lot of power goes into the making of board so we are resisting cost increases here too. One of our group’s divisions has seen a 30% increase on the latex gloves that they sell so at least we aren’t seeing that across the board and I suggest those in the market for large volumes of condoms to stock up!!
It's no easier for the retailer who relies on customers getting in their cars to make the journey to the store and now with summer coming they will have to incur the costs of putting the air con on as well as the lights. Nothing is easy but I’m a great exponent of ‘the cream rises to the top’ so the best shine will though. The majority of our retail customers are fantastic and have great reasons for their customers to come and shop.”
We haven’t seen any noticeable reductions in our volume as fortunately our cards seem to be robust in sales but if this type of inflation and uncertainty continues for a sustained period of time, I am sure we will see some decrease. However, while our volumes might be relatively robust, our cost base is already going up. Every area manager customer visit is getting more expensive to make (plea to retailersplease be around for your appointment and place an order too!), our
Possible future ramifications: “We always take a long-term view and luckily have a stable enough business to be able to do so. Thus, our reps continue to call, our artists continue to design great product and we continue to back ourselves and our customers with stock. I really hope with American midterm elections coming and the pressure on ‘The Donald’ to improve his political standing before these should mean we see a grubby compromise being found and the Strait of Hormuz being reopened. This is the optimist in me and the result would be a relatively quick return to normal and there should be no impact on Christmas trading. Scarily, all Ling, GBCC and Gifted’s Christmas products will have shipped from Asia by early June so we are fully committed here too. Inflation will take a time to come down but I think good retailers can survive this if we all do see an end in sight. If it doesn’t get resolved then I think sadly the disruption on the High Street will go further than TG Jones as footfall and spend will come down.”
Any upsides in all of this? “We’ve stopped talking about the Epstein Files for a while!!
Also, it may be that more people will ‘staycation’ this year due to the cost and worry of air travel which will hopefully provide a boost to the high street”
Dean Morris, founder of Dean Morris Cards
Impact thus far on our sector: “I believe the greeting card industry is resilient. Covid, the credit crunch, actual recession, ecards, a revolving door at No. 10 have all failed to dampen my sales in the long run and I trust (hope) the war in Iran will have the same negligible effect.
There have been some price increases announced but it’s difficult to ascertain whether this is because of the Middle East or just the continuing trend we’ve been noticing for a while now.”
Possible future ramifications: “I’m sure with all the sensible people around the table (sarcasm) the situation will be resolved quickly and peacefully. If it doesn’t then I do worry that as the squeeze on oil grows
costs on everything will just naturally go up. And, aside from the business if we have a holiday cancelled, I’ll go over to the Strait of Hormuz and sort it out myself!”
Any upsides in all of this? “We are a very resilient business, so it’s best to stay positive in such matters. Also, I think we’re all so desensitised to the non-stop barrage of bad news since about 2001 that another conflict almost feels like background noise at this point. And Celebrity Traitors is back in the Autumn!”
Above: US president Donald Trump continues to cause mayhem.
Above: The war is turning some things on its head, including Dean Moris.
Right: Motivational advice from Dean Morris cards.
Top: David Byk with GCA president, Karen Wilson of Paper Salad at last year’s GCA Conference.
Above: Travel disruptions made getting to the Canton Fair more tricky for attendees, such as David Byk.
Rosie Tatt, director of Cath Tate Cards
“This new Simon Drew card we are about to launch at PG Live sums up my feelings about the war… each day of the war Trump claims “victory and peace creation” and each day the rest of the world wonders how much longer the world's biggest financial superpower can be run by a giant child.”
Daniel Prince, managing director of Danilo
John Procter, co-founder of Scribbler
Impact thus far on our sector: “It is extremely difficult to have a relevant opinion as no one including Trump have any idea as to how this mistaken war will pan out. With regard to how it affects the British card market we at Scribbler, as ever in challenging times, seem not to be affected particularly with card sales although there has been a slight decline in recent weeks. This could be down to any number of factors as packaging, stationery and gift sales are holding up well.”
Any upsides in all of this? “Having experienced so many recessions over the too many years we have been in business we now conclude that even when life gets tough we all need to stay in touch and what better way than to send a card!”
Below:
Impact thus far on our sector: “I think we are now starting to see the wider knock-on effects across retail sectors, with many businesses increasing prices as they experience cost rises from suppliers. The greeting card and publishing sector is certainly not immune to this.
To date, we have been doing our best to absorb and fight off cost increases, but we are now starting to see more sustained rises coming through from suppliers as production costs increase. This is affecting a wide range of materials and processes including film, ink, paper, glue, foil and other key commodities. Ultimately, publishers may have little choice but to pass some of these increases on to retailers.”
Possible future ramifications: “If the situation continues, I think we will see continued pressure on costs and inflation across the supply chain. It will become increasingly important for publishers and retailers to work closely together and support one another to help navigate the challenges facing the industry.”
Any upsides in all of this? “Our industry has always shown resilience, and collaboration across the sector will remain key.”
Ceri Stirland, ceo of UK Greetings
Impact thus far on our sector: “I don't think the war has really affected our sector yet. Generally, the geopolitical and economic landscape isn't good and hasn't been for many years. Just when you think things are calming down something else happens. As a business we are getting used to contingency planning and 'what if…’ scenarios. I think they make you stronger as a business, even if they are not required to be deployed.
At times like these customers dig deep, reduce discretionary spend and that may impact future spending and consumer confidence. Generally, our category remains resilient and solid during these tough times. As long as they remain 'affordable' it is an opportunity to spread love, support, and happiness by buying and receiving cards. Specially calling out friendship, hug, cheer, support captions.
When the war started, I was one of the last planes out of Doha travelling to Melbourne. When I woke up the next day, I realised how
lucky I was. After a stressful week trying to find an alternative route home, I managed to fly back the 'long way', Melbourne to Sydney to LA to Heathrow to Manchester. Gosh was I exhausted and to top it off they lost my luggage.”
Possible future ramifications: “Clearly there is the threat of increased costs of fuel, raw materials, freight, interest rate increases, inflation increases, along with freight congestion/instability from Asia. We have taken steps already to protect availability and our customers by increasing orders, bringing forward delivery dates with Asia vendors, booking vessels way in advance, forward buying raw materials. As part of our sustainability/environmental focus we have moved most of our car fleet to electric.”
Any upsides in all of this? “We have just received the update from our annual researcher tracker which shows that the incidence rate for card buying has increased to 94%, along with increases among the younger generations, which are reasons to be cheerful!”
Above: A new Simon Drew card from Cath Tate Cards.
Above: (left-right) Danilo’s Daniel Prince with Rosie Tate of Cath Tate Cards and Woodmansterne’s Seth Woodmansterne at the GCA Conference.
We need all the luck we can get. A Brightside card from Danilo.
Above: Ceri Stirland. Right: A recent Insta post by UKG on the power of cards.
Top: Scribbler’s John Procter with Thortful md Pip Heywood.
Above: Scribbler’s Fulham Broadway store that opened last year.
Richard Pass, founder of STL Agency
Impact thus far on our sector: “The conflict in Iran and subsequent ‘is it on or is it off?’ stupidity has stressed the world economy to a ridiculous level. The major impacts at play are the increase in the cost of fuel and all of the price increases associated, plus the lack of confidence in the general public. Spending in stores and the resultant slowing down of orders has impacted all strata of our sector, plus lots of others too. Consumer confidence and the simple cost of getting to the shops is taking its toll.
While orders are still coming in and the retailers are very chatty and generally upbeat face to face, appointments are harder to get and orders are lower in value. I have spent less time on the road, of course the immediate plus point here is it’s saving me a fortune in diesel!”
Possible future ramifications: “As an industry of course we will
Tony Lorriman, managing director of Loxleys
Impact thus far on our sector: “Demand for greeting cards seems to be holding up relatively well so far despite the crisis in the Middle East and the negative impact this is having on the cost of living and the UK economy.
We are well and truly into Christmas card production so the real concern is whether demand drops off at the back end of summer once Christmas card production is complete. On a positive note, in comparison to other products, greeting card demand tends to remain robust during periods of inflation and economic instability so it is hoped that demand will hold up.
Following a period of relative stability, the biggest impact to date of the Middle East crisis on our business is the implementation of cost increases and cost surcharges across a wide range of our input materials, consumables and transport all driven by the worldwide energy and oil price spikes. Over the past 6-8 weeks we have been on the receiving end of numerous fait accompli price increases resulting in our manufacturing costs rising sharply and my concern as ever in these situations is that both ourselves and our publisher customers will shoulder the burden of these higher costs with both of our margins being squeezed.”
Possible future ramifications: “The longer the situation continues the more costs will increase. As always there will be a long lag between the crisis stabilising and cost increases reversing, if in fact they ever do!”
adapt and become stronger because of it, but as the situation jumps from stupid to farcical and back to stupid the long-term impact is going to be felt for months and possibly years. Costs will remain high in the short term, however as a nation of shopkeepers and shoppers we will naturally complain about it, but generally just get on with it.
Any upsides in all of this? “The humble greeting card is a product of joy and happiness, something we all celebrate. And this will continue for a long time. Other benefits become apparent as consumers shop locally, rather than buying expensive fuel and travelling.”
Vanessa Harnik, managing director of Notes & Queries, US distributor of many UK publishers
Impact thus far on our sector: “It feels impossible to talk about business anywhere in the world right now without acknowledging the profound impact this war is having globally, both personally and professionally. Honestly, for me, it feels strange to even think about business, sales, product strategy, and design when the American President is publicly threatening that a “whole civilisation will die” in Iran if demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz are not met. It can make you want to hide away from the world entirely.
So, much like we have approached tariffs and other challenges, where the road feels uneven and you don’t know what is coming around the next bend, we are trying to lean into what we can control.
In practical terms, the war has meant dramatically higher fuel prices. Because Notes & Queries works with independent sales reps, higher fuel costs have directly impacted our reps’ ability to get out on the road and sell. It is now costing them approximately 20–35% more in fuel than it did a year ago.
Additionally, retailers are hedging a bit more on placing larger orders or are waiting longer before committing. We are also experiencing increased shipping costs and greater shipment delays.
There is also the deeply personal side of all of this, the anxiety many people feel about the impact of the war on those they love and care about, the concern about the possibility of a military draft returning, and the ever-present reality of living in a nuclear age where so much feels beyond our control.”
Any upsides in all of this? “Notes & Queries is trying to focus on what we can control: supporting our sales reps and retailers with strong product that performs at retail and trying to say thank you often — to our retailers, our extraordinarily talented trading partners, and our staff.”
Ultimately, we are trying to lean into good things, good people, and good relationships — and to focus on the humanity of it all.”
Above: The longer the Strait of Hormuz remains off limits the ramifications will deepen.
Left: Richard Pass feels that people still enjoying a ‘day out’ bodes well for the sector.
Above: Toni Lorriman (second right) with fellow Loxleys directors in front of the company’s brand new £1.5 million Komori printing press in its Sheffield factory. Below: The increased costs in crude oil affect all industries, including greeting cards.
Above: Vanessa Harnik with her father and business partner Alan. Below: A Quire design, the sentiments of which chime with Vanessa.
KEEPiNG YOU
“For the first time in recent memory, the UK postal market and its regulator are under growing scrutiny from the government. Service performance has declined. Prices have risen significantly. And at the same time, Ofcom is considering whether to give Royal Mail even greater pricing freedom from March 2027 onwards.
For card publishers, retailers and the country as a whole, that raises a simple question: is now the right moment to relax affordability protections?
Consumers are already being asked to pay more for a service that feels less certain. In a competitive market, that tension would resolve itself. In a monopoly market, it becomes a matter of regulatory judgement. If service is under scrutiny, the reasonable response is caution on price.
Why this matters to retailers and greeting card publishers
It is easy to assume this is simply a postal issue. Many customers still hand-deliver cards. Footfall in many stores and locations remains strong. The category overall is growing, so it can feel as though consumers are simply switching class, adjusting spend, switching stores even - but still engaging.
In fact, the risk sits one step earlier — in the habit. Card sending is not a transactional purchase. It is a learned, repeated behaviour. For decades, posting a card has enabled connection beyond immediate social circles, reinforced shared occasions at scale (especially at Christmas), and offered a level of effort and intent that digital alternatives do not replicate.
The risk is that trade-down often comes before withdrawal. Each step feels rational. None looks dramatic. But together, they
change the shape of the market. The risk is that once people fall out of the habit of posting cards, they don’t just change how they send; they gradually send less.
Why – right now – this feels like a moment the country can get behind
At a time when so much of modern life feels fast, fragmented and, at times, divisive, these small acts of connection matter more than ever. They are one of the few remaining habits that bring people together quietly, consistently and without agenda.
The risk is that something which has long helped us connect — as individuals, families, communities and as a country — begins to fade, just at the moment we need it most.
David Falkner, co-owner of Cardology and GCA council member who has been heavily involved in Royal Mail matters, put pen to paper on the subject of:
Why protecting postal affordability now is essential to protecting the card-sending habit over the longer term.
behaviour, assess financial outcomes transparently, and only then consider further pricing flexibility if required.
This is not about blocking change. It is about protecting participation while change happens.
What our industry can control — and why it matters now
It is also important to recognise that while regulatory decisions will shape the environment, the industry is not powerless.
This is the moment to double down on what sustains the category: giving people compelling reasons to send. That means investing in storytelling, activations and in-store theatre — reminding customers not just to buy a card, but who they are sending it to and why it matters. It also means keeping the category relevant in a digital, culturally evolving age, where attention is fragmented, habits are easily lost, and reaching new markets and demographics matters more than ever.
Even with cost pressures, consistent marketing matters, because habit is built through repetition, not intention. While we cannot directly control pricing decisions, it’s certainly true that the more visible, relevant and culturally embedded sending remains, the higher the political cost of allowing uncapped stamp price rises.
A proportionate regulatory path forward
None of this is an argument against change. Royal Mail operates in a challenging environment, and reform is necessary.
But the sequence matters. A balanced approach would allow recent service changes to stabilise, observe real-world sending
The conclusion is simple
For retailers and publishers alike, the question is not just about stamps. It is about the long-term health of the habit that drives the category. If posting becomes less reliable or less affordable, it risks becoming less normal.
And if posting stops being a natural part of how people send cards, there’s a very strong chance card sending itself will begin to shrink
That is why we should all be advocating for stability before flexibility, while also taking the actions within our control to sustain engagement. Because protecting affordability today is ultimately about protecting demand tomorrow.”
Inset: David outside his local sorting office.
Right: David (third left) on stage during an Ofcom discussion about Royal Mail.
Below: In 2024, David put his muscle where his mind is, and carrying a heavy postbox to Westminster on foot and tube as part of the GCA Use It Or Lose It Royal Mail campaign.
Your creativity, our craft.
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Piece By Piece
Ohh Deer will be showcasing its new Matchbox Mini Jigsaws collection at PG Live. Packed with 99 intricately designed pieces, housed in charming, matchbox-sized packaging, these pocket-sized puzzles span five collections: vibrant interpretations of famous artists by Teresa Bellón (pictured); literary-inspired designs by Andrew Kolb; gold foil creations from The Natural World; bold artwork by Steven Rhodes and neon wildlife scenes by Natasha Durley.
Ohh Deer
01509649478
www.ohhdeerwholesale.com
PG Live Stand 316
What A Draw
More Hill Climbing
Floral Tributes
Popsy & Plum’s The Flower Bed collection of tulip cards is a bright, contemporary and joyfully illustrated range. The uplifting and garden-inspired collection is great for anyone who loves florals or wants a card that feels like a little patch of summer. The cards are 150cm square, blank inside and printed on sustainably sourced FSC-certified board.
Popsy & Plum 07769 212269
www.popsyandplum.com
PG Live Stand 754
Redback’s brand new humour range, Lousy Drawings For Good People features a host of playful doodles. Dreamed up by Ainsley Drew, this collection is packed with oddball creatures, gloriously wonky drawings, and words that teeter between absurd brilliance and ‘did that card just say that?’
Redback Cards 01752 830482
www.redbackcards.com
PG Live Stand 421
Monster March
Following the launch of the larger format Primrose Hill card range in January, Cinnamon Aitch is launching a further 30 designs at PG Live. Primrose Hill features beautiful hand-painted illustrations, carefully hand-finished with sparkle. Alongside birthdays, the designs span ages as well as relations and occasions. All are supplied with a bespoke printed envelope and wrapped in a recyclable cello.
Cinnamon Aitch 0121 773 6833
www.cinnamonaitch.co.uk
PG Live Stand 231
Stripey Cats’ Monster world grows even more wonderfully weird with the arrival of Wobbly Bobbly Bob, GreenToed Glenda, and Monster Mabel heralding some brilliantly bonkers new characters joining the existing delightfully chaotic friends. Each card features fluro colours and signature googlyeyes. All 110mm square, the cards are printed on 350gsm premium board.
Stripey Cats 07866 713 826
www.stripeycats.co.uk
PG Live Stand 335
Crystal Clear
Beautifully illustrated and finished with Marina B’s signature gold foil detailing, its new Wellbeing Crystal Collection brings together thoughtful designs for life’s special moments, including birthdays, sympathy, weddings and engagements. Each card is paired with a meaningful keepsake crystal, creating a little moment of positivity that can be treasured long after the card is received.
Marina B 01858 434462
www.marinab.co.uk
PG Live Stand 179
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Feline Sunny?
New from The Art File, Sunpatch Cats is an ideal card collection for cat lovers everywhere. Created by talented artist Susie Essie, this quirky collection is full of fun, tea and cats! Every card is printed on textured board and comes with a beautiful ivory envelope.
The Art File
0115 648 3240
www.theartfiletrade.com
PG Live Stand 200
Village Life
Golden Moments
Louise Tiler’s new Golden Blooms greeting card range is perfect for those who love the classic, traditional feel of its hand-painted florals as well as a bright, modern colour palette. Pairing the two with a modern gold foil texture adds to the eye-catching appeal of the 16 designs that cover a variety of occasions.
Louise Tiler 01535 957878
www.louisetiler.co.uk
PG Live Stand 133
Inspired by its award-winning Advent Village Craft Kit, Two for Joy Illustration has developed its innovative Paper Village collection, greeting cards that can be easily transformed into a keepsake 3D building. They are die-cut and creased completely in all the right places, making it super easy.
Two for Joy Illustration
www.twoforjoyillustration.faire.com
PG Live Stand 118
Block Booking
Block is a cute, technicolour and deeply debossed new range from Brainbox Candy. Addictively strokeable and rib ticklingly funny, it’s a sensory overload. The cards are even round cornered and come complete with a gorgeous candy-striped envelope.
Brainbox Candy 01702 716643
www.brainboxcandytrade.com
PG Live Stand 528
Rude Awakening
Screen print meets statement colour in Earlybird’s inaugural collaboration with Rude Studios. Bold, dynamic typography takes centre stage across this striking new range of 16 designs, all 170x120mm, the designs cover birthdays, occasions and open captions. Printed on premium 310gsm Veltique recycled textured board, each comes with a yellow envelope. Earlybird Designs 01227 765372
www.earlybirddesigns.co.uk
PG Live Stand 401
Monochrome Mania
Absurd & Absurder is a new collection from Running With Scissors. The 16 humorous designs are inspired by classic, single-panel newspaper comics with the hand-drawn, black and white designs printed on thick textured board. Aimed at making men laugh, the collection covers everyday and Christmas.
Running With Scissors
07514600422
PG Live Stand 124
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Small Is Beautiful
Stephanie Davies’ new miniatures collection, Small Packages comprises 45 designs covering a wide range of occasions as well as blank and more open-ended ‘just because’ captions. The charming designs, which have a touch of vintage and nostalgia are printed on 300gsm GF Smith board and selected designs are hand-embellished with a crystal.
Stephanie Davies
www.stephaniedavies.co.uk
PG Live Stand 125
In Black & White
Oh Dahlia-ing
Hocus Pocus
Grab your broomsticks and fly over to PG Live, where Cheeky Legends is launching its most spellbinding range yet, Magic, Wish & Potions. The designs are a heady potion of cheeky humour and whimsical delight, launching alongside a capsule collection of ‘Key’ themed cards.
Arrthi 07735 398457
www.arrthi.com
PG Live Stand 153
Apple & Clover is unveiling its elegant new Monochrome Collection at PG Live. The collection encompasses greeting cards, coordinating hardback A5 notebooks and journals and, an inaugural selection of stylish gift bags. The cards are finished with luxurious gold foil embossing and paired with striped gold-foil envelopes for added sparkle. Also being launched at PG Live is Apple & Clover’s first ever Christmas card pack collection of 17 designs.
Apple & Clover
07790 900976
www.appleandclover.com
PG Live Stand 503
After an inspiring trip to Dahlia Beach in Oxfordshire, then hours of drawing and contemplation, Sarah Kelleher has created a range capturing the stunning colours of the fresh flowers swaying in the breeze on the farm. Within the new Dahlias range of 18 designs are five blank cards for every occasion, featuring stunning dotty gold foil. All come with a brown recycled envelope. Sarah Kelleher 07768123957
www.sarahkelleher.co.uk
PG Live Stand 505
Well Brushed Up
Funky Playfulness
Sabivo Design’s popular Elderflower range, inspired by gorgeous countryside meadows and fields and the delicate beauty of wildflowers and grasses, has welcomed another 40 designs. These additions mean the collection now comprises 120 designs, covering everyday, milestone ages, occasions, relations and seasonal captions. The cards are adorned with biodegradable glitter by hand. Sabivo Design 01858 683 278 www.sabivo.co.uk
PG Live Stand 101
The ever-creative Lowlands Studios is serving up lots of newness at the show. Among these is Funky Fresh, a collection of 56 off-square (120x135mm) occasions cards, featuring rounded die-cut corners and textured gold foiling. Meanwhile the Playful collection of 21 occasions designs (100x150mm) features pink flocking, deep embossing and textured gold foil. Lowlands Studios www.greetingcardsfromlowlandsstudios.com PG Live Stand 416
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Feeling Fortune-ate?
Following on from the success its Stamp range, which won a spotlight award at Top Drawer, Pink and Mint Design has developed its brand new Celestial Sirens Tarot Cards collection. This on trend capsule range incorporates a gold foiling finish, with the cards paired with a green or kraft envelope, either naked or in bio cellos. Pink and Mint Design 07841666101
www.pinkandmintdesign.co.uk
PG Live Stand 180
Shop Fits
Stationery Movement
Expanding from greeting card heartland, Lovely Paper Stuff is all set to unveil its first collection of colourful A5 notebooks at PG Live. The notebooks are finished with gold foiling and feature hand drawn characters with some great puns to match. A 20% discount is on offer on orders over £250 placed at the show.
Lovely Paper Stuff 07786886223
www.lovelypaperstuff.com
PG Live Stand 102
New from KDee Designs for PG Live is Boutique Row. Inspired by hobbies, passions, and meaningful moments, the collection of 16 designs is centred on thoughtfully illustrated shopfronts, from florists and bike shops to pubs and wine bars. Each card is finished with the publisher’s signature 3D wooden icon. KDee Designs 07814776756
www.kdeedesignstrade.co.uk
PG Live Stand 156
China Crisis?
God-ness Gracious
Myth & Mischief is one of Ricicle's newest ranges, launching at PG Live it features eight Greek Gods and Goddesses with ancient Greeceinspired, tongue-in-cheek captions. Each design, hand-drawn by illustrator Sarah Long, uses Greek-style fonts highlighted with gold foil, and are all perfect for birthdays. Ricicle 07850757676
www.riciclecards.com PG Live Stand 162
Purrfect Angles
One of six new ranges launching at PG Live from Lucy Maggie Designs is its Cat Mania collection. Each of the cards is precision die-cut into a playful cat silhouette, making them stand out the moment they’re pulled from the envelope. These feline designs, all printed on textured board, are bursting with vibrant colours and whimsical patterns.
Lucy Maggie Designs
www.lucymaggiedesigns.co.uk
PG Live Stand 129
Profane Porcelain is a bold new greeting card range from the Sweary Card Lady. Funny and irreverent, this designs in this collection pair friendly insults with sophisticated blue-andwhite Chinoiserie-inspired typography with luxe, shiny gold-foil detailing adding to the appeal. The cards are 150mm square, blank inside, and come with a vibrant neon flare envelope.
Sweary Card Lady 07518272530
www.swearycardlady.com/faire PG Live Stand 723
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
More Fabulous
Dean Morris Cards is launching ten new designs into its bestselling Fabulous range, which is celebrating its 20th year of being published. In keeping with its winning formula, the 5”x7” designs centre around colourful retro imagery coupled with outrageously funny punchlines ranging from nice and clean to a bit more naughty. All come with a complimentary envelope.
Dean Morris Cards 01902 560247
www.trade.deanmorriscards.co.uk
PG Live Stand 312
Out And About
Warm Up Act
One of three new ranges launching at PG Live from Stoats & Weasels is Hotties. This is a fun, bold new die-cut range with the designs shaped like classic hot water bottles, featuring cheeky, innuendo-led humour and bright graphics. The A6 collection covers birthday, love and everyday occasions with each card supplied with a signature yellow envelope.
Stoats & Weasels 07796 664912
www.stoatsandweasels.shop
PG Live Stand 177
Great Outdoors is a new range from Heather Trefusis Art, showcasing outdoorsy pursuits and dramatic night skies. Heather has also added 16 new designs to her bestselling Rose Garden range, which offers pretty pastels and an English country garden vibe. All 150mm square, and printed on a textured board, the cards are accompanied by a recycled kraft envelope.
Heather Trefusis Art 07946 605564
www.heathertrefusisart.com
PG Live Stand 111
Treasured Keepsakes
Going Shopping
You can step into a miniature world with Peartree Press’ new Shopfront Collection. Each card features intricate die cut windows, inviting you to peep into a hand drawn shop interior. The 12 designs span everyday, occasions, Christmas and Father’s Day.
Pear Tree Press 07949857748
www.peartreepress.co.uk
PG Live Stand 112
Sprinkled with Magic’s new Keepsake Cards are a card and gift in one. Each of the 117 designs, covering a large number of occasions, features a larger wooden keepsake element that has previously sold successfully as a standalone gift. There is a prize draw on the stand with a chance to win your order. Sprinkled with Magic 01782 939747
www.sprinkledwithmagictrade.com
PG Live Stand 614
Baby Talk
Gummy Smiles and Milky Cuddles is Oh Squirrel’s new collection that was inspired by owner Katie's own matrescence and the words shared by friends at what was the most beautiful time of her life, but also the hardest in places too. Captions, written in Katie's signature handwriting, like 'it's okay not to enjoy every moment' are the cheerleading sentiments that will resonate with new parents.
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
A Warm Brew
Rosanna Rossi’s new CIAO! collection came about as the publisher’s owner was asked to help design the interior of her brother-in-law’s new neighbourhood coffee shop to give it a welcoming hug feeling. Echoing this, the inspired card range brings together joyful and optimistic general birthday and occasions designs.
Rosanna Rossi
07900 698522
www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk
PG Live Stand 434
Past Blasts
Planting Joy
Bursting with joyful colour and meticulous detail, Rosalinda Kightley’s beautiful paintings of plants and ceramics grace a new collection from Paper Bird Publishing. And there's a new Una Joy range too called Ida & Una, plus additions to her Minou & Mutt collection and some new Christmas charity packs. All cards are wrapped with a translucent band and supplied with a kraft envelope.
Paper Bird Publishing 020 8613 8085
www.paperbirdpublishing.co.uk
PG Live Stand 164
Among the many new collections from Ornament Art is Flashbacks. The joyous designs are based on photographs of some favourite everyday blasts from the past resulting in an engaging mix of humour, nostalgia, confident colour and bold typography.
Ornament Art
www.ornament.art
Tel 07971 704650
PG Live Stand 430
All Change
Susan O’Hanlon is launching three brand new ranges, including a new Christmas collection. Everything about it is different from previous ranges, in shape, size, medium, tone and even the board used. This contemporary nostalgia festive collection comprises 30 meaningful art-based designs. A new take on its Photo range, plus a yet to be revealed concept will also be on show.
Susan O’Hanlon 07984 884697
Squaring Up
www.susanohanlon.com
PG Live Stand 239
Off The Blocks
Based on its bestselling block printed designs from its cards and gift wrap collections, alongside a host of new patterns, Paper Mirchi will be showcasing a new collection of 100% recycled cotton covered notebooks, picture frames, tote bags, tissue boxes, toiletry bags, pouches and collapsible paper baskets.
Paper Mirchi 07896141278
www.papermirchi.co.uk/
PG Live Stand 508
Bright and playful, Daiquiri is a new range from Paper Rose with designs that exude bold blues, hot pinks and funky patterns. Featuring a striking gold foil and detailed embossing, each 6” square card comes paired with a fuchsia pink envelope., Paper Rose 01159860115
www.paperrose.co.uk
PG Live Stand 207
Jazz up your game night with our fun new playing cards!
Come & say hi at PG Live Stand 500
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Girls’ Turn
Kali Stileman’s male hobbies and pastimes birthday cards collection has been so popular that new designs featuring delightfully delicate characters and colourful lettering are joining the line-up – this time for girls! The latest additions to the collection range feature ballet and gymnastics to painting, horse riding and travel.
Kali Stileman 07344 707167
Www.kalistileman.co.uk
PG Live Stand 107
Take Note
Cath Tate is launching a new range of notebooks in collaboration with much loved artist Simon Drew. Building on the success of the popular greeting card collection, five bestselling designs are now available as notebooks, launching at PG Live alongside a selection of new greeting cards. The notebooks are 160 pages, thread sewn, casebound with a matt laminated cover and are printed in the UK.
Making its UK debut, Canada-based Halfpenny Postage’s new Summer 2026 collection features 43 new greeting cards. Among these are designs from UK-based artist Oliver Scully spanning everyday occasions, from birthday and love to thank you and more. Each card is individually packaged in a biodegradable cellophane bag and comes with a standard white envelope. Halfpenny Postage +1 (416) 510-1494 www.halfpennypostage.com
PG Live Stand 426
Bunch Of Five
Among the five brand new PG Live range launches from Hotchpotch London is Country Club. This collection celebrates the charm of British country life, with scenes of rolling landscapes, traditional sports, and peaceful coastal walks. Featuring loyal dogs, cosy pubs, vintage cars and steam trains, each design captures a sense of heritage, warmth and the simple pleasures of country living.
Hotchpotch London
www.hotchpotchlondon.com
PG Live Stand 222
Kidding About
Sunshine & Smiles is a new kids’ range from Rainee Collections, featuring bright colours and quirky designs. The 12 vibrant birthday cards are printed on beautiful textured board and come with a yellow envelope for an extra bit of a pop.
Rainee Collections www.raineecollections.com
PG Live Stand 702
Cats Among The Pigeons
Never lose your place again with these adorable Cat Page Markers from Pikkii. The set includes 120 double-sided sticky tabs, for keeping track of important pages in books, work files, school projects or journals. Also new is a Paper Pigeon kit featuring 50 realistic pigeons that can be folded to create your own pigeon flock.
Pikkii
0203 580 9874 pikkii.com
PG Live Stand 428
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Top Draw
Draw Me a Card is a brand new collection of greeting cards from Lucilla Lavender. As the range name suggests, the cards are designed to look hand-written and hand-drawn, with the lively, embossed linework in on-trend colours on pastel backgrounds. The 28 designs cover everyday/birthdays as well as occasions.
Lucilla Lavender
0203 405 1410
www.lucillalavender.com
PG Live Stand 305
Cat Calls
As well as a fresh new Christmas collection with warm, contemporary designs, Seekprint is launching Cats
Storming It
Stormy Knight will be showcasing five new ranges and additions as well as a Fortune Fish show promo. Its Pressed & Posted letterpress collection has been expanded to include new Christmas designs and additional everyday and occasion cards, taking it up to 84 cards, all printed in the UK on a Heidelberg press. They come with a recycled fleck craft envelope.
Stormy Knight 0117 9098684
www.stormyknight.orderspace.com
PG Live Stand 206
Having Fun!, a playful, character-led range featuring humorous cat illustrations across a variety of sending occasions. All the cards are A6, printed on recycled FSC-certified board and come paired with a recycled kraft envelope.
Seekprint
07931005755
www.seek-print.com
PG Live Stand 769
Wizards of Oz
Australia-based Affirmations is launching its Cottonwood and Leunig collections at the show. Featuring artist Suzi Maher’s delicate illustrations paired with thoughtful sentiments, Cottonwood captures the beauty of life’s simplest moments while Australian cartoonist and philosopher Michael Leunig’s designs explore themes of love, nature and the human spirit.
Affirmations
+61 428 864 333
www.affirmations.com.au
PG Live Stand 427
Window Wonders
Wendy Jones-Blackett is adding to its stained glass-inspired range, A Touch Of Glass with 12 stunning new occasions designs. The 165mm square cards are printed using a technique that looks just like glossy stained glass with cold foiling underneath for a reflective shine. They come with a silver envelope.
Wendy Jones-Blackett 0113 2888468
www.wendyjonesblackett.com
PG Live Stand 235
Merry Kitschmas
Alongside seven new everyday collections In Real Life is launching seven Christmas collections, boxed Christmas cards and a stationery range. Among these is the Kitschmas card collection (pictured) featuring bold, fun and on-trend designs that were created by print designer and illustrator, Jessica Holt of Jolt Design.
In Real Life
07731851731
www.inreallifestore.com
PG Live Stand 221
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Added Dimensions
Alljoy Design is debuting Little Moments, a new range of 12 pop-up greeting cards. Created using clever paper engineering and layered die-cut details, each card opens out into a delightful three-panel scene, bringing the illustrations to life while remaining flat for posting and shop display purposes.
Alljoy Design www.alljoydesign.com
PG Live Stand 319
Shed Loads
GlitterShed is launching 64 brand new designs at PG Live. Soap Box, Glitterball and Geometric are three new everyday ranges while an inaugural humorous Christmas collection of 24 square designs will also be on show. The latter come with either a red or green envelope depending on the design.
GlitterShed 07515 884 301
www.glittershed.com
PG Live Stand 219
Seeding Is Believing
Sentimental Seeds is a new heartfelt everyday and Spring Seasons collection of sustainable greeting cards from Bird & Co Studio that celebrate the power of words to nurture connection. These vintage style seed packet designs feature seasonal fruit and veg. Printed on 100% recycled FSC board, they are supplied with a recycled kraft envelope. Bird & Co Studio www.birdandcostudio.com
PG Live Stand 117
Young Stars
Hollie Start Up is making its PG Live debut with a mix of charming, witty, punny, feelgood designs. Included is a capsule a children’s collection, which is inspired by storytelling with playful scenes filled with characters. These 150mm square cards come with coloured envelopes.
Hollie Start Up www.holliestartup.com
PG Live Stand 753
Fancy Pudding?
With stripes, spots, and added spot UV finish, the colourful, quirky characters on Bexy Boo’s 34 Little Puds for Christmas cards really stand out and make you smile. The 150mm square cards come with a spotty envelope.
Bexy Boo
www.bexyboo.co.uk
PG Live Stand 525
A Countryside Calling
Maisy's Meadow is a charming new range by Paper Shed Design. This collection features designs of horses, ponies, donkeys and foals set in a beautiful flower meadow with the publisher’s own beloved Jack Russell terrier, Maisy, making the occasional appearance. The range spans birthdays, relations and blank options.
Paper Shed Design 0118 9744283 papersheddesign.com
PG Live Stand 178
A selection of exciting new ranges and designs that are all set to launch at Progressive Greeting Live (June 2-3 at London’s Business Design Centre).
Lining Up
Bewilderbeest is launching some exciting new notebooks. They have a fistful of unusual extras like a humorous 'ex libris' style bookplate design inside, a baffling 'contents' page as well as little illustrations and playful touches among the lines.
Bewilderbeest
07586 481 578
www.bewilderbeest.co.uk
PG Live Stand 109
Special Touches
Purrfect Booking
Yoojoo’s new Moggies range will be launching at PG Live. Featuring quirky felines set on a backdrop of pages from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland they are completed with Yoojoo’s signature removable origami bookmark, making them a purrfect card and a gift combined.
Yoojoo 01274 621419
www.yoojoo.co.uk
PG Live Stand 341
The brand Niquea.d, founded by Dominic Schurman, is revered worldwide, but this June marks its PG Live debut with eight new distinct ranges. The collections exude special processes, such as foil, embossing as well as gems to add to their alluring appeal.
Niquea.d
+1 707-580-4892
www.niquead.com
PG Live Stand 329
Shaping Up
Small in scale, but big in impact, Heyyy Cards is launching 20 new mini card designs to add to its Taking Shape Minis collection, 10 for everyday and 10 Christmas ones. All die-cut, debossed and foiled, the collection is now 45 designs strong.
Heyyy Cards 07488283524
www.heyyycards.co.uk
PG Live Stand 324
Sundae Best
Sundae Breeze is a brand new range from Ginger Betty. The 20 designs, a mix of birthday, occasions and relations captions, on a fresh colour palette are all die-cut and in a new tent fold format. The cute characters are incorporated with cakes, patisserie and flowers. Each comes with a printed full colour envelope.
Ginger Betty 01706 557285
www.gingerbetty.co.uk
PG Live Stand 225
Luxury Touches
IC&G has just expanded its Luxury range with 10 new designs, taking it to 36 premium cards. The designs feature elegant foiling, embossing, intricate die-cuts, hand-applied 3D embellishments, bows, gems, and refined finishing touches. All are designed, printed, and hand-finished in Dorset.
IC&G 01202 897494
www.icgcards.com
Not exhibiting at PG Live
Story Time
In a few days’ time Progressive Greetings Live (June 2-3) at London’s Business Design Centre) will see an inspiring array of publishers making their respective debuts at the exhibition, notably in the Upper Village and Springboard areas. PG shares the back stories of a handful of these PG Live newbies.
Craig Smith, co-founder of ImpactSOS
Once upon a time: “Before cards, I spent time working in the BBC, BT and in tech, and even pitched a community finance idea on Dragons’ Den. The thread running through everything I’ve done has always been the same: how do we help people, and how can we use capitalism as a force for good?
That question kept bringing me back to one challenge - grassroots community groups do so much of the real, on-the-ground work, yet they constantly struggle to survive financially.
That’s how we evolved into ImpactSOS. We opened a community shop in East London where we turned the ‘by-products’ of community activities - like honey from beekeeping groups or stitched items from wellbeing sessions - into products people could buy. Greeting cards were part of that pop-up, and they sold incredibly well. In our shop, a couple of other shop owners asked if they could stock our cards, and that’s really how we found ourselves in the card world. Cards just made sense. They’re simple, scalable, and they carry a story. Each design is rooted in a real community group, so every purchase supports something tangible.
Exhibiting at PG Live came about in a very unexpected way. I met Louise Mulgrew through Facebook Marketplace while picking up a couple of card spinners for our partners, and she told me we just had to exhibit. Taking this from a local shop to a national stage feels both exciting and slightly overwhelming, but we’re ready for it.”
PG Live Main Plot: “We’re launching a range of community-powered greeting cards, each linked to a grassroot project. From community herb gardens to embroidery wellbeing groups, every design carries a real story - and we’re excited to share those stories more widely.”
Happy Ever After: “Our goal is simple: to get community-made cards into as many shops as possible. We’d love to partner with retailers who want their shelves to do more - not just sell cards, but to help support social impact.
Longer term, we’re building towards a national and eventually global network where buying a card helps support a community project. We’d love to be in a position where we’re supporting thousands of small, grassroots groups through beautifully designed cards, with every purchase helping to sustain a local activity. PG Live feels like a big step towards making that a reality, and we’re excited to meet partners who can help bring this ambition to life.”
PG Live Upper Village Stand 747 www.grassrootprojects.co.uk
Left: Craig Smith is using his financial experience with good reason.
Above: There are cards which raise funds for the communitybased Quilt Club.
Below: One of the designs which raises funds for the E14 Honey project.
Grant McGowan, managing director of The Paper Studio
Once upon a time: “The journey into printing cards began as I was President of Edinburgh University Physics Society (I have a Physics degree). At that time a hefty proportion of the subscription income was spent in getting the membership cards printed featuring the year’s events. With the naivety of youth, I thought that I could buy a printing machine and do them myself! And so I did. I bought an Adana hand-printing machine out of Exchange & Mart magazine, taught myself to set type and printed the cards.
After university and a career in marketing with Procter & Gamble and Flymo; being a director of an advertising agency; general manager of a direct mail order company, and setting up a market research company, we moved to Somerset when my wife became Director of Museums and Heritage in Bristol. The estate agents from whom we bought our house also had a commercial arm. Idly perusing their listings I spotted that they had a small hot foil printing business up for sale. The thought of getting back into printing appealed so I bought the business. One element of that business was wedding stationery, where our designer (who is still with us) would draw the church where the marriage was taking place, have a hot foil block made and print the image onto the front of the invitations and orders of service.
We also held the sample books for the big national wedding stationery companies, CCA, Collisons and J. Arthur Dixon. In 1999 J. Arthur Dixon went into administration and on discovering that the wedding and personal stationery parts of the business were being sold off, I went to the Isle of Wight where J. Arthur Dixon was based and agreed to buy the wedding and personal stationery businesses, along with the existing stock and printing dies for the cards.
J. Arthur Dixon had created a brand for its wedding stationery called The Paper Studio which we decided to use as our trading name. Then a bombshell: although we had been informed that the agents had been told to hang onto their sample books, very few had done so. There was no means of prospective customers seeing our designs, and therefore no business! Disaster! Fortunately, we had also bought the personal stationery business. We sent a direct mailshot to all of those who had ordered previously and the response gave us enough income to keep going. While this was happening, I was looking for a guillotine. I found one for sale in Kent and called the seller who told me he was selling it as he had a specialist business supplying printed greeting cards and envelopes for florists, but had grown tired of running it and wanted a change of direction. The company had the cards printed in big sheets and guillotined to finished size. They then sold these either as packs of single designs or overprinted with the florist’s details. I could see the synergy with the wedding stationery business where we printed the cards in bulk and then printed inserts for the individual wedding so, I agreed to buy the business instead of just the guillotine. That was the real beginning of The Paper Studio as it is today. We gradually built up the business and now supply around 1,000 florists. We are recognised as the leading supplier of these products in the UK and have taken over two other specialist florist card businesses since then and added their cards to our range.
We design and print everything inhouse, with litho, letterpress, hot foil and digital equipment. Last year we printed and sold a smidgen under a million cards to florists.”
Happy Ever After: “With 25 years of experience producing cards for florists and weddings, it is a logical and exciting step for us to take our original designs and extend our production to larger greeting cards. We are eager to make this move into the main greeting card business and look forward to talking to independent retailers at the PG Live show.”
• PG Live Springboard Table 8 www.thepaperstudio.co.uk
Neely Reyes, founder of Staffordshire Cat
Once upon a time: “My background is in the film industry. I’ve directed and produced award-winning short films, with selections at festivals from Santa Monica to London Lift-Off. My expertise spans across fashion, film, and creative strategy - whether casting for major brands, producing high-end visual content, or leading full-scale productions for emerging designers. I am very much a visual storyteller. Alongside my sister, Amber HayesBamford our mission is to bring a
cinematic sensibility to greeting cardtransforming them into small, collectable works of art.
The collection first gained traction through an independent London boutique, where early designs resonated strongly with customers. This demand led to the development of a full range, now launching to trade for the first time.
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling in every form, these cards are simply the most intimate version of that.”
PG Live plotline:
“Rooted in nostalgia, romance and folk art, each design is created in watercolour and features animals, sacred hearts, florals and whimsical motifs. Staffordshire Cat will be introducing a distinctive collection of handpainted, storybook-inspired designs. Designed and printed in the UK on premium 300gsm FSC-certified board, Staffordshire Cat combines a timeless aesthetic with a refined, contemporary finish.”
PG Live Upper Village Stand 724
Above: Grant McGowan has gone from physics to cards, with a few acqusitions along the way.
Below: Two of The Paper Studio’s card designs which show its floral leanings to date.
Right: Neely’s background spans film and the modelling worlds. Below: A design by Staffordshire Cat.
Julia Jolliffe, founder of Jugz Studio
Once upon a time: “I trained at the Royal College of Art and spent years as an illustrator and hand-drawn animator. Drawing all day and all night led to a repetitive strain injury in my hands, and I needed to find a new way to work. Slime was the unexpected answer. Its soft, malleable qualities let me keep making work while my hands recovered. What started as adaptation became revelation. Slime is expressive, fluid and transient; it pushes back, rewards experimentation, and squashes perfectionism. Working with it is a collaboration, full of surprises…So, I now
make greeting cards out of slime!”
PG Live Main Plot: “My debut collection is built entirely from photographs of hand-crafted slime artworks, printed onto high quality cardstock. The result is a visual style unlike anything else in the greeting card market. No two designs can ever be exactly repeated, and that unpredictability is what makes them special.”
Happy Ever After: “At PG Live I'm looking to connect with buyers who want
something genuinely original: a brand with a real story and a collection that will stop customers in their tracks.”
PG Live Springboard Table 5 www.jugzstudio.com
Krystal Tolani Motwani, founder of 852prints, who is launching Lucky Goods Club with her brother Kavi Tolani
Once upon a time: “When I started 852prints, I was reacting to what I felt was missing. I grew up in Hong Kong, and I wasn’t seeing cards that reflected that experience, the humour, the references, the things that felt familiar to me and the people around me. So, I made the kind of cards I would have wanted to find myself.
Some of 852prints’ most-loved designs came from exactly that instinct: a card about riding a speeding minibus and feeling your heart race, a Tiger Balm-inspired get well card, a Christmas design rooted in the feeling of eating roasted chestnuts when the weather turns, a festive card shaped by the look and busyness of the neighbourhood I grew up in. The references are specific, but the emotional pull is easy to understand: comfort, humour and nostalgia.
That same thinking carries into Lucky Goods Club, which I am launching with my brother Kavi at PG Live.
While I have an instinct for visual detail and emotional specificity, Kavi brings a complementary branding and commercial perspective, shaped by a background in strategic marketing and experience managing leading toiletries and beauty brands including Lynx, Radox and Cetaphil across the UK and Ireland. That has given him a close understanding of the realities of retail: tight margins, limited shelf space, the need for clear positioning, and the role customer understanding plays in unlocking commercial value.”
PG Live Main Plot: “Lucky Goods Club debuts at PG Live with a collection of 100 cards across five collections: Small Fortunes, Good Things, Well Said, Modern Love, and Hard Moments. Together, they span playfully illustrated cards with witty wordplay, cultural detail, food-led humour, as well as writing-led designs for modern love, friendship, gratitude and life’s harder moments.
What I realised over time is that the more personal something is, the more people often connect with it, as long as the feeling underneath is something recognisable. People feel seen when something feels true.”
A lot of card buying isn’t really driven by the occasion alone, it’s driven by a person wanting to make someone feel seen, understood, appreciated or less alone. The occasion gets them to the shelf. The relationship is what gets the card chosen.
That same thinking runs across the whole brand. Lucky Goods Club starts from the belief that real relationships are messier, warmer and more layered than the old occasion architecture often allows for. People still reach for cards because a card can slow a moment down, give it weight, and help them say something that might feel too important, awkward or nuanced for everyday language. Sometimes that means better words for modern love, friendship, gratitude or harder moments. Sometimes it means an illustration, an object or a cultural reference that makes someone feel instantly recognised. Our aim is to create cards that feel more emotionally accurate, more personally true, and more reflective of how people actually live and relate now.”
PG Live Upper Village 728 www.luckygoodsclub.com
Above: Krystal and Kavi, the siblings behind Lucky Goods Club.
Left: Julia Joliffe makes card art from slime! Below: Two of Jugz Studios’ slime designs.
Below: Some of the designs from the Modern Love collection.
Above: Examples of cards in the Small Fortunes collection.
AiR BORNE
“This is not a firework launch, it is about instigating a movement,” stated Sandi Parisi, product director of UK Greetings about the significance of the Bubblegum relaunch and the long-term strategic plans for the brand. “Yes, we are looking to tap into the strong nostalgia that so many have for Bubblegum, but also to introduce it to a whole new audience too through the updated characters, new looks and relevant language,” Sandi adds.
There is no doubt about it, Bubblegum was a greeting card gamechanger when it
THE NOSTALGiC PULL
first launched in the late 90s/early noughties. The winning combination of the quirky characters with their outsized heads, statement slogans and block colour backgrounds notched up sales of £350 million for UKG’s retailer stockists, and that was in 30 years ago money.
Bringing the Bubblegum brand back, especially on this magnitude, was not decided on a whim, that is just not UKG’s style.
The last 18 months has seen the UKG team draw data from its rich seam of
Keeley Clough, consumer insight analyst for UKG shares some key facts and stats about the nostalgic wave youngsters are riding, which bodes well for Bubblegum:
“Nostalgia marketing is about psychology as well as sentimentality. In a world where people are bombarded with new information, products, and trends every day, the brain craves shortcuts. Nostalgia provides exactly that.
Nostalgia is a major macro trend currently shaping consumer behaviour, product design, and marketing across multiple industries. Perhaps, nostalgia is especially relevant when consumers are seeking comfort, joy, and emotional connection in uncertain times.
This trend is being driven by Gen Z and Millennials, who are looking back to their own childhoods and earlier eras for inspiration, but it also resonates with older generations. For brands, nostalgia offers opportunities to create emotional resonance, drive engagement, and differentiate through storytelling and product innovation. As a generation, Gen Z are the most nostalgic, with
PG Live will be full of Groovy Chicks, Top Huns, Cool Dudes and Gym Bunnies, and that’s not just the retailers who will be in the aisles, as UK Greetings is doing its utmost to ensure that its Bubblegum brand is back with a bang!
As well as the extensive product launch on its stand, Bubblegum characters will also be blasting out joy on the keepsake tote bag, on giveaway postcards and festooning the lunchroom.
PG found out more about this exciting renaissance.
makeover since their 90s debut.
consumer insights, instigate focus groups for feedback on the new characters and phrases. It also created a series of style guides to demonstrate how the Bubblegum brand can be translated onto a host of products
15% feeling that they’d prefer to think about the past rather than the future.
Millennials aren’t much further behind at 14%, and the preference continues to taper off with age.
Gen Z and millennials are driving nostalgia in the media too. Gen Z are in the lead again with 50% of this generation feeling nostalgic for types of media, followed by 47% of millennials. So, while all generations feel nostalgic to some degree, it’s the younger ones who are driving the trend today. Considering Gen Z were born sometime between 1996 to 2010, 37% say they feel nostalgic for the 1990s –a decade when some were very young, and others weren’t even born yet.
Why the 90s? Well, for Gen Z it’s about the whole vibe. Many feel that the era represents a carefree time that was about having fun. Considering the stressful reality we’ve been experiencing over the last few years, it’s no wonder Gen Z are feeling nostalgic for a simpler time.”
Left: UKG’s Sandi Parisi and Ben Whittington on the company’s stand at the BLE show last October when the Bubblegum brand was relaunched on the licensing front. Below: The Groovy Chick and Cool Dude characters have been given a
HATCHiNG A PLAN
Helping to blast Bubblegum into the consumer’s orbit, UK Greetings has enlisted the expertise of Hatch, a leading creative communications agency that specialises in PR, social media, content and activation for global brands.
As Gabriella Peace, UKG’s marketing communications manager explains, the multi-phase marketing campaign will “make some noise! We want to introduce Bubblegum to the masses, as well as reconnect with those who remember and loved it, the first-time round.”
The launch “Hot Off The Press” social-led content will follow ‘It girl’ out and about, discovering Bubblegum at every turn, be it posters on the street, a retro find in a vintage shop to a Bubblegum magazine in a newsagent.
Content also includes vox pop clips as real consumers share their memories of Bubblegum as well as their first impressions of the new look characters.
“Phase two of the campaign will centre around collaborations with content creators who will show Bubblegum being brought to life on nail art, tattoos and in fashion,” explains Gabriella.
Added to this, is a Bubblegum newsroom which will share news
targeting different socio demographics that were unveiled to the licensing community at last October’s Brand Licensing Europe show, sparking great interest from licensees and retailers across the spectrum.
Ben Whittington, UKG’s creative director of humour, character and licensing is the publisher’s Bubblegum ‘Cool Dude’, having been involved in the brand since its inception through to its reincarnation.
Looking back to the 90s, Ben revealed: “I would honestly say it was Bubblegum that got me hooked on greeting card design. Having done my work experience at UKG, I was fortunate to be invited back to work with Phil Renshaw, the co-creator of Bubblegum, to work on the brand, meaning I witnessed its staggering success first hand.”
Ben has not only enjoyed working with Phil again over the last year and a half on Bubblegum, but has also loved “bringing in a whole new generation of designers who have
Above: As part of Hatch’s activations,
and nostalgia-led stories; a TikTok shop is to open as well as engagement with influencers.
“Some of these influencers have millions of followers, others are micro niche, but through working with them we can create quite a buzz,” believes Gabriella.
become immersed in bringing the brand up to date for a whole new audience.”
As Ben explains, “Some of the original characters, such as Groovy Chick and Cool Dude are back, but they have been given new haircuts, shades and kicks. We also
have new characters and phrases, such as Gym Bunny, Top Hun, Coffee Addict and Good Vibes, which will chime with today’s audience.”
Coinciding with the first wave of licensed Bubblegum products hitting the high street on fashion accessories and apparel, PG Live will mark UKG’s official launch of an extensive greeting card collection, including a standalone range as well as designs covering ages, occasions, juvenile, Spring Seasons and Christmas. There is also a Bubblegum gift dressing range, with party and celebrations products to follow.
And adding to the storytelling, a suite of POS has also been developed to bring the brand to life in store while a consumer marketing campaign is also underway to further inflate the Bubblegum brand in the public eye.
As Sandi said: “Bubblegum is a brand that you can have a lot of fun with; it has a voice; it is inclusive and it spreads joy, which is something that is much needed in the world right now.” Spoken like a true Top Hun!
Above: Many of the original Groovy Chick fans may now identify more with the Top Hun or Gym Bunny characters.
Above right: A visual of what the Bubblegum-themed lunchroom entrance will look like at PG Live.
Left: The marketing campaign being undertaken by Hatch includes a wealth of social led video content to put Bubblegum out there.
Bubblegum icons will be reincarnated with content creators collaborating to bring the brand alive across nail art, tattoos and fashion.
Below: UKG is backing up the Bubblegum launch with retail POS.
Right: Visitors to PG Live will be able to get up close to 5’ Bubblegum character cut outs for selfies galore.
Punbelievable edible image chocolate bars are retail-ready with bold shelf appeal, viral-worthy puns, and premium Belgian chocolate designed to spark impulse buys, repeat customers, and social sharing. HANDMADE IN THE UK
Driving Licences
ALLPORTS LEAD TO SOPHiE
Swan Mill Group has forged an extensive licensing partnership with the lifestyle brand Sophie Allport with resultant products featuring across its trio of brands, Ling Design, Great British Card Company and Penny Kennedy debuting at PG Live.
“This is a hugely exciting partnership for us, said David Byk, ceo of Swan Mill group, which includes Ling Design, GBCC and Penny Kennedy. “Sophie Allport is such a well-established lifestyle brand with a strong and loyal customer following, making it a natural fit across our businesses.
Ling Design will be unveiling a brand-new collection of open birthday cards under the Sophie Allport licence, with each design featuring foil detailing and the publisher’s signature deep 3D emboss, while GBCC will be launching notebooks, pens, and pencil cases utilising Sophie’s prints, and roll wrap, gift bags, boxes, napkins and Christmas crackers
BUBBLES AND BEANS
While there will be no way of missing UKG’s Bubblegum brand at PG Live, with its own homegrown IP gracing the keepsake tote bags and lunchroom, a hapless hero will also be elevated on the publisher’s stand… the one and only Mr Bean.
UKG is delighted to have signed the Mr Bean licence with brandnew designs being rolled out into male captions. The universal humour of the hilarious character
From collabs with leading heritage brands to tie-ups with zeitgeist pop culture icons, wellloved lifestyle, literary and entertainment properties, a wealth of innovative licensed collections will be adding plenty of product stardom at PG Live 2026. Here, a selection of publishers spill the beans on the licensed product highlights they will be showcasing.
will be on show from Penny Kennedy.
Designer Sophie launched her Lincolnshire-based business with brother Jem in 2007 and has become known for a growing collection of homewares and accessories, and she commented: “I’ve always got a paintbrush in one hand and a pencil in the other, so beautiful stationery has always mattered to me. Collaborating with Swan Mill felt like a natural fit, bringing together shared values of craftsmanship and quality to create a collection of cards, gift packaging, and stationery that’s thoughtful, beautifully made, and designed to be treasured.”
Alongside the Sophie Allport products, the shared stand will also be showcasing the group’s other licensing collaborations, which include Morris & Co, Cath Kidston, Paper Salad and Stephanie Davies PG Live Stand 228
birthday cards. Below: GBCC will be offerring Sophie Allport stationery.
created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis is timeless, instantly recognisable and a great fun send for all ages. Rather at odds with this comedic legend is UKG’s ongoing relationship with the revered Royal Horticultural Society brand, which now graces greeting cards, wrappings and partyware from the publisher.
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Above: Sophie Allport launched her brand in 2007.
Left: Ling is launching a Sophie Allport range of open
Right: The ongoing relationship with RHS has spawned a new range of gift dressings. Far right: UKG was card ready for the new Mandalorian and Grogu movie launch, the first Star Wars film for seven years.
Above: Mr Bean is a new addition to UKG’s licensed line-up.
BOOK TO LOOK
Having built a following for its own trend-reflective creations, Studio Boketto is turning over a new publishing page, by licensing one of the most revered book illustrators in history, launching its inaugural Richard Scarry collection at PG Live.
“We’re very excited to be launching our Richard Scarry collection at PG Live,” said Micky Calf, co-owner of Studio Boketto. “It feels like such a special one for us, and a big licensing moment for Boketto, working with Penguin on such an iconic property.”
As Micky points out, it feels like Richard Scarry is “having a real revival at the moment. There’s the nostalgia, of course, but we also think his work really speaks to this lovely idea of slowing down and finding joy in the small everyday details — something that feels very relevant right now. There’s so much warmth in the characters
BiRDS OF A FEATHER
Danilo Promotions will be high on the star power front at PG Live with well-loved Angry Birds characters Red and Chuck flying in to make a special appearance on its stand on the first day of the show.
As a specialist in licensed greeting
cards, wrap and calendars, mega brands and properties will be jostling for position on the Danilo stand.
Dan Grant, the company’s licensing director shares just some of the IP highlights:
• Angry Birds: With the new Angry Birds movie landing later this year, this bright, energetic and instantly recognisable brand is perfectly positioned to drive renewed interest at retail.
• Where’s Wally?: New to Danilo’s nostalgia line-up, the
and the worlds he created; it’s playful, charming and instantly recognisable, but still feels really fresh for today’s customer.”
The Studio Boketto collection includes mini cards, die-cut cards and A6 cards, featuring some of Richard Scarry’s much-loved characters and vehicles, with plenty of colour, movement and little details.
“We’ve really leaned into the fun of the artwork, creating a range that feels playful, collectible and very giftable,” explains Olivia Penny, co-owner of the Lancashire card publishing business.
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STEPPiNG UP
collection with fresh contemporary styling brings a fresh twist to a beloved classic.
• KPop Demon Hunters: Phenomenally popular, this brings a bold graphic edge to Danilo’s juvenile portfolio that taps into the continued rise of K-culture.
The collection reflects growing demand for entertainment brands that connect with Gen Z and tween audiences.
• Mog: Beloved across generations, Mog combines comforting familiarity with playful modern design touches. The range taps into continued demand for classic literary and heritage brands with emotional resonance.
• Minions: July’s new Minions movie release is expected to ignite strong consumer engagement with instantly recognisable characters and vibrant artwork making the range a standout choice for younger audiences.
• PAW Patrol: With a new movie - PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie - coming out in August, the range offers retailers strong year-round appeal for children’s birthdays.
• England FC: Official England football designs are well placed to benefit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Our updated England lines combine bold supporter graphics with strong everyday retail appeal.”
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Hallmark’s sponsorship of the front of the Business Design Centre and central mezzanine staircase during PG Live is being used to mark Beatrix Potter’s 160th birthday.
Alongside its full Peter Rabbit range, Hallmark will be launching an additional card collection of 12 everyday designs under the licence featuring a variety of Beatrix Potter’s famous characters.
Meanwhile, making its Hallmark debut at the show, is a celebrated marmalade sandwich superfan, with the inaugural range of Paddington greeting cards being launched.
From Deepest Darkest Peru to a collab closer to home as the show will also christen the licensing tieup with fellow Yorkshire publisher, Wendy JonesBlackett on a colourful new gift packaging collection.
As Fiona Pitt, Hallmark’s head of commercial said: “This partnership merges Hallmark's long-standing heritage in emotional connection with Wendy's Yorkshire-based studio's flair for colourful detail.”
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Above: Real life Angry Birds, Red and Chuck will be at the show.
Above right: Where’s Wally? He’ll be on the Danilo stand.
Above: Some of the charming die-cut Richard Scarry cards from Studio Boketto.
Above: Beatrix Potter’s 160th birthday will be celebrated by Hallmark at PG Live.
Below: Fiona Pitt with a few of the Wendy JonesBlackett giftbags.
Right: Some of the mini cards.
Left: Studio Boketto’s co-owner, Micky Calf doing some serious research!
Left: There is no stopping the phenomenal popularity of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters.
NO HOLDS ‘BARD’
Woodmansterne has been ramping up its licensing collaborations with new partnerships with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Zoological Society of London, Matthew Rice and Jelly Armchair, resulting in seven card collections being launched at the show.
Woodmansterne has developed three new collections with the RSC link, a contemporary collection inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless quotations as well as two humour ranges.
Laughing Stock and Costume Drama take the RSC’s costume department and unique archive of paintings of performers and performances as inspiration and translates both into everyday and imagined scenarios with witty editorial that references the Bard’s timeless characters with modern-day themes.
Meanwhile, All The World’s A Stage uses carefully selected quotations which resonate with modern everyday life, as handwritten text and designs by contemporary artist Alison Porter.
As creative director Lee Keeper revealed: “It’s curated with the expertise of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and a fresh, accessible take on a globally recognised literary brand.”
Tapping into another heritage gem, the ZSL collection has been launched to coincide with the
BUiLDiNG BRiDGES
conservation charity’s 200th anniversary and reimagines vintage animal illustrations and paintings from its archives with vibrant modern colour palettes and distinctive typography.
Meanwhile, artist, illustrator and writer Matthew Rice is known for his keen eye, gentle wit and deep love of rural life. Living and working from his studio at Ham Court, a 14th-century gatehouse in West Oxfordshire, there are nine birthday and blank cards in the range. As Lee said: “His surroundings inspire designs that feel authentic, warm and quietly joyful.”
And there are two humour collections based on licensed designs by card and prints publisher Jelly Armchair, both featuring intelligent wordplay and witty puns presented in the brand’s rich, expressive watercolour style.
A meeting at PG Live last year and subsequent lovely discussions between artist Faye Bridgwater and M&G’s Ben Dorney, Stuart Harris and Eddie Clarke have led to M&G licensing Faye’s work for an exclusive range of greeting cards that will be premiered at PG Live 2026.
Museums & Galleries has licensing partnerships with many museums and heritage brands as well as established artists, but its latest licensing collab with artist Faye Bridgwater actually came from PG Live, who was exhibiting in her own right at last year’s show in the Upper Village area.
Commenting on the licensing tie-up
Faye says: “Oh, what a joy it’s been working with Museums and Galleries on this collection. It feels like a completely natural fit, and I couldn’t think of a better home for my paintings to be given a new life as cards for everyone to enjoy. It’s been such a pleasure to select each piece together from my archive, choosing works that hold all the energy, colour and character of the originals.”
Every card begins as an original painting in Faye’s studio, emerging through sweeping brushstrokes and layered, bold
Silly Art & Literature is a sideways look at the history of art, while Silly Smile references prosaic elements of everyday life with food, pets and animals.
Lee added: “Our recent ranges celebrate the timeless relationship between art and culture. The ability to see the funny side of aspects of cultural life, reflecting on our relationships with each other and the ever-changing cosmopolitan world around us is something to be treasured but also measured so the work has enduring, inclusive appeal to all.”
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colour, inspired by wild florals and uplifting landscapes.
Faye Bridgwater is an award-winning artist renowned for her contemporary paintings that celebrate nature with a bold vividness. Her dynamic, expressive compositions capture the essence of the landscapes and florals which inspire her work. Her paintings, infused with movement, light, and colour, offer viewers a joyful and evocative connection to the natural world.
There are 16 designs in the launch card range, printed on textured board and accompanied by crisp white branded envelopes.
Coinciding with PG Live, on the other side of London in Chelsea, four of Faye’s original paintings will be on show at the Saatchi Gallery.
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Above: Four of Faye’s pieces were on show at the Saatchi Gallery recently.
Above: One of the humorous RSC designs.
Below: A contemporary take for ZSL.
Above right: One of the Matthew Rice designs.
Below: Florals and abstracts feature in Faye’s work.
INTRODUCiNG A FRiEND
As well as christening new collaborations with the Royal College of Art, Royal Ballet and Opera and the University of Cambridge, ArtPress has made a new friend in illustrator Alison Friend.
Alison’s work has been exhibited internationally and draws a devoted following of collectors worldwide.
“She has a big social media presence, and her characters are very appealing – I have the glasses and the scarf from one of her pictures but, sadly, not the Birkin bag!” revealed Linzi.
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Celebrated for her whimsical, anthropomorphic animal portraits, British artist Alison Friend, joins ArtPress’ friendship circle at PG Live.
“Alison’s oil paintings combine the timeless techniques of the Old Masters with a playful contemporary twist –capturing the human-like antics of cats and dogs,” explains ArtPress director Linzi Russell-Watson.
SNOOPYiNG AROUND
Hype has expanded its portfolio across five key licences, include more occasions and relations, Christmas, Spring Seasons and everyday designs as well as a number of new giftwraps.
Richard Ford, co-owner of Hype shares some of the reasons these licences stand out:
“Peanuts/Snoopy – we love the compassionate humour and the very wide variety of artwork. We still find it awe-inspiring that one creator, Charles M. Schultz, did all the artwork and gags we use.
• Moomin – we love the characters and the Nordic sensibility of the artwork. Again, it’s very much the vision of one person, Tove Jansson, expressed in a number of styles and formats.
CATH IN THE ATTiC
Ken the Cat has welcomed a minime kitten onto a card range while the Cath Kidston, Laura Ashley and Natural History Museum collections from Ohh Deer have also expanded the ‘family’ for the Loughboroughbased company.
Ohh Deer has further expanded its licensed Cath Kidston portfolio with the additions of new stationery featuring wiro planners and bookmarks, while it is also looking forward to showing off a stunning new Laura Ashley stationery collection.
When asked what sets these collections apart, Jamie Mitchell, creative director and co-owner of the business sums it up as “a considered approach to assortment. Rather than overloading some product categories, the new ranges have been thoughtfully developed to offer greater variety - from spiral notebooks and planners in two sizes to coordinated sets of three - creating breadth without overwhelming the collection.”
Each range has also been designed around two complementary design stories. Within the Cath Kidston assortment, for example, every product category is available in either the Blue Stripe Floral or Ditsy Butterfly print.
Also new is a collection of mini square Cath Kidston cards as well as updated Cath Kidston card packs, reimagined in a new size.
Hot on the heels of its B&LLAs’ award for its Natural History Museum humorous card collection collab, Ohh Deer has dived back into museum’s archives to expand the collection.
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• Miffy – we think Miffy is one of the most perfect licensed characters ever created. There is tremendous variety within the artwork, which allows us to produce a wide range of styles, from art cards to delicate christening cards.
• Pusheen – Snoopy, Moomin and Miffy were all created by people in their twenties who continued to illustrate them for the rest of their long lives, giving an extraordinary range, depth and consistency to the illustrations and of course the licensing programmes. Pusheen is similar in that Claire Belton created the cat character in her twenties and continues to do all the illustrations and gags. Pusheen is adorable, funny and relevant.
• Aardman (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph) –Aardman’s animations have extraordinary humour and empathy and characters with multi-generational appeal.”
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Above: A Snoopy classic pose. Right: Dick Bruna created something special in Miffy.
Above: There will be new Cath Kidston cards and stationery on the Ohh Deer stand.
Below: Some of the new Laura Ashley stationery from Ohh Deer.
Above: ArtPress is launching an everyday collection as well as two wallets based on Alison Friend’s artwork.
Right: Alison Friend.
The global greeting card gathering of publishers, retailers, overseas distributors and suppliers
JUMP FOR JOY - Progressive Greetings Live 2026… is soon!
Over 190 fabulous companies have already booked their stands for Progressive Greetings Live 2026…
PG Live 2026 is not to be missed!
PG Live is an incredible two day international celebration of greeting card publishers, retailers, overseas distributors and suppliers, where business meets pleasure. Get excited, be a part of it… don’t miss out!
Here’s just a
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ABACUS
ABBOT PRINT
AFFIRMATIONS PUBLISHING HOUSE
THE ART FILE
ALLJOY
ALPHA COLOUR PRINTERS
ANOTHER USE
APPLE & CLOVER
ARRTHI
ART PRESS
AVANTI
BELLY BUTTON DESIGNS
BEWILDERBEEST
BEXY BOO
BIRD & CO STUDIO
BIZZIE LIZZIE
BLUE IRIS DESIGNS
BOLD & BRIGHT
BRAINBOX CANDY
CANDLELIGHT
CARDGAINS
CARDOLOGY
CAROUSEL WORLDWIDE
CARTE BLANCHE GREETINGS
CATH TATE
CATHERINE RAYNER
CINNAMON AITCH
CITRUS BUNN
COACH HOUSE PARTNERS
CRAFTY CARDS
CREATIVE SPARROW
CUMMINS & PAPYRUS
THE CURIOUS PANCAKE
DANDELION GREETING CARDS CO
DANDELION STATIONERY
DANIELLE EAST ART
DANILO
DEAN MORRIS CARDS
DESIGNER GREETINGS
DEVA DESIGNS
DOTTS YARD
DYSON DESIGN
EARLYBIRD DESIGNS
EAST END PRINTS
ELEOS HOUSE
ELIOT SIEGEL
EMELINE WATCHORN
EMOTIONAL RESCUE
ENVECO
FEATHER & HARE
FEDRIGONI
FI MOSZORO DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION
GET CARTER CARDS
GINGER BETTY
GLICK
GLITTERSHED
GRACE JACKSON DESIGN
GREAT BRITISH CARD COMPANY (GBCC)
HAHUG DESIGN
HALFPENNY POSTAGE
HALLMARK CARDS
HAPPY STREET
HEATHER TREFUSIS ART
HEYYY CARDS
HOLLIE STARTUP
HYPE ASSOCIATES
THE IMAGING CENTRE
IMPACT SOS
IN REAL LIFE
JACKSONS
JESSIE MAEVE STUDIO
JOANNE DEPACE
JUGZ STUDIO
KALI STILEMAN PUBLISHING
KDEE DESIGNS
KENJI
KINGFISHER CARDS
LA LA LU DESIGNS
LAURA DARRINGTON DESIGN
LIBS CARDS
LIL WABBIT
LILIAN G
LING DESIGN
LITTLE LONDON CARDS
LITTLE PAPER SOUL
LITTLE POTATO STUDIO
LITTLE ROGLETS
THE LONDON STUDIO
LORENZO ZANGHERI
LOUISE TILER
LOVELOSSDISCOBALLS
LOVELY PAPER STUFF
LOWLANDS STUDIO
LUCILLA LAVENDER
LUCKY GOODS
LUCKY INK
LUCY MAGGIE DESIGNS
LYDIA.LONDON
MAIREAD HALDORSSON ART
MARINA B
MARTHA & HEPSIE
MEG HAWKINS ART
MEGAN CLAIRE
MERAKI
MIFKINS
MINT PUBLISHING
MISS YOU MAIL
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
N SMITH PACKAGING AND DISPLAY
NATALIA SANTACREU
NIQUEA.D
NOEL TATT
NOT AT ALL JACK NOT TODAY TUESDAY
OBJECTABLES
OH SQUIRREL
OHH DEER
OLIVE AND CLIVE
ORIGAMO
ORNAMENT ART
OTTER HOUSE
PAINTED PARASOL
PANGO PRODUCTIONS
PAPER BIRD PUBLISHING
PAPER MIRCHI
PAPER ROSE
PAPER SALAD
PAPER SHED DESIGNS
THE PAPER STUDIO
PAPERLINK
PARTISAN PRODUCTS
PEAR TREE PRESS
PENGUIN INK
PENNY KENNEDY
PICKLED PRINTS
PIGMENT
PIKKI
PINK & MINT
PINK TIGRA
PLEWSY
POET & PAINTER
POPSY & PLUM
THE PORCH FAIRIES
PORTFOLIO
PUNK CARDS
PUNTASTIC
RAINEE COLLECTIONS
RASPBERRY BLOSSOM
REDBACK CARDS
REMAIL LIMITED
RICICLE
ROSANNA ROSSI
ROSIE MADE A THING
ROSS J DESIGNS
RUNNING WITH SCISSORS
RUSH DESIGN
SABIVO DESIGN
SAKINA SAIDI
SANDERS DE ROEPER
SARA WILLIA LANDSCAPES
SARAH KELLEHER
SEEKPRINT
SPRINKLED WITH MAGIC STAFFORDSHIRE CAT
STEPHANIE DAVIES
STOATS & WEASELS
STORMY KNIGHT
STRIPEY CATS
STUDIO ANAIA
STUDIO BOKETTO STUDIO FREWB
SUNSHINE LANE
SUSAN O’HANLON
SWEARY CARD LADY TALLON
TOASTED CRUMPET
PAINTED PARASOL IS NOW ON THE PG LIVE MEZZANINE
Visit Ellie at Stand 529 for cute cards with new designs galore www.paintedparasolstudio.co.uk + ellie@paintedparasolstudio.co.uk
MARKiNG MOMENTS
Marking life’s moments is what cards are all about so publishers need to celebrate their own big birthdays, and there’s a few milestones to be marked at this year’s PG Live, on 2-3 June, at London’s Business Design Centre.
CLiMBiNG THE LADDER
The much-missed Lynn Tait put Megan Purdie on the ladder to greeting card success as she launched her Megan Claire business on Not On The High Street at the same time as attending The Ladder Club event in 2011.
Megan had retrained in graphic design after returning from a six-month stint playing hockey in Australia. After a couple of years she branched out with her signature typographic cards.
“The lovely Lynn gave me a taste for the wholesale world, The Ladder Club was an eye-opening couple of days where industry peers gave their raw and honest experiences. It made me realise I wanted to be part of this amazing industry and give it a go – in Lynn’s words, carpe diem – and we’ve never looked back.
“A few years later in 2018 I was honoured to be the guest
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
Keen archer Danielle Rogers has been shooting for the stars ever since changing from wedding and events planning to running her own Popsy & Plum brand as a digital artist.
speaker and share my own experience to newbies,” shared Megan.
With her cards such a hit on NOTHS, Megan was able to go full-time after just a couple of months, and signed up for her first PG Live in 2012, launching her Sentiments range.
Her first customer at the show was Australian distributor Waterlyn, now part of Henderson Greetings, which snapped up the range with a “huge order”, kickstarting the wholesale journey and are still working together, along with the Hong Kong distributor Megan met on the stand too at that same PG Live.
“We still work with independents who bought from us all those years ago, including No.14 Ampthill and Austin & Co who are also celebrating their 15th birthdays too, and we’re still with some of the same agents from 2012,” Megan added. “Indies will always be our bread and butter, but the economic climate is very different now to when we started and more so since
Covid. As well as a bigger online presence, new online marketplaces and more publishers, trade shows have changed over the years with buyers, understandably, being more cautious with their spending.
“We’re proud that we’ve managed to survive through the challenges of recessions, Covid, Brexit, the current costof-living crisis and also having our designs copied by various outlets and businesses –as long as we continue to evolve and create original designs we can maintain our loyal customer base and appeal to new ones. As Lynn Tait once said to me: “slow and steady wins the race”.
“Something that has certainly remained across 15 years is the camaraderie in the industry. We’ve made lifelong friends over the years with publishers, customers and industry peers and everyone is always willing to help or support each other despite being in a very competitive market.”
To celebrate the birthday, there will be a lucky dip game on the PG Live.
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“I decided to redirect my creative passions from designing people's weddings to designing my own wedding favours 10 years ago,” she said. “Initially producing handcrafted products from my own fabric designs, I took the leap and designed my first greeting card collection and have since become a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday winner and a Henries finalist!”
Danielle sums Popsy & Plum’s history as “a decade of craft, creativity and connection”. She elaborates that what started as a love of illustration “has grown into an eco-conscious
brand that celebrates life’s moments with my own stylised imagery. I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported my work and allowed my greetings cards to become part of their celebrations.”
To mark the big birthday, Danielle has a no minimum order offer at PG Live, along with free P&P on all orders over £100.
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Above: Now… Spring Fair 2026, Megan now, and the new Piccadilly range.
Right: Then… the first PG Live stand, and a Sentiments card.
Above: Popsy & Plum’s varied designs
Left and above: Danielle with Theo Paphitis
A SEED WAS SOWN…
The growth of garden centres as destination retailers was the impetus for Abacus Cards, which was started 35 years ago.
Born out of the success of 70s-launched Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, which had become the UK’s leading brand of packaged garden seeds by the mid-80s, Brian Carey and Jeff Fothergill had seen the opportunity through their close association with their garden centre customers.
“It became very apparent that such outlets were quickly becoming destination retailers with greeting cards appearing more and more,” explained Brian’s son and md Nick Carey.
own Ginger Bee
Jeff and Brian had noticed the similarity between cards and seed packets, in size, price and reliance on proper merchandising and display and, when marketing consultant Ed Rowland joined Mr Fothergill’s, he brought 11 years’ experience as Hallmark’s European product manager of specialist lines – so the scene was set!
Initially based in studio space at the Mr Fothergill’s HQ in the village of Kentford, the publisher launched in January 1991 with 250 designs, across four collections.
With Bev Cunningham driving the creative side (who now runs her
STRAiGHT OUT OF UNi!
Hallmark set Stephanie Davies on her greetings path as soon as she finished her illustration degree at the University Of Liverpool, but she then took it on from there.
“I was approached by Hallmark to do a work placement,” Stephanie said. “I loved it so much I knew from then on that greeting cards were what I wanted to do.
“Around this time I won a surface print competition which led me to exhibiting at my first licensing trade show in New York. This gave me a great introduction to how licensing works and was something I always wanted to explore,” said Stephanie.
Licensing designs to publishers, including Hallmark and UK Greetings, was Stephanie’s initial business model before she decided to take the plunge and print her own cards, helped by the advances in digital printing which facilitated smaller print runs.
She added: “I realised trade shows were probably where I needed to be so exhibited at my first product trade show in 2016 and, after all the initial nerves, it was a success! I’ve
been rebooking them ever since and have grown to love them.
“I’ve always had a big love for all things vintage. Nostalgic and historical imagery has always inspired me, probably due to my love of history and the influence of growing up in York. I love adding foiled detailing and still have many hand-embellished designs which my customers love. These can be costly, but the embellished designs often remain my bestsellers.”
Studios photographic and branding business), in 2011. Abacis moved to Newmarket and the two companies have since separated with Brian and Nick keeping Abacus as a family concern.
Known for some excellent PG Live offers over the years, including Champagne, Kindles and tablets, the Abacus team is still finalising plans to celebrate its big anniversary.
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As Stephanie reveals: “All I've ever wanted to do since I was very small is paint and draw. To be able to do that as a job was always the focus as early as school. I have also always been quite ambitious and get a lot
While his dad is the publisher’s longest-serving staff member, Nick had nothing to do with the business growing up. It wasn’t until 2012 that he joined as national sales manager before becoming commercial director when long-serving sales director Alan Mawhinney retired to concentrate on holidays, golf, RnR and with his family.
Then six years ago Nick became managing director, and Brian is still very much involved with the Abacus family where studio administrator Jean Poole and studio manager Liz Ellis have both been on board for over 30 years, while operations manager Nicola Nash has 25 years’ service under her belt, and studio designer Vicky Kingsnorth is a mere whippersnapper with 18 years.
of satisfaction out of seeing growth in what I create.
“Running my own business seemed like a natural path for me and I’ve never looked back.”
She freely admits that the business side didn’t always come naturally. “I recall meeting Karen Wilson and Claire Williams from Paper Salad when I first started, and I still remember every word of advice they told me. It was invaluable and still helps form my decision making,” shares
Stephanie. “The biggest change for me in the past 10 years has been moving my stock into my fulfilment centre as it allowed me to gain time back for creativity. Moving from digital to litho was initially quite scary, I never used to like to take risks, but I'm definitely a much bigger risk taker now!”
PG Live will see plenty of 10 decorations on the stand, and Stephanie is working on the finer details of her competition to win a minicard order from the release of her new minicard collection.
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Below: A cute Christmas dog and some early festive designs.
Left: Stephanie now and with sales manager Amy on an early stand.
Below: Liz, Vicky, Nicola and Jean have over 90 years’ Abacus service!
Left: The feature and ad from the 1991 PG mag.
Above: Posies & Petals was one of the early ranges and is still published today.
Top: Nick is now MD at the business. Above: The studio team.
SUCH DEVOTED SiSTERS
Having started making greeting cards together as a side hustle, both being made redundant months apart is how sisters Martha Coping Sneddon and Hepsie Goddin set up their Martha and Hepsie publishing business, choosing to build something together instead of finding new roles.
Now, 15 years on, the Martha and Hepsie dynamic of living and working over 250 miles apart is proving as strong as ever, although they’ve learned a lot along the way.
five years, and lives in Barnstaple in Devon with her family.
“As both our customers and our own needs have evolved, so has the business. We’ve moved from producing everything to focusing on greeting cards, gift wrap, gifts and fabric, and from repeat patterns to more story-led designs. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to colour, joy, and quality,” she added.
was named one of Small Business
Britain’s 100 2025
Both have design degrees, with Hepsie working as a marketing and business strategy consultant while also being the strategy queen and comms expert behind the publisher, and she
“We’ve learned that running a business isn’t easy, that nothing should be assumed – test everything – that clear communication matters, and that sometimes you have to let go and move on… even when you really love a product,” explained Hepsie, who’s older by
PRiNCE-FUELLED PASSiON
Meanwhile, Martha is the hand behind the pencil at her Sheffield studio, turning their shared love of bold prints into the company’s designs, as well as working as a freelance illustrator on everything from books to branding – and creating jewellery and accessories in her own right.
From their long-running Magpie and Bear designs, to the Happy Place collection being launched at PG Live – where there’s a six free card offer on all offers over £150 –Hepsie added: “We're all about supporting UK-made products and bringing British craftsmanship back into the homes of our stylish customers.
f:Entrepreneurs, with the company featuring in Small Business Saturday’s SmallBiz100 campaign last October.
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“With backgrounds in design, we've worked hard to build a successful business, all while juggling family life and its many demands.”
A Prince’s Trust grant and supportive hubby were what Wendy Jones-Blackett needed to turn her passion for making handmade cards for friends and family into a successful business that’s still going strong 30 years later.
Back in May 1996, Wendy had just moved from her hometown of Plymouth to join Steve in Leeds – having met while enjoying the music at Glastonbury Festival – and he suggested starting the company after she’d been trialling her greeting card ranges on pals and workmates for a few months.
“Steve was working for Cancer Research at St James’s Hospital and he and our friends would take in boxes of my creations in to sell. It was a great way of seeing what sold and what didn’t!” Wendy explained, she then applied for a small Prince’s Trust grant which enabled her to build up sample sets and send out mailers to local gift shops.
“A few placed orders but one called me to say they were too expensive and it would never work – luckily I ignored that advice!” she laughed.
Having signed up with handmade card agency Board Stiff, who represented her under her maiden name of Wendy Codling, the business started to grow, with Steve joining full-time in 2001.
Lots has changed in business since then, most obviously the appearance of the internet as, back in the day, invoices and receipts were written out by hand using carbon-copy paper while
payments arrived by cheque with a weekly trip to the bank.
Fast forward to 2026 and emails, websites, and social media but Wendy Jones-Blackett is still a people-facing business with sales agents and physical catalogues as well as a website, digital catalogues and Instagram.
Having had her long-serving and bestselling Quicksilver collection added to The Henry Cole Hall Of Fame in 2024 for ranges that have stood the test of time, Wendy added: “We’ve won nine Henries trophies and been nominated for many more – absolutely lost more than we’ve won I might add. It’s great to be part of such a vibrant and creative industry and I do love being part of the GCA Council, helping to promote card sending!”
“You have to do a bit of everything. PG Live is our main trade fair where we catch up with everyone. I like to keep a wide range of styles in our collections so we’re never seen as a one-trickpony which I think has helped our longevity,” she added.
WJB is adding to its A Fine Line handmade range launched for 2026 and A Touch Of Glass new collection with special print techniques at PG Live, two brand-new looks which continue its tradition to innovate within the greeting card arena.
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Below: The long-running Magpie and Bear and new Happy Place.
Above: Martha (straight hair) and Hepsie then and now.
Left: One of their first craft fairs back in 2011.
Above: A Fine Line and A Touch Of Glass are the latest lines, with the Handmade Heart from 1996.
Above: Then and now, Wendy and Steve in 1996 and last year.
Above: Quicksilver is a Henry Cole Classic.
Independent shops invariably sit in the heart of their communities. How does your shop connect with or support your local area?
Q: What did the pencil say to the notebook? A: You’re the write one for me!
While being an independent stationery retailer is no joke, as was evident from the panel discussion led by Sarah Laker of Stationery Supplies at the recent London Stationery Show, it is a hugely rewarding sector, the benefits of which extend out into their local communities. PG was pen poised in the front row to get the measure of these indie stationery rulers.
What do you most love about the stationery industry?
Owen: “The customers and the good conversations you have with them.”
Abel: “I love all the things you can do with stationery. I’ve been in the industry since 2011 and still love it that you just get to play with so many nice products.”
Ray: “I’ve loved stationery for the 30 years I've been in the industry. I love the customers. I love the product, and the innovation in all the exciting new items we get to see on a regular basis.”
Sarah: “What I love most about the industry is it makes people genuinely happy. There aren't many product areas where people walk into a shop stressed and walk out smiling because they found the perfect pen, notebook or card. Stationery is such an emotional product area and I just love how people connect with it.”
What is your favourite stationery product right now?
Sarah: “I deliberated between what sells well in the shop, what makes me personally happy, and what's the most useful. So, it has to be my Leuchtturm diary because without it, my life would be chaos. And alongside that, a Drehgriffel pen.”
Owen: “I’ve opted for the Lochby Field Folio as my go-to piece of stationery. It’s absolutely amazing, I keep my phone charger in there along with some notebooks, and many pens.”
Abel: “My favourite item is a Traveler's Company notebook. I've had one since 2014.”
Ray: “I've chosen two items - a Leuchtturm 1917 notebook, which I use every day and my Kaweco fountain pen.”
Owen: “Shrewsbury has a close-knit art community with numerous art groups, clubs, exhibitions, workshop days etc. So, we always look to support these, whether that's through sponsorship, manpower or offering a discount... anything that inspires people to create.”
Abel: “We're part of the local art scene within Eastbourne. We have a big gallery called the Towner and we've done some stuff there. We also do a lot with schools, it helps that my other half is the head of a PTA. We just try to engage as much as possible with customers and keep them in the loop. Because we are such a small store, whenever we think to do events we go out and try to do them in different locations, which then brings different people from different parts of Eastbourne into the shop.”
Ray: “Our building is 400 years old, and I think uniquely, it has been a stationery shop for 130 years. So, there's real history here. And because of that, we've got a great interest and connection with our local museum and do combined events and projects together. We also, advertise and support local events and schools and have started doing in-store events as well, which have been uh really successful.”
Sarah: “We produce a local charity calendar every year that we sell probably about 400 copies of. And we do other fundraising as well. I think over, since 2018, we've raised nearly £16,000 for local charities. It’s all part of that human connection that makes independent shops so great.”
What trends or growth areas are you spotting right now?
Ray: “We all agree on this - there's a big growth in Japanese stationery, be it writing implements and books, notebooks, and everything else Japanese, particularly if
Above: Stationery Supplies’ Sarah Laker with her beloved Leuchtturm diary and a Drehgriffel pen.
Above: Write Here’s Owen Johnson with his trusty Lochby Field Folio.
Above: All Things Analogue’s Abel Dos Santos with his favoured Traveler’s Company notebook, a cult Japanese brand.
Above: JPS’ Ray Williams with his two fave stationery items, a Leuchtturm 1917 notebook and his Kaweco fountain pen.
Below: The ladybird window display Write Here created partly to fanfare the Legami launch was a big draw.
they've been sourced from or originate in Japan.
Certainly in my shop Lamy is a really strong pull for young people. And we’re finding writing is on the increase as we’re getting a lot more inquiries for writing paper, envelopes, and of course, journaling.”
What's one simple thing that's worked really well for you recently?
Owen: “I’ve chosen a window display which coincided with the ladybug product release from Legami. We created a ladybird-themed window display with the help of a local artist. It coincided with half term kicking in and became a bit of a selfie hotspot in the town, which was great for the shop.”
Abel: “Telling better stories with our merchandising. All of our displays have a theme, and we try to tell a story within that, be it journaling, Japanese Spring or your desk at home. It's all visual, so it’s not through using any POS, it’s all just the products telling the story. By doing our storytelling better, our customers have better understanding of it.”
Sarah: “I’ll go with the window display we created for National Stationery Week on a Zentangle theme as we're trying to talk to people about being mindful and taking some time out. It also ties in with a Zentangle evening tomorrow evening that we're running that's been sponsored by one of our suppliers. We included lots of Zentangles in the window display that our staff have done which made people stop and come in to ask us what it's about. We only had 20 spaces for the evening on Thursday evening, and we'd sold 15 by lunchtime on Monday when we'd advertised it that morning.”
events with us and she’s run three over the last six months and they have been full every time. Taking place usually in the evenings, attended by a group of ladies, we also see additional sales and offer a discount if they're shopping in-store as well. It’s been a success and has seen us change direction slightly.”
What's been your biggest challenge in the last year, and how have you tackled it?
Owen: “As a retailer there are challenges every day. In terms of footfall you might see a drop, but we're reactive in trying to keep it fresh, creating better window displays etc.”
Abel: “Footfall has dropped which I would say is our biggest challenge. Every single year, it drops a little bit, but from time to time, it picks up, so let's just hope that that continues. We are also just a team of two and have both a physical store and an online store. And so when your online sales increase that second person has to just focus on the online side which becomes a bit of a problem. But hopefully we're able to hire somebody this year.”
Ray: “The deteriorating footfall and rising costs. There’s no easy answer, we just try to work
harder at social media, which is a big learning curve for me! We've also been diversifying, going more into higher arts, crafts, and hobbying type activities. And the phrase I picked up over these last two days at the show is “boutique stationery”. We've got to try our utmost to make our shops somewhere people really want to go to. We need to make our shop a special place, where we and our customers enjoy looking at, feeling and using the products we have. To counter the challenges we’re just going to carry on working hard to make our shop unique in the high street.”
Sarah: “One of my biggest challenges is balancing doing everything. We've all got so many hats on - we're marketing, we're emptying the bins, we're stocking the shelves up, we're managing our staff, we’re buying –just endless what we have to do. My biggest challenge is managing all of that without overdoing it and realising that I can't win all the battles. I'm not going to be able to compete on price with everybody, or scale, or product ranges. So, doing what I do well and efficiently without going over the top is the answer.”
If you could give a stationery retailer a piece of advice, what would it be?
Owen: “Have your customer in mind. We can love every single thing in this show, but you have got to probably think about what will sell in your shop. And it works the other ways as well, you might absolutely dislike something, but it might be absolutely to everyone else's taste. And, listen to your team as they've got really good viewpoints.”
Abel: “Just be yourself. You guys know what you're trying to build and curate your selection.”
Ray: “To join together even if it is just once or twice a year. But, yeah, we're not alone, are we? It's quite a lonely job we do. Sharing product knowledge and receiving encouragement when things don't go well is important. So keep talking to each other, and join the Indie Stationers Facebook group.”
Ray: “One of our customers is a papercraft crafter. She's been doing events in other towns, but she actually lives in Chesham, so we asked if she'd be interested in running
Sarah: “I'd totally agree with just being yourself. Just let your true personality shine throughand remember that you're not going to be for everybody and everybody's not going to be for you.”
Above and right: As co-ordinator of National Stationery Week, Sarah Laker went to town with her Zentangle themed window display in her Marple store, which contributed to the success of the Zentangle event she organised.
Above: Better storytelling through its visual merchandising has reaped rewards for All Things Analogue. Right: Evening crafting events have proved very popular among JPS customers.
Stripey Cats Circus
Getting away from work can be difficult when you’re in a creative business, but many greetings folk are pretty creative with their hobbies too.
PG checked in with some to find out about their out of office antics which add balance to their life.
MAXiMUM MAXiMALiSM PG Live Stand 430
For David and Jo Short their life outside cards has become their business as their love of antique ceramics, mid-century glassware, religious iconography, paintings and photography inspires their work.
Ornament Art was born from their collections which are bursting out of the shelves, cabinets and walls of their Manchester home and now extend to their Sheffield studio with many of the pieces starring on their cards.
Jo explained that it all started back in the 1980s when she persuaded her dad to buy a tall ceramic cheetah on a trip to the cash & carry. The collecting has continued ever since. “When David and I moved into our house we managed find an enormous glass-fronted cabinet which now sits in our living room filled with stuff. A friend’s daughter. who was about eight, asked her mum: “Does anyone live in this museum?” – I think we realised then that it was all a bit unusual.
“You could say we have a maximalist approach. To us things just look right in
groups, the more the merrier so, when we find one thing we like, that usually sets us off to look for more.
“The thrill of finding something new or different or the something that completes a set is all part of the fun of collecting – and we always know what to get each other for birthdays or Christmas.”
David is an advertising photographer and Jo’s background is in brand marketing, and the business came about in late 2024 after she was made redundant after 25 years, but wanted to get back to working together.
pieces that will look good on cards because they’re super cute, fabulously kitsch or just too funny to resist, antique centres, charity shops and online hunts are all fair game.
A trip to Prague’s antique ceramic shops turned up an elegant china Afghan hound which sparked the couple thinking about how good photos of their treasures could look and the idea for Ornament Art took off.
Now adding to their collection by spotting
“We’ve discovered things we never thought existed – ceramic musclemen, flamboyant showgirls, jogging bunny rabbits – what’s great is you can get away with being super soppy right through to very cheeky when it’s an ornament that saying it!”
David added: “We’ve realised it’s not just ornaments that make feel-good cards, we’ve started playing around with other retro itemsgadgets, toys, old school foods, blending nostalgia, colour and humour in our photo art.
Our latest acquisitions have been a set of vintage jelly mould and lots of retro-inspired cake decorations, the perfect ingredients for cooking up some new card ideas.”
And they’re always on the hunt, so anyone having a clear-out can give them a shout before chucking anything – Ornament Art could see a card in it!
Left: Home and work collide with collections everywhere.
Above: Cheetah is a card star.
Left: Jo setting up a shoot. Below: The elegant Afghan kicked off the business.
ON THE VEG
What’s two metres long and the boys don’t like it? A serpente di sicilia!
Gardening buffs like Sue Morrish will probably already know that it’s a type of squash which is just one of the vegetables the Ecofriendly Card Company coowner loves to grow.
Sticking with the sustainability principles upon which she and husband Scott founded their business, growing her own is Sue’s secret passion, especially the more unusual veg like the serpente di sicilia which can grow up to two metres long.
“I absolutely eat the veg,” Sue laughed. “There’s a standing joke in my family that if you can’t eat the plant then I’m not interested in it –which isn’t quite true as I do grow a lot of plants that are good for pollinators too.
“Once we get tomatoes or sugar snap peas they rarely make it into the kitchen, the boys graze them all before I get a chance to pick them. They are less keen on the squashes though!”
Although she’s not yet won any awards for her produce, Sue has been growing her own for as long as she’s had a garden having been inspired by her dad Cliff Curd, whose wonderful one-acre plot was featured on BBC
Gardeners’ World in 2023.
And it was also where she and son Ben – now the 21year-old sales and customer service manager for the family business – were photographed in 2008 showing off the compostable cello-bags that the Eco-friendly Card Co was the first UK publisher to adopt.
Sue added: “My earliest memories are of tottering up the garden to my dad to bring my mum the veggies he’d grown. He’s a true gardening inspiration who has everything from walnuts to pineapples in his garden.
SHOOTiNG STAR PG Live Stand 754
It may be 30 years since Danielle Rogers, founder of card publishing business Popsy & Plum won a bronze medal in the World University Archery Championships, but she’s still loves hitting the target.
“I still shoot – it’s hard not to when I’ve had a bow in my hand since two years of age! – however, I no longer compete and now prefer to coach the next generation of junior archers,” reveals Danielle.
It is something that runs in the family as Danielle’s grandparents were archers, as were her parents who met through the sport and are also archery coaches. Her dad has coached both the British and Pakistani Olympic teams, which is how she began because they “needed to occupy me when they ran coaching sessions and found it easier to stick a bow in my hands”!
Throughout her childhood she shot for County Oak
“I like to grow slightly unusual fruit and veg, things like banana chillies are fun, or purple peas. But mostly it’s about flavour. We had our first nectarines last year and they tasted and smelt amazing!
A lot of this is also about the environmental values that are important to us. Growing with no nasty chemicals, eating seasonally, reducing your carbon footprint from food, saving seed, sharing your excess, composting – it comes back to circularity.”
Archery Club in Brighton and Reigate Priory Bowmen in Surrey, then set up her own archery club while at Cheltenham & Gloucester College as it was still a minority sport.
And there were plenty of medals along the way, silver at both the World Field
Archery Championships and European Field Archery Championships in 1994, and the 1996 bronze at the World University Archery Championships, after being British Field Archery Champion from 1987-92 and British Outdoor Target Champion in 1992, and she casually mentioned: “I’ve also broken more than 70 British records!”
Danielle added: “I retired from international competition at 21 and turned my attention to coaching instead which I really enjoy and now coach at Clophill Archers in Bedfordshire.
“My youngest daughter decided last year to take up the sport when she started at Manchester Metropolitan University making her the fourth-generation archer in our family!”
Above: young Sue learnt the ropes from her dad.
Right: The 2008 pic with son Ben.
Above: Sue brandishing a small serpente di sicilia.
Below: Just some of Sue’s colourful veg.
Below: Danielle still loves hitting the target.
Above right: Her bronze medal.
Below right: A young Danielle in her British team photo.
THE BELLS! THE BELLS!
If you get a ringing in your ears around Studio Boketto’s co-owner Olivia Penny it’ll be down to the bells she loves – church bells that is. Outside of co-running the publishing company with her partner Micky Calf, Olivia is a campanologist in her spare time.
Olivia thoroughly enjoys ringing out the bells with the team at 13th century St Wilfrid’s Church in Ribchester.
Olivia said: “I got into bell ringing at a really pivotal point in my life. In 2022 I had a horrible year – my mum died and I also went through a huge health scare. When 2023 began, I knew I needed something just for me, outside of work, and I really wanted to get more involved in our village and be part of something local.
“I explored a few local options for some reason, bell ringing just felt right. I was surprised by how quickly I fell in love with it.”
Now she’s at bell ringing practice every Wednesday evening, always followed by a trip to the pub, and takes part in ringing for Sunday services, as well as seasonal occasions like Christmas and Easter, Remembrance Day, weddings, and funerals where a single bell is tolled.
“Bell ringing has genuinely been life changing for me,” Olivia admitted.
“We’re such a mixed bunch of people, with a huge age range. I’m the youngest, and our oldest ringer, Claire, is 83. That mix brings so much warmth, humour and perspective, and it’s one of the things I love most.
“Combined with how absorbing it is, needing total focus, teamwork and trust, it feels like the perfect counterbalance to running a creative business.”
MiNDFULLY MEDiTATiNG
A deep fascination with wellness and energy work has led Rosanna Rossi co-owner Anna Nelson to explore meditation, yoga, feng shui, and qigong – and she’s gradually persuading husband Troy to join in.
It started over a decade ago when the couple were living on the Gold Coast of Australia, Troy’s home country, and they visited tranquil spots such as Bamboo Avenue in Byron Bay and the nearby Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens, where the Blessing Buddha, carved from volcanic rock from Java’s Mount Merapi, embodies peace and protection.
Anna explained: “I began exploring meditation, which soon led me to a yoga studio where I was introduced to Yin Yoga and the power of mindfulness.
SOCKiNG iT TO ’EM
What do Fair Isle jumpers and willy warmers have in common – Katie Meeke’s knitting skills!
The Holy Mackerel co-owner loves a bit of knit one purl one and, although socks are her favourite, she can turn her hand to anything, as a special festive commission proved.
“My neighbour asked for four glittery Christmas willy warmers in. December,” Katie laughed, “and it took off a bit – by Christmas Eve I’d made 12 with one prominently featured in my local yarn shop!”
Katie learned to knit as a child then fell in love with it again about 10 years ago, spurred on by great pal and fellow knit-wit and publisher Emma Ball, whose love of the craft can be seen in her artwork and products.
“I make everything from jumpers to blankets but, secretly, I’m a small project knitter. Socks are my absolute favourite thing to knit, perfect for train and plane journeys, and woollen socks are just the warmest comfiest socks you’ll find!” believes Katie. “It’s also an excuse for a fab knitting road trip every year with Emma, who’s an amazing knitter,” Katie added.
“Through this experience, I became increasingly interested in the philosophy behind these practices and how they support balance and clarity.
“During lockdown, this curiosity naturally deepened as I discovered the ancient practice of qigong, a mindful movement meditation that helped centre my nervous system and bring a sense of calm during an uncertain time.
“Alongside this, I began studying feng shui, intrigued by the idea that the energy within our surroundings can influence how we feel and function. I spent several years learning about this beautiful practice and continue to find inspiration in the connection between environment, wellbeing and creativity.”
Below: Anna with the Blessing Buddha. Right: Peace at Bamboo Avenue.
Above and below: Campanologist Oliva in action.
Top: Katie at the Inverness Yarn Festival.
Left: Emma Ball showing knitting can reach new heights.
Above: Socks are Katie’s favourite.
Art Source
Great Expectations Realised
What started with Pip Wilson entering a painting competition in the Daily Telegraph sparked a greeting card design career spanning four decades so far. In this month’s Art Source, Pip (who is represented by artists agency Creative Sparrow, which is exhibiting at the imminent PG Live show) shares his fascinating creative ongoing journey.
“I trained as a graphic designer. The world of advertising was my starting point, and nothing in my early career suggested I was destined to spend the better part of four decades coaxing warmth and sentiment from paper and paint. Yet a single newspaper advertisement, and a single watercolour tucked quietly at the back of my portfolio, would alter the course of my professional life entirely.
The turning point came when I spotted a painting competition advertised in the Daily Telegraph. The premise was simple but selective: submit a painting strong enough, and a handful of candidates would be invited to interview for a junior post at publisher, WN Sharpe's. I submitted my work, secured an interview and, after several rounds, found myself going head-to-head against one other candidate, an experience I describe as having been decided less by merit than by fortune.
I swear to this day I believe it was an absolute fluke I got the job. The art director conducting the interview was Scottish. And there, among the paintings in my portfolio, was a watercolour of a Scottish piper in full regalia, a painting I had created without any strategy in mind. The art director, by all accounts, was immediately won over. He appeared over the moon at the sight of it, and my appointment was made almost on the spot.
My early days at Sharpe's were far from secure. Coming from a graphic design background, those around me felt I lacked the particular sensibility that greeting card illustration demands, a feeling for sentiment, for occasion, for the gentle emotional register the format requires. My position during the trial period was in genuine jeopardy. It was my manager who intervened, persuading the company to retain me on the strength of my willingness to attempt whatever task was put in front of me.
WANT TO BE FEATURED?
I did not take that reprieve lightly.
Determined to prove my worth, I taught myself to use an airbrush entirely outside of working hours, a technical discipline that
sat some distance from my existing skills. When the company saw what I had produced at home, they purchased the illustrations outright. Before long, I had been elevated to the post of greeting card illustrator proper. As they say, the rest is history.
After three years at Sharpe's, I left my parents' home and relocated to Oxford, joining the Kingsley Cards’ studio at Catsbrain Farm in rural Buckinghamshire. After three years I returned north and strode out alone, embarking on a freelance career that would sustain me for the better part of 15 years. It was only later that I joined Cardfactory for what would prove to be my final in-house post, a tenure of around 13 years before I came full circle and returned once again to freelance practice.
I love all manner of art, photorealistic illustration, impressionism, even naïve art, and make no apology for the breadth of that admiration. Every form presents its own challenge and can be a real battle at times. After all, there was a blank piece of paper there before someone made their mark. I believe every illustration should be applauded. It's a brave thing to do, particularly when you open yourself up to the critics. You'll always be at the mercy of another person's taste, their likes and dislikes, but it is incredibly rewarding when people are genuinely pleased by what you create.
Away from illustration, I am a man of active and varied enthusiasms. I love walking and being in nature, travelling, and I have a deep fondness for cars and driving. Photography, the visual arts, and visiting galleries all feature in a life built around looking carefully at the world. But pressed to name the hobby I enjoy most, my answer arrives without hesitation: drawing and painting. It is, I have to say, very difficult to consider it as work at all.”
• Pip Wilson is among the many artists who are represented by Creative Sparrow for licensing and commissions. Creative Sparrow is exhibiting at PG Live 2026 on the main mezzanine on Stand 245 www.creativesparrow.co.uk
Above: Pip Wilson out and about
Far left: A Highland cow floral tribute. Left: Hounds loving the snowy sunshine. Below: A star in ascendence.
Below: Festive friends!
Below right: Capturing curiousity.
Category
Everyday Humour
PG ASKED A TRIO OF RETAILERS FOR THEIR BEST SELLERS
Sean Austin, owner of Austin & Co, Malvern
An award-winning card, stationery and pet products store in the heart of an attractive Worcestershire heritage town.
Ohh Deer
Poet & Painter
Brainbox Candy
Earlybird
The Art File
Cath Tate Cards
Ohh Deer
Stoats & Weasels
Children’s
Adult Ages and Relations
Contemporary Sentiment
Art
Giftwrap
Stationery Gifts
Gifts
Gifts
Studio Boketto
Megan Claire
The Art File
Woodmansterne
Dandelion Stationery
Mistletoe House
Ohh Deer
The Art File
Studio Boketto
Designworks
Legami
Tom’s Studio
Roger la Borde
Hype
Half Moon Bay
Say Cheese
Across the board
David Shrigley
Across the board
Bird Tone
Simon Drew
Across the board
Chip Chip Hooray
Children’s Range
Across the board
Ages Ages
Words of Wisdom
Across the board
Across the board
Across the board
Across the board
Across the board
Across the board
Across the board
Across the board
Licensed products
Licensed products
“All of these do particularly well for us, offering a variety of styles, adding to our best sellers from local artists.”
“Reducing the size of the cards has made them so much better for us.”
“Big time sellers - from Cath Kidston to Ken the Cat.”
“The colours, graphics and humour work so well.”
“The blocky colours make them so striking.”
“As hot now as they were 15 years ago.”
“These publishers are stalwarts at winning ages designs.”
“Even after all these years, the range is still a bestseller for us.”
“Local to us. Really strong eclectic art that picks up on trends.”
“A great choice of quality designs from these two publishers.”
“No one can beat the English breakfast design!”
“The popularity of design-led stationery shows no sign of waning as sales of products from these companies testify.”
Licensed products
Licensed products
“Snoopy and Wallace & Gromit licensed products are having their moment for which we have a curated collection from these companies.”
Right: A Jane Keay design from Mistletoe House.
Right: A trio of designs from Stoats & Weasels’ Chip Chip Hooray range.
Right: A selection of Poet & Painter everyday cards.
Right: Snoopy Badges from Hype.
Far right: Some Wallace & Gromit, Feathers McGraw products from Half Moon Bay.
Katie Piper, owner of Country Kate, Kinver
A three-room card and gift shop in the Staffordshire village of Kinver which echoes its owner’s love of arts, crafts and the countryside.
Category Name of Publisher
Everyday Relations & Occasions
Humour
Children’s
Adult Ages
Art
Cute
Photographic
Gifts
Carte Blanche
Noel Tatt
Redback
Janie Wilson
Wendy Jones-Blackett
Five Dollar Shake
Fox Under The Moon
Wrendale Designs
Heyyy Cards
Noel Tatt
Joe Davies
Best Kept Secrets
Wrendale Designs
Rainbow Designs
Product/Name Range Comments
Wishing Well
General
Holy Flaps
Sunshine And Giggles
Up And Away
General
General
General Mini Cards
General
General
Candles
Bamboo socks
Peter Rabbit and Paddington
“These are a great price and have nice wording inside.”
“The publisher covers everything we need!”
“We can’t keep these in stock – and make our customers laugh out loud.”
“Just lovely for kids.”
“Lovely affordable cards.”
“Really beautiful keepsake cards.”
“Such lovely artwork.”
“I love Hannah Dale’s art!”
“The cowboy boots card is a big hit.”
“A staple for us.”
“We offer a real mix of gifts from candles to socks to plush”
Cheryl Collins, owner of The Porch Gifts, Burbage
Category
Everyday Relations & Occasions
Humour
Adult Ages
Art/Cute
Gift Wrappings
Gifts
A long-established card and gift shop in a Wiltshire village, with a strength in products from female-founded businesses.
Name of Publisher
Molly Mae
Bexy Boo
White Cotton Cards
Belly Button Designs
Hearts Designs
Rosie Made A Thing
Molly Mae
Janie Wilson
Wrendale Designs Lola Design
Belly Button Designs Lola Designs
Katie Loxton
Product/Name Range
General
Scrabbley
Lily Loves… Painted Ladies
Bubbles Diamond General General
Gin & Frolics
General General
Bag charms, key rings, socks, candles, home fragrance, hand creams, mugs, pyjamas and slippers.
Comments
“The new cocktail-inspired summer drinks range is especially beautiful.”
“The Lily Loves range with the fabric bags is a definite winner, but my personal favourite is Painted Ladies with the butterfly wings.”
“These sell well for relations.”
“Something different all the time, with lovely hand-crafted embellishments on quality board.”
“The cards are just beautiful.”
“Such a great seller, and lovely to be selling her cards when she’s based in a village near us.”
“I pick and choose between the ranges and these are great for ages.”
“I’m out of stock of these because they’re so beautiful!”
“I do love her artwork on the blank cards.”
“The cards are lovely and Amanda is so lovely too – she’s done us all proud standing up to Temu on the copying front.”
“Pretty designs and it’s lovely to sell something different to everyone else.”
“A female-founded business who’s lovely to work with. Very sentiment inspired. The pyjamas have an embroidered quote on the sleeve to give them an USP.”
Right: Wendy Jones-Blackett ages.
Right: Cute Wrendale art.
Right: Heyyy Cards’ boots.
Right: Lola’s Amanda Mountain with an example of her artwork.
Right: Molly Mae’s new cocktail range.
Right: Painted Ladies by Bexy Boo.
Right: Belly Button’s giftwrap.
PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY
warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk
CHARITY GREETING CARDS
One of the UK’s leading publishers of Charity Greeting Cards. Impress offers a wide collection of images, including fine art, graphic, photographic and cute. We also offer a bespoke design service for bulk orders and/or mail order fulfilment.
Impress Publishing Appledown House Barton Business Park New Dover Road Canterbury, Kent CT1 3TE
6 Heron Trading Estate Alliance Road, Park Royal, London W3 0RA T: 0208 385 4474 F: 0208 385 4471
E: info@Xpressyourselfcards.co.uk
WWW.XXPRESSYOURSELFCARDS.CO.UK
PRODUCTS: World’s leading publisher of high quality plastic greeting cards. Also an extensive range of quality greeting cards covering Everyday, Occasions, Christmas and Spring seasons.
BRANDS: Cherished Thoughts, Sweet Sentiments, Buddies Always, Symphony, Thinking of You, Style, Special Wishes, Special Times, Young Editions, Groove Sensations, Forever Blessed, Grey Skies, Classics.
METHOD OF SALE: SENSATIONS –Direct to retail
XPRESS YOURSELF –Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK
