Dahlia Press X Card Designer Spotlight
The Card Designer Spotlight is a series featuring independent makers whose greeting cards you can find in Paper Source stores. Meet and be inspired by a new designer every month on our blog!
This month, we're excited to spotlight women-owned design and letterpress studio, Dahlia Press. Learn how Stephanie's love for letterpress sparked in college typography class and flourished into her own business!
How did you begin your card-making career and company?
"I first discovered my love of letterpress when I took a college typography class. My instructor was a letterpress printer and he made flashcards for each typeface we studied. I knew I was immediately hooked and signed up for a letterpress course the next quarter."
"I went on to have a career as a designer at a retail branding firm by day, but my evenings were spent in my basement with a 1912 Golding Pearl platen press I had acquired. What started as a creative outlet became Dahlia Press—named after the flowers in my front yard—when friends began requesting wedding invitations and personalized stationery."
"For six years, Dahlia Press was my side hustle. I spent evenings and weekends printing custom stationery while building a reputation one piece at a time. By 2014, demand had grown enough for me to make it my full-time career. I expanded into retail greeting cards, which opened doors to wholesale markets and national trade shows."
"Around that time, I found a studio in Seattle's Portage Bay neighborhood, where we've operated for the past decade. Today this bright, sun-filled space houses three letterpress presses, a retail area, our wholesale inventory, and work space. As our custom wedding services flourished, we launched a second brand—Chloe Clarke, The Art of Paper—in 2019, taking over an additional studio space for our luxury clientele. What began as a fascination with an old printing technique has grown into a dual-brand operation serving both accessible paper goods and completely custom design work."
What are you most proud of as a creator and card maker?
"When I started Dahlia Press, I wanted a creative outlet—I didn't sit down with a formal business plan or grand vision. Looking back at those basement printing days, I never would have believed someone if they told me we'd eventually be in over 1,000 boutique retailers worldwide, with two studio spaces and an incredible team."
"But what I'm most proud of isn't the business growth—it's the human connection our cards create. We've helped people celebrate life's biggest milestones. Our words have brought comfort during difficult times. We regularly hear stories from customers about how the perfect card helped them express something they couldn't find words for, or how receiving one of our pieces brightened their day when they needed it most."
"There's something profound about creating small objects that carry such big emotions. When someone chooses our card to mark an important moment or reach out to someone they love, we become part of their story."
Where do you draw inspiration from?
"The process of designing our greeting card line always starts in a notebook. I'm an avid list-maker, so I always have an ongoing list of phrases, ideas, sayings, and concepts jotted down. If I can, I'll add in a quick doodle or sketch in my notebook to revisit later."
"My inspiration comes from everywhere—overheard conversations, my obsession with mid-century styling, the plants in my living room. I'm drawn to the intersection of humor and heart, creating cards that make someone smile while still feeling genuine. I know I've hit the mark when it feels like something I would actually say to my husband or best friend—that's my litmus test for authenticity."
Fun Facts about Dahlia Press
"Not everyone knows this, but Dahlia Press is very much a family business. After I opened our brick-and-mortar location, my older brother George decided he wanted a career change and joined the team. I taught him how to run our vintage presses, and now he's become our master printer, operating our machines in the front studio where customers can watch while they shop."
"We're also a dog-friendly workplace—our studio is home to three four-legged employees: Herbie (a sweet pit bull), Nimbus (a husky), and my own Nova (a whoodle—wheaten terrier and poodle mix). They've become part of the Dahlia Press experience, greeting visitors and keeping our team motivated."
"There's something special about having both family and furry friends as part of the daily creative process. It makes our studio feel more like home than just a workplace."
Find cards from Dahlia Press at your local store or online at papersource.com. For more inspiration and behind the scenes content follow @dahliapress and @papersource on Instagram!
