Ink on Paper Source Spotlight X Smudge Ink
Ink on Paper Source is a collaborative collection from independent artists who inspire us. Discover their creative voices, translated into stationery and wedding invitations exclusively at Paper Source.
Meet Smudge Ink, a small team of illustrators, printers, and creatives brought together by their devotion to snail mail, letterpress printing, and playful design. “We create charming, magic-filled paper goods for every day. From the initial sketch to the final print run, we prioritize quality and thoughtfulness in both design and production,” April May, the owner and creative director, said. “At Smudge Ink, we believe that art and happiness go hand-in-hand, and we pride ourselves on our lovable designs. We are honored that our small business helps others share comfort, happiness, and joy!”
April May got her start designing greeting cards during the financial crisis in 2009. “I was out of work and suddenly I had a lot of time on my hands. After making a bunch of cards for friends and family, I started an Etsy shop and began looking for work in the industry. Eventually, I was hired at Smudge Ink as the office manager. Several years later, I bought Smudge Ink and became the owner and creative director.”
The artisans at Smudge Ink specialize in letterpress printing and create their whimsical products in-house. “We use our trusty Heidelberg Windmills from the 1950s to create beautiful letterpressed greeting cards. We carefully set up the press for each design, running the paper through one piece at a time. Most of our cards are just two colors, but we create the illusion of a more colorful piece by printing one color on top of another or using tiny dots. It's a meticulous process, but the stunning results speak for themselves. We take pride in the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each and every card we produce.”
April described Smudge Ink’s design style as playful, charming, thoughtful, bright, delightful, caring, and magical. “My designers and I are inspired by so many things! We love animals and nature, so we're often thinking about how to incorporate those things into our work. But music, books, movies, and fashion can all spark an idea that we may turn into a design! We have an idea box that's added to regularly, and at the beginning of each design cycle we leaf through scraps of paper with little sketches or notes about silly ideas.”
For their custom collection with Ink on Paper Source, April said, “the team adapted some of our favorite hand-drawn designs that we felt excited to see personalized. We thought people would like pretty florals, happy colors, and fun animals as much as we do.” They’ve brought their whimsical aesthetic to custom notepads, stamps, and stationery.
Before she got her start at Smudge Ink April said, “Believe it or not, I was dreaming of working at the Brookline, MA Paper Source. The first time I walked into Paper Source in the 90s, I fell in love. It feels like a real honor seeing our designs in stores now!”
To explore their custom collection, click here, visit their website, and follow Smudge Ink on social @smudgeinkboston
