Smock Paper is a new line of letterpress stationery that is sustainably printed on bamboo paper designed by Amy Graham Stigler. They partnered with a 500-year old European paper mill to develop the finest artisan paper and they are the first print shop in the U.S to offer printing on luxury bamboo paper. How cool is that?

Why Bamboo? Bamboo is a truly sustainable and renewable resource. In other words, once it's cut down, it grows again and very quickly. Even better, it grows without pesticides and very little water. Bamboo reaches its mature harvestable height in 3 to 5 years compared to 10-20 years for softwoods (regular trees used for regular paper). And it even gets better- Bamboo generates up to 35% more oxygen than hardwood trees and absorbs 4 times the amount of carbon as hardwood. This bamboo paper is soft and luxurious with an elegant texture- it is just perfect for the antique form of letterpress. Smock donates 1% to the Pesticide Action Network and the Amazon Conservation Association. They also use petroleum free packaging that is certified biodegradable. Their offices are powered by wind energy which we at Orange and Pear highly recommend. For their employees, they subsidize 20-week Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) memberships with a local organic farm.

But what does all this mean to you? Smock designs and produces absolutely beautiful paper in an environmentally conscience way. These cards make wonderful gifts for anyone who loves beautiful things and cares to support our earth and our valuable resources. Purchase them for yourself and enjoy the luxurious feel of the cards while sending a nice note to a friend and feel good knowing that the card was produced in a way that does no further harm to our planet.

Smock did a series of orange and turquoise cards that we just loved for their design, color and unique appeal. The Koi fish is chic and simply beautiful.

• 6 cards with envelopes in a set
• hand-lined envelopes
  
• each card is 3.5" x 5.25"