About Us
At Paperblanks, we create products that inspire creativity, empower expression and celebrate special moments.
An homage to art and culture, our line of journals and creative tools sparks the imagination by offering a connection to artists and cultural movements from all eras and regions. Expression has no limits with Paperblanks.
1. Inspiration
Our design library is a curated selection of antique bindings, traditional artistic practices and contemporary trends. Traditionally we have looked to museums and private collections that specialize in antique book bindings or handwritten manuscripts. And while these art forms continue to inspire key pieces of our collection, we now also work with contemporary painters, illustrators and digital artists. We have even experimented with transferring sculpture, photography and furniture design to our book covers!
2. Sourcing
We visit museums, bazaars and libraries, browse online artistic communities and seek submissions from our staff and customers. Once we have found a design that speaks to us, we begin a conversation with the artist or copyright holder. It is important to us that we honour the original artists and will not reproduce a piece of art if we are unable to obtain the necessary legal permission and – just as important – blessing of the artist or the rights holder.
3. Handmade Prototypes
Once we have licensed a piece of art, our talented Graphics department in Vancouver gets to work on digitally reproducing it. Throughout the process, we create handmade samples of the books so we can make sure the final product is as beautiful as can be.
4. Testing
From there, the process moves to our production facility in China. We have worked with the same family-run business for years and trust them to create well-crafted final products. We test, and retest, each design to make sure the produced book will meet the standards of our in-house prototypes.
5. Production
Once we have finalized the cover, binding, closure and interior design of the book, we can produce it! The hardest part of this stage is always the waiting.
6. Marketplace
This is when we can take our initial “wow” moment and bring it to you. From tradeshows to brick and mortar retailers to online shops, bringing our Paperblanks products into the world is an energizing and thrilling moment. We can’t wait to see how these new designs will be put to use by you!
