Featured Vendor: PaperCrazy

Recently, I had the good fortune of working with one of the best stationary vendors around! Let me happily introduce you to the PaperCrazy team! Above we have the lovely Joanie, Bob and their daughter Kristen!

Joanie is the first person you will meet – and she is incredible! She is the heart of PaperCrazy. I asked her to share a little bit with me about her background and her stationery design expertise.

How did you begin your career in printing and stationery design?

I began my career in the printing business when I moved to Denver, CO at 19 and worked for a family friend who owned a Sir Speedy franchise. This was one of the top producing franchises in the US, so needless to say, I learned every aspect of the business except running the offset presses. I assisted customers at the front counter, typeset and proofread orders and did the bindery. So fortunate to get a good printing education!

After a short time in Denver I moved back home to Scottsdale and was the typesetter for another busy Sir Speedy. Worked for a couple of years there and decided to open my own typesetting business at 22 in central Phoenix. Most of my customers were ad agencies and marketing firms.

I love that your husband, Bob, is your business partner and graphics designer! How did the two of you meet?

One day a new customer walked in my business seeking some typesetting. A former boss referred him to me. We have been together for almost 40 years and we have three amazing daughters all married to wonderful men. We also have three adorable grandbabies – under 3 – We are so blessed!

Bob and I have worked together all of these years. He is a very talented graphic designer. His forte is cartooning so if anyone needs a cartoon character designed for their business, he is the guy! He has won many logo contests too!

How did you begin to design stationery?

In 1996, we purchased a printing business and decided to add invitations to our business. That led us to where we are now but with more emphasis on custom designs. The majority of our business is wedding, mitzvahs and corporate invitations. Bob is in charge of the commercial printing part of our business. We offer great prices on design and printing business cards, letterheads, envelopes, brochures, rack cards, signage, banners, etc.

What is your favorite part of designing wedding stationery?

I love working with brides designing their wedding ensembles. We start with their Save the Dates and finish with their Thank You cards and everything in between – Invitations, reception enclosures, RSVP cards and envelopes, accommodation enclosures, and then their “day of” essentials such as programs, menus, escort cards, cocktail napkins, signage, favor tags and boxes, etc., designing everything to match – I love all of the little details and the guests do too!

What can a couple expect when they meet with you to design their wedding stationery?

The first thing I ask the couple is to share their vision of the wedding – Is it formal or casual? What are their colors? Do they have swatches of the colors? Have they seen something on Etsy or Pinterest? Do they want your invitation to be classic, whimsical, colorful, floral, timeless or contemporary? Do they have a theme? I also ask how many pieces will there be in their invitation (invitation, outer envelope, rsvp card and envelope, reception enclosure, accommodations enclosure, directions card, rehearsal dinner insert, Sunday Brunch card, to make a few enclosures). Perhaps they now want a pocket to hold everything. I have many samples of different invitations in my studio. We have hundreds of papers to choose from, add a ribbon, add a band, add rhinestones. The options are endless!

What method of printing do they prefer? Digital printing, thermography, letterpressed, foiling, embossing or engraving are the processes and all are at different price points. Their budget usually dictates the process! Being in the printing business for so many years allows me to be knowledgeable and assist my customers to make the right choices with their wedding stationery. I also assist them with wedding etiquette and wording.

What advice would you give to a couple on a budget?

Probably one of the most money-saving piece of advice is to know the number of invitations you want to order. It seems like something that shouldn’t be a big deal but I don’t know how many times the couple comes in and orders 150 invitations, but in fact they only need 100 invitations. One invitations goes to one household but they are counting total people. And, on the other hand, always add 10% to your household number for overs. Most likely, you will come up with a few more guests after the invitations have been picked up. Just this morning, a customer called to say they needed 25 more. That is a costly reorder because we have to start over and she had to pay for overnight shipping!

What is your favorite current wedding stationery trend?

My favorite trend at the moment is to add a glitter backer or a textured stock on the BACK of the invitation. It is so subtle and gorgeous!

If a couple is interested in working with you, what is the best way to connect?

The best way to connect with me or to get a quote on something you love is to call or email me to set-up an appointment. I really believe that the couple’s personality should be conveyed in their invitation and it is best if we sit together and chat about their vision. Many couples don’t have a vision and haven’t really thought that an invitation should be the first impression of one of their most memorable days. Once they see all of the wonderful options that are in our studio, they get a better picture of what we can do for them to make their wedding unique.

PaperCrazy

Joanie and Bob Guidry

Email: papercrazygirl@aol.com

Phone: 602.234.0184 to schedule an appointment

Address: 400 West Camelback Road, Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Website: http://papercrazy.com

A new website is coming soon!

As you can see, Joanie is truly a special person. She loves her work and will strategically guide you to make the best stationery decisions for your wedding. You know you’re in good hands when you are working with the PaperCrazy team!

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