At the Art of Manliness, we’ve long been proponents of hand-written correspondence. But if you’ve spent any time looking for stationery, like we have, you know that the selection of stationery designed for men is abysmal. Most stationery companies tailor their offerings for their female customers, and butterfly, flower, and polka dot motifs abound. To be sure, some stationery companies do offer options for men, but while these very plain designs are safe and acceptable, they’re devoid of any kind personality and most importantly, they don’t exude any good old fashioned manliness.
Unhappy with the lackluster stationery for men currently available, The Art of Manliness has teamed up with Page Stationery to create a line of letterpress correspondence cards. This line of stationery is traditional, distinguished, and manly.
Why Does a Man Need Stationery?
A man’s personal stationery can be used to drop a line to friends and family and to dash off notes of congratulations or condolence. Of course we know that while writing and receiving handwritten notes and letters is an incredibly enjoyable tradition, not too many men are ever going to get in the snail mail habit. Which is fine. But every man still needs to have a set of stationery stashed away in his desk. Why? If for no other reason then for writing thank you notes. Even in our modern age, a thank you note is still expected to be written by hand; emailed thank you’s are still not looked upon as carrying the same weight. We all are the recipients of gifts and good deeds from time to time. Instead of having to run to the store every time you need to write a thank you note, you should always have a set of correspondence cards at the ready.
Why Correspondence Cards?
Correspondence cards have been the traditional form of men’s stationery for more than two centuries. The reason? Men like to keep things short and to the point. The note cards are big enough for a proper message and small enough that you don’t need to feel pressured to write a long tome or guilty about leaving a bunch of extra space. They’re really the perfect size.
Why Letterpress Stationery?
Letterpress printing is not only the oldest kind of printing, it is also in my opinion the handsomest. Involving moveable type or images, it’s a process of relief printing in which a plate with a reversed, raised surface is inked, and then paper is pressed on top of the raised surface, transferring the ink. The design is indented into the paper by an experienced craftsman. For a tactile guy like me, who loves things with texture, letterpress is the only way to go.
Introducing Art of Manliness Stationery
We excited to announce our partnership with Page Stationery and our new line of Art of Manliness stationery. We don’t think you’ll find a more handsome line of stationery for men anywhere.
We offer 25 different motifs for you to choose from and have printed on your correspondence cards. The note cards measure 4.25″ x 5.5″. The paper is a thick 300gsm slightly textured writing paper that was chosen to highlight the unique dimension and character of the letterpress printing process. For the standard note cards, the motifs are printed in chocolate brown ink.
The standard note cards are packed 15 to a box and come with 15 unprinted envelopes. A box costs $15.
You can choose to get a box with all the same motif or get a box with a mix of different motifs. For an extra charge, you can also choose to customize your order by having your name printed on the card and your return address printed on the envelope flap. Going the customization route also allows you to choose a different color for the printing. The minimum order for customization is 50 quantity. You will be emailed a proof and will get to work with Page Stationery’s designers to create your stationery to your liking.
Stationery Giveaway
To kick off our new line of stationery, we’re giving away three standard boxes of stationery to three lucky AoM readers. To enter, simply visit Page Stationery, take a look at the different motifs we offer, and then leave a comment telling us what motif you’d have put on your cards if you win.
Everyone who enters the giveaway will be emailed a discount code worth 20% off your order at the conclusion of the contest.
Giveaway ends March 6, 2011 at 9:00 pm CST. Winner will be announced on the Art of Manliness Trunk.
Related Posts
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The Art of Letter Writing: Stationery
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The Art of Thank You Note Writing
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Calling Cards Fit for a Gentleman: Art of Manliness Calling Cards and Giveaway
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Introducing the Art of Manliness Trunk
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I would have to go with True North.
Gotta go with the old school Boxer.
This is such an excellent idea. Glad that AoM has produced this article and brought this great vendor to my attention.
I personally love the Skipjack and True North designs myself, but if I had to pick just one true north matches me to a “T”.
I like “Man,” but as a Minnesotan I have to go with “True North”
Tough choice, but I’m going with the boxer, just barely beating out the ax. I live in Jackson Hole, so we are inundated with moose and trout images. The boxer, however, is timeless. As is the straight razor, hmmm. I’m guessing indecision is not a manly art.
I’d have to go with the ax – it’s one of the most original ideas I’ve seen on stationery.
I’d go with the Swiss Army Knife.
I suppose…
The need to focus never arose
So something like a Swiss army knife
That’s my life….
A mix would be great, but I especially like The Man, pretty much sums everything up.
I’d have to go with the straight razor. Sure there are lots of signs of manliness, but I’ve seen women hunt, fish and box. I’ve never seen a woman use a straight razor.
Straight razor is the most obviously and distinctly manly symbol there.
These look great. As an Englishman a Cricket bat would be great to be included. There is no better motif for the English Gent, than a finely crafted willow bat. It signifies all that is great about the English.
I would pick the man. He exemplifies manliness…mustache and all!
I’d pick the Moose, because that is my dog’s name and let’s be honest, my dog rocks. Glad to see someone creating high quality stationary for men. I’m a collector of letterpress art, specifically Hatch Show Prints, and think these are awesome. Woudl love to pickup some.
The Axe.
Why?
Because it’s awesome.
If I have to pick just one, my favorite is the skipjack. However, if I could get the mix the other two I would pick are the dog and geese.
Definitely “The Boxer.” Old-school, bare-knuckled manliness.
the ship is my favorite, seconded by the dog and the axe. All of them are manly though!
I would go with the mallard. Manly, professional, classy.
it’s hard to choose just one. in my future purchases, i would probably go with the mixed bag, but if i had to choose one i’d go with the axe.
I’d say it’s a very close tie between the “boxer” and “straight razor” images, with the boxer edging out.
The boxer is a handsome, classic image of manliness that charms anyone who sees it. The straight razor is a throwback to a manly tradition that not many practice (and which I have started) and would definitely strike whoever reads the card as manly.
difficult decision, but if I had to pick one it would definitely be the revolver.
I’m leaning toward the straight razor. The man in the top hat would be appropriate, given how often I’m photographed wearing one, but I’m definitely leaning toward the razor. It’s a more evocative symbol than a man standing around in a topper.
Major “Razor” is the one I like the most!
I would go with Man. Unfortunately, stationery is underused these days and a picture of a dapper gentlemen on top of every page would help cement the virtue of this lost art.
The geese are pretty classy and remind me of kayaking–one of my favorite past times.
I really enjoy the Pointer motif. It’s very classic and manly to boot. It sums up everything great about the outdoors and man’s best friend.
I would have to go with the rifle, seeing as shooting is a constant in my life it makes the most sense
My favorites are Man, Skipjack, Boxer; but I would probably choose the Man.
I’d pick the ax because it would fit me the most. I do alot of woodworking and so the ax stands out to me and people who I’d write to on the stationary would say it fits me.
I would have to go with the compass pointing true North. I like the idea of that being on something I am writing while I try to find my way.
I’d certainly have to choose thick-cut bacon in a cast iron skillet. Pure class, plus the added benefit of watering mouths upon seeing my note.
I would definitely go with the button!
I like the straight razor. It would be cool if it had a mug and brush next to it.
True north for me!
While lots of the designs are appealing I would pick True north for the following reasons:
I’m a geographer by training,
Sailor by family,
Explorer by heart,
and Northerner by birth (Northern British Columbia)
Thanks for reading
Torn between axe, true north, and the moose….can’t decide.
True north easily wins.
I would have to choose the pointer for my motif. It signifies that I have an important thought or idea that i am trying to express.
I would go with the True North motif– I think this one has the greatest flexibility between purely casual correspondence, thank-yous, invitations, and even personal correspondence to a business acquaintance.
It’s manly, but doesn’t pigeonhole me.
And you’re right– finding a good stationary for a dude is nearly impossible. Thanks for taking this project on!
I would pick the straightrazor. It’s classic but understated.
For me, the ‘Skipjack” is the ultimate motif. It shows the rugged nature of the hard sailors life, the relaxing feel of a lazy day of floating in the wind. It’s truly an “all occasion” design.
True North motif
It is a close tie between the dapper man or the moose. I love the detail of the man but the moose has the instant classic look to it.
I’m going to have to go with the Revolver. That way, people now I’m dead serious. about what I’m telling them.
the ax says it all when words can’t…
The hunter, hand’s down. Has both the rugged outdoors, skilled marksmanship, and reliance on only the land he lives on.
The “Man”
I’m digging the straightrazor.
I prefer the pointer.
I would choose the fish. Few things are more manly than fishing, and in so many different ways. It’s a simple choice to me. Cheers.
I’m torn between the revolver and true north.
I really like the AoM “man” symbol, but my favorite is the Swiss Army knife. Comes across really different…
They all look great making it terribly difficult to choose just one, so I won’t. My favorites are the Mallard, Axe, and Geese.
The true north is the winner in my book. Steadfast with clear direction, and classy!
I would also love to see a nice briar pipe!
True North without question
True North, mainly because I like maps.
I would go with the moose or the man. I’ll probably end up ordering a box of both.
I would go with the boxer or true north.
The straight razor would definitely be my choice. Straight razors have always been a symbol of manliness, especially since men specifically use it for their health and grooming purposes. Ever since December of 2010, I started using a straight razor because it is a money-saver, it has the possibility of becoming a family heirloom one day, and it is also therapeutic relief to my hectic schedule. To conclude, the straight razor equals finesse, patience, discipline, simplicity, and a sharp edge, all of which a man should represent.
If I were to win, I would choose the True North Motif.
dog
For me, True North is the way to go. Pun very much intended.
the trout
As an outdoorsman, I would choose the Geese because it shows outdoor landscape too.
Does AoM recieve a portion of the profits? I would enjoy supporting the site.
Great motifs, but I would have to pick True North, forget the palm trees and fruity drinks for vacation, you’ll find me in the north country.
True North.
What a great motif! It’s beautiful, it implies values, direction, confidence, movement and action, everything central and important to manliness. True North it is!
True North is simple yet classy, but because of my Northern Canadian roots I would have to go with the moose in a classic black or chocolate brown ink. I always wanted stationary embossed with my initials so I can send messages with class!
boxer hands down
The skipjack, the lure, and the duck. I also like the razor… too many choices to just pick one!
I would choose True North. Having an instrument to navigate appeals to me.
I’d go with true north as I’m a geographer. It would be cool if there was a vintage oil derrick motif (or a modern pump-jack).
It’s hard to decide, it’s between the man, the boxer, and the safety razor. If I had to pick one I guess it would be the man.
Great choices, I like the boxer and the beagle.
I would choose the skipjack motif. I’ve often wished I could have lived in an age where you could take off in a wooden ship, possibly never to return, and with no idea what lies at the end of the world; so anything nautical has always appealed to me.
I would like the “Man” motif. At first I was more drawn to the “revolver” image, but I’m afraid that might be a bit to aggressive for heart-felt notes.
I’d definitely go with the revolver, since I go shooting more often than I go fishing, and I am partial to the wheelgun for purely aesthetic reasons.
I would use the “man” motif.
They are all good and what a great idea. I would lean towards the Revolver, Skipjack or True North for my stationery.
My choices were initially made by omission. The skipjack is a wonderfully elegant example of Man’s craft (pun unintentional), but I have only been sailing on a handful of times, and were it a schooner I wouldn’t get it as I haven’t travelled overseas. The Mallard in flight is a graceful motif and I am rather fond of ducks but would suit my father much more, as he is an avid bird watcher and is whom I inherited my greater than normal fondness of ducks from.
However, the geese over wetlands is striking, and I feel it says a bit about me. I come from the country and I think the image represents some of that freedom and an appreciation for nature, but particularly because I remember being transfixed by the beauty of the Coorong lakes and wetlands on an early family trip. It’s stunning scenery that has and will always have a hold on me.
True North works for me. Perhaps while it’s not abstract it is geometric. And I suppose I’m more attracted to design which is less representational. i’ll probably get some flack for this comment.
Love this stationery! The True North motif is my pick. It defines the man who knows his way in the world and fills his life with the right things to navigate the world successfully. Thank you!
The Man would be my go to choice, but I really do like the Ax design.
Not to be trendy, but I love the True North design. The army knife is definitely my second favorite. Nice work.
I’d go with both True North and the straight razor
True North – simple and classic without coming on too strong, yet conveying a sort of manly old-world cultured personality.
The man. Hands down.
The revolver for sure!
I would have to choose the geese motif, however I am a zoologist working in wetlands so it seems rather fitting and appropriate. Second choice would be the pointer. It’s dynamic while still maintaining a clean design.
I would have to choose the geese motif, however I am a zoologist working in wetlands so it seems rather fitting and appropriate. Second choice would be the pointer. It’s dynamic while still keeping a clean design.
I would go with the dog. It looks fuller with the background.
I send a lot of mail and I’d go with the setter or the moose. Classic.
I prefer the ‘true north’ logo of those offered, but really I’d prefer some symbol of an American Patriot.
My first instinct is the razor motif but not sure if writing a thank you note with a razor on it will be confusing or not. I would say true north final answer.
If I were to win, I’d choose the boxer motif.
The Boxer or the Straight Razor.
I’d go with the pointer!
The boxer hands down. In my opinion the boxer is THE iconic image of manliness.
I would choose the duck motif, although I do like the compass rose, so the True North motif is a close second.
True North.
I would get either the Ax or the Straight Razor, most likely the Straight Razor.
True North
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