my studio as seen by Tracey Ayton

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​Vancouver-based photographer Tracey Ayton was recently in Calgary on some shoots and she stopped by to visit the UPPERCASE studio. Here are some images of my workspace that she captured; there are more on Tracey's blog. We have published Tracey's work in the current issue (#17) where you can see a photo essay about Granville Eyeland Framemakers.

I was happy that Tracey was here to capture some images of the space "au naturel" (no tidying!), though I am also planning on a final photographic study of the studio to feature in the fall issue of UPPERCASE. By the time the fall issue is out, this space will be a memory and UPPERCASE will be nestled into our new office. It is hard to believe that I'll have to move it all in a few short months.

mmmmmm, 17.

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​Erin scratches...

​sniff sniff sniff

It's always a thrill to flip through a brand new issue. This cover is by the Norwegian illustration duo Darling Clementine.

​So much great content in this issue...

​An article about Willy Chyr, balloon artist, written by Glen Dresser.

​Carolyn Gavin illustrated the story of Ecojot, her environmentally conscious Canadian paper goods company.

​Iron Curtain Press written by Emily Grosse and Andie Powers.

That's just a teaser of all the creative and curious content in our spring issue. If you want to see more, click here for a digital flip-through. ​But trust us, UPPERCASE is a magazine you want to hold (and sniff) for yourself.

{ SUBSCRIBE }

can you smell it?

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UPPERCASE issue #17 is printed! The covers were printed and left to dry and then run through the press two additional times to apply coats of the scented varnish for our scratch and sniff cover.​ It will dry a bit more before it is all in the bindery early next week.

Chris Young sent me these shots of the magazine on the press room floor this afternoon. Apparently when the job was running yesterday the cherry scent wafted through the entire plant—everyone knew that the UPPERCASE job was under way.​ People at reception were wiggling their noses wondering what was going on. You can imagine that applying a cherry varnish to 10,000 magazines could be a stinky business!

Since Prolific Graphics is in Winnipeg and I'm here in Calgary, I can't often make it to the press check.​ Thank you to Chris and all the excellent people working at Prolific for taking on this experiment and making it work: you were my eyes AND nose on this one!

(For those of you with sensitive noses, rest assured that once the varnish is dry you can only smell the effect by scratching the varnished area.)​

Thinking of subscribing? Subscribe this weekend and your name will be on the master mailing list as this issue makes its way into the postal system. Use the code "hop-to-it!" for $15 off subscriptions. Thanks!​ 

Code is valid until midnight MST April 1 and cannot be retroactively applied.

Free stationery samples for subscribers!

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Lagom Design

​This is the opening statement for the paper-lover's extravaganza of a feature in the forthcoming issue of UPPERCASE magazine. Profiling 50 companies who create greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationery and all variety of paper goods, the UPPERCASE Stationery Guide is an excellent reference if you're a paperholic, have a retail shop and are looking for unique items or are an aspiring stationery designer looking to break into the industry.

The companies we've profiled are all part of the UPPERCASE family; the feature was created from an open call sent out on the website and via social media channels. Once again, the talent of our readers is amazing!

As a bonus to our subscribers, each subscriber copy will include an actual sample from one of the profiled companies. Greeting cards, bookmarks, letterpressed goodies... Erin and I were delighted as we opened each box that arrived at our door. I've photographed the samples to show you want you can expect to be hand-inserted into your subscriber copy. The following represent just a teaser of all the samples.​

​A. Favorite Design

​Mac and Ninny Paper Co

​Tweedle Press

​Curious & Co. Creative

​Steel Petal Pres

Just a small sampling of the amazing selection of what will be randomly included in your subscriber copy. Issue 17 is in print production and we're excited to ship this one out.

These free samples are only included for subscribers as of March 26—so subscribe or renew today to get this nice little bonus.

(Use the code "marchingrightalong" for a surprise discount at checkout. Click here to order!)

Thank you to Sandra, my SAIT intern for a week, who Photoshopped these images for me.

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Type Tuesday: Engraving for Nerds

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In our forthcoming issue we have an excellent article written by Nikki Sheppy about stationer and engraver Nancy Sharon Collins.​ Nancy is the author of an amazing book, The Complete Engraver, which I highly recommend. I purchased her book last November and was inspired by its content, which led to UPPERCASE contacting Nancy for a feature article in our stationery issue.

Nancy is in the midst of her second Kickstarter campaign, to bring her popular "Engraving for Nerds" book tour to the West Coast of the US. "Engraving, and other slow printing processes, have become satisfying antidotes to tippity-typing on tiny little screens and impersonal computers day after day. In the manner of letterpress and silk screen printing, linoleum and wood cutting—each of which takes loads of love, time, and oodles of patient attention—engraving is scrumptious to look at, enriching to hold, and (best of all) enlightening to make and to use."

Help support her campaign to cover the tour costs and you could receive rewards from various levels:​

  • Jessica Hische's new font, Minot (the San Francisco presentation is held in Jessica's studio!)
  • Be a member of the VIP team for the engraving day at the International Printing History Museum in Carson, CA
  • Beta test and be the first 5 to get the new engraving app being developed
  • Get the first-ever engraving app Sharon is developing
  • Your own engraved, custom monogram notes

Head on over to Kickstarter for more details. 

jump into print

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If you've been a blog reader or online follower for a while, now's a great time to jump into a print subscription. Subscribe and start with #16 which will ship out immediately. #17 will be quick on its heals in April.

In case you missed it on Twitter, we have a sale running on our online shop: use the discount code "springfling" at checkout for 15% off anything in our online shop! (Discount code cannot be retroactively applied to past purchases, nor can it be applied to wholesale orders. Valid until the end of the month.)​ 

getting into detail

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The low res digital proofs from our printer, ready for review.​

​The cover is output as a high quality; it's on a glossy stock for colour proofing purposes though the actual magazine cover is printed on uncoated.

​The cover illustration is by Norwegian dynamic duo Darling Clementine. (Look for a feature article about them in this issue.) The cherries on the front cover will have a scented varnish applied for a scratch and sniff effect! (Activated by scratching only; the magazine will have its usual vegetable ink and paper smell as well.)

​Another scratch and sniff detail for the back!

​The logo position hasn't changed in seventeen issues and the standardized cover design format still allows for a lot of play and variety from one to the next.

​The diagonal motif is the repeating pattern throughout this issue. It was inspired by air mail stationery.

​Seventeen issues! I still can't believe that I've done so many. How time flies... (Speaking of time flying, my little baby boy turns 3 this week!)

​Lots of inspiring content in this issue, with a focus on paper goods and stationery. Plus explorations of fragility, transparency and ephemerality.

The spring issue of UPPERCASE is in print production! Subscribe today to ensure that you're on the mailing list—subscribers will receive a complimentary sample from one of the fabulous stationery companies featured in this issue.

pssst... Use the code "springfling" for 15% off all orders in the shop!

The code is valid until the end of March, not valid on wholesale purchases. Sorry, the discount cannot be retroactively applied to past purchases or if you forget to use the code during checkout.​

scratch 'n' sniff

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Janine sniffs the "lemon" card. Hmmm... a bit too detergent and not enough meringue!

Each scent was packaged in its own ziplock bag.

Apparently, this is very scientific.

One of the fun extras in the forthcoming spring issue (Issue #17, out in April) is an article about scented ink printing technology. We're going to include our very own scratch 'n' sniff area on the next issue so thorough scent-testing is required.

For those of you with a sensitivity to smell (I'm one of them!), don't worry—the scent is only revealed when the small area is gently rubbed and your magazine won't be smelly (except for that lovely fresh ink on paper aroma.)

Cake for Charlie

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Los Angeles-based UPPERCASE reader Sarah Hodges has just launched a new website called "Cake for Charlie" featuring her wrapping paper designs. A graphic designer by trade, Sarah is leaving client work behind and "branching out and having some fun!"

​Cake for Charlie papers are designed in Los Angeles and printed in Pasadena, CA. Keeping operations local, environmentally friendly and made in the USA is important to me. I live in Los Angeles with—in order of size —my husband, two kids, two dogs, a guinea pig and two beta fish. After studying art history and semiotics at Brown University, I received my MFA in graphic design from CalArts. I am a New York City girl gone west and I'm always surprised that I've stayed. I guess it's grown on me.

olivebox

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A stylish teaser preview of My Olive Box, with UPPERCASE issue #13 used as a pretty prop!​

I wanted to share a new project started by Grace Kang, owner of the Pink Olive shops in New York City. Grace has stocked UPPERCASE for a number of years now, and as a retail consultant, is always leading the edge of what's up-and-coming.

OliveBox​ is a monthly subscription service for paper lovers. Every month, our members will receive a delightful box of paper and lifestyle products delivered to their front door. Currently, there is so much clutter in the marketplace and less time to find creative items that inspire giving and beautiful living. We hope to change that with OliveBox and become the go-to retail platform that helps women celebrate and enjoy the journey of life. When customers sign up for OliveBox, they will not only be giving this gift to themselves, but they will be receiving something they can gift forward. The idea behind OliveBox was born out of love for creative finds by Grace Kang, former buyer of Bloomingdale's and Barneys and found of popular Pink Olive gift boutiques in NYC.

Sign up for your OliveBox right here >>>.​