New stationery trends add a personal touch

The top stationery trends for 2010 as forecasted in January by Stationery Trends magazine have been popping up all over the place. You can observe these new trends and much more at the upcoming Chicago Market. There, you’ll have access to special programming, networking, new products, book signings, special guests and more. But for now, have a look at some of the latest stationery trends below.

Eco-chic
Eco-chic stationery includes products made from recycled materials or items with natured-inspired themes.

Consumers are looking for stylish, green alternatives to everyday items, including home decor, office supplies and accessories. Eco-friendly stationery companies can still imitate the look of letterpress by using 100-percent cotton paper. Other green options include recycled or seed-embedded paper, wood veneers and soy-based ink, according to The Knot magazine.

Birds such as hummingbirds, finches and robins, as well as nests, cages, butterflies and botanical images like trees, allium flowers and leaves are still in high fashion. The wedding stationery industry especially has embraced the nature theme, featuring leaves, either green or autumn-hued; unique flowers such as lotus or orchids; and landscapes.

Sensory appeal
Embellishments add excitement to any stationery pieces. Stationery adorned with diamante brads, handmade paper flowers, ribbon, feathers and more offer a fun new way to give stationery some individual style. Also, stationery kits allow consumers to add a personal touch to their stationery, crafting their own unique invitations and thank-you cards. You can group scrapbooking supplies such as stamping, stickers, laser-cut motifs and more into packs with blank or nearly blank stationery pieces to help them create their own items.

Intricate designs in vivid hues
Big, bold colors and bright patterns paired with sleek and sophisticated designs offer a great new way to give invitations and thank-you cards and updated look.

This year’s hot colors in furniture are translating into decor, accessories and now stationery as well. Purple has never been as elegant as it is this year, from eggplant, violet and blackberry to grape, berry and mauve. Purple pairs well with gray, which has proved to be the hot new neutral for 2010.

The versatile color, from pewter and silver to taupe and charcoal, can be teamed well with practically any bright color for a modern, stylish look for any stationery piece. The color is also being paired with the sunny and optimistic color that’s just right for summer: yellow. Pale lemon, lemon-green, mustard or sunflower yellow injects just the right amount of happiness into stationery pieces.

Fashionable wraps
Not in for 2010: boring, old envelopes. Instead, stationery companies are expanding the designs to envelopes as well, adding such elements as patterns or artistic text, metallic foil details or lining the envelope to match the inside stationery. For additional richness, designers use high-end fabrics like silk, velvet and ribbons, according to The Knot.

You will find an extensive collection of stationery items that feature these new trends and more at the Chicago Market in July. For a comprehensive look at all that the Chicago Market offers in stationery, gifts and accessories, home decor, home furnishings and more, visit the Chicago Market Online Product Locator https://mmpichi-365.ascendeventmedia.com/ExhGuide.aspx?p=6#799