Seven Black-Owned Stationery Companies to Bookmark for a Future Party

Whether you're sending out a quick thank-you note or invitations to a socially-distanced baby shower, beautiful stationery can leave a lasting impression on the person who receives it. In an age where everyone dashes off texts and emails, sharing a sentimental message on a pretty card or piece of writing paper can be a small, but impactful gesture. "Stationery is like a portable piece of art," Carmen Cardoza, the founder of Ebonii's Moon, tells MarthaStewart.com. "It makes the recipient feel special." In the market for well-designed cards and writing paper that's sure to brighten someone's day? Read ahead for seven Black-owned stationery companies to support in the new year.

Ebonii's Moon

Based in Orlando, Florida, Cardoza launched Ebonii's Moon in September 2020 after years of designing custom print pieces for clients. "As a graphic designer who loves stationery, it was a natural transition for me as I contemplated the next chapter in my career," she explains. "I wanted to create stationery art to convey love, joy, pain—the graces of life—in an accessible way." Offering everything from hand-designed postcards and bookmarks to monthly plannerstickers, Ebonii's Moon is brimming with hip stationery goods that moonlight as mini masterpieces. "A postcard can be mailedor framed as a small print, and a sticker can be used to decorate a letter or envelope, or become part of a larger mixed collage," Cardoza explains. "Stationery can be used in so many creative ways."

Patrina's Paperie

When she couldn't find a unique personalized stationery set that reflected her style, Patrina Harris opted to design some for herself. "I remember the feeling I had when I created the first foiled stationery set for myself," she says. "Seeing my name in beautiful foiled letters on high-quality paper gave me an incredible feeling of confidence and empowerment, and I wanted to create that experience for others." In 2016, Harris launched Patrina's Paperie and brought her assortment of customizable, metallic-foiled goods to the masses. "Every one of our stationery offerings is handmade, allowing us to give each piece the attention to detail our customers expect," she says.

YayDay Paper Co.

Based in Miami, Florida, YayDay Paper Co. is a completely digital stationery shop that allows customers to purchase, download and print their designs from the comfort of their homes. "I was inspired to launch YayDay Paper Co. so that I could make beautiful prints more accessible," says founder and creative director Amber Kemp-Gerstel. "Over time, I've seen fewer and fewer brick and mortar paper boutiques, so I wanted to offer the same design quality in a more accessible way." In addition to patterned greeting cards, envelope liners, and writing paper designs, YayDay also offers an array of supplemental stationery goods, including stickers and gift tags, that you can print at home. "The versatility and accessibility of our prints definitely make YayDay Paper Co. a great option for seasoned crafters as well as beginner stationery lovers," Kemp-Gerstel says.

Blú Rose Designs

After years of designing cards and invites for family and friends as a hobby, Amber McDonough launched Blú Rose Designs in 2015 and hasn't looked back since. "I love coming up with new designs, and searching for unique photos or art to include," she explains. Along with a wide assortment of customizable event invitations—think everything from dinner party to wedding invitations—Blú Rose Designs also offers a solid assortment of personalized stationery cards, including holiday and thank-you cards. "I love my client's reactions when they see the final design or product," she says.

Copper and Brass

A longtime fan of eye-catching stationery, Ariel Young grew up loving Lisa Frank products. "I am a child of the 1980s and have always gravitated towards bright, vivid colors and graphics," she says. "I believe it's important to create the products that you would like to see in stores, and that is exactly what I did," she explains. In 2018, she founded Copper and Brass, with a mission to bring Afrocentric paper goods, such as greeting cards, notebooks, office supplies, and wrapping paper, to market. "Our stationery is unique because it highlights the experiences of Black women," she says. "Our products are designed to make women smile and apply more effort into their own self-care, despite the pressures of the world."

Effie's Paper

Growing up with a grandmother who worked at a greeting card company, Kalyn Johnson Chandler fell in love with stationery as a young child. It came as no surprise when, after years of working as a lawyer, Chandler decided to launch an online paper goods shop named after her grandmother, Effie, and focus on stationery, instead. Along with an assortment of boxed stationery and envelope sets, notepads, and calling cards, Effie's Paper also offers a monthly stationery subscription box, complete with curated notecards, pens, and other paper-related goodies, that you can treat yourself (or your pen pal) to.

Paper & Stylo

The daughter of a pen collector, Vanessa Demosthene grew up understanding the art and power of penmanship. "My dad taught me that stationery has sentimental value," she explains. "I founded Paper & Stylo to share that love and provide others with beautiful stationery and paper goods." In addition to stationery supplies such as gold foiled envelopes and marble-style sticky notes, Paper & Stylo offers a variety of quality paper goods, including twill blend notebooks, patterned journals, and of course, ball point, gel, fountain, and dip pens. "I want for someone to be able pull out a journal years later and still find it in great shape," Demosthene says.