Ink, Paper, and Purpose: Inside Katie Leamon’s World of Sustainable Stationery

In an age dominated by digital communication, Katie Leamon has created a brand that celebrates the enduring beauty of handwritten correspondence.

As the founder of her eponymous stationery brand, Katie Leamon combines traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainability practices, offering a tactile alternative to the fast-paced digital world. From her hand-printed greeting cards to her debut ceramic collection, Katie's work reflects a deep commitment to artistry, ecological responsibility, and the personal touch that comes with sending and receiving something handwritten. In this interview, we explore her journey, the creative process behind her signature products, and how she balances family, creativity, and the growth of her globally recognized brand.

Nicolle: What motivated you to establish a stationery brand centred on tangible craftsmanship and the nostalgic value of handwritten correspondence?

Katie: Firstly, I love manuscripts and written correspondence. I believe it is increasingly important in our digitally-led world to treasure this communication. We all love receiving cards and letters in the post, and I want people to enjoy sharing that feeling. 

Nicolle: Could you walk us through the process of creating your signature hand-printed greeting cards using polymer rubber stamps, and how does this technique contribute to each card's uniqueness?

Katie: We start with a drawing, which is then made into a black-and-white image, so there is no greyscale. This is then used like a screen to block light on a light-sensitive liquid polymer sachet. This creates the relief needed to get the printing block to work, and we then use that polymer stamp on a tabletop Adana letterpress. Each card is individually hand printed, which means that each and everyone could be slightly different and is, in part, down to the human eye. 

Nicolle: With the launch of your debut ceramic collection in October 2023, how does this new product line complement your existing stationery offerings?

Katie: I believe I have quite a distinct style in terms of colour and overall theme, so the tangible nature of the natural materials, textures, and soft colours link our ceramics to our stationery line beautifully. 

Nicolle: How do you and your family balance Katie Leamon's creative and operational aspects, particularly with your partner Ruairi and sister Rachel involved in key roles?

Katie: It is a constant juggle, and we have to be strict on ourselves not to spend too long talking shop when we are not at work. Particularly with Ruairi as we live together so we have to find time to switch off. The huge benefit is trust and dedication. Knowing you have each other’s backs and can trust them implicitly is amazing. Creatively, I have to find space away from the production side of things and sometimes carve time to be alone and visit exhibitions or simply be away from my computer and desk to reignite my creativity. 

Nicolle: Achieving a plastic-free status by 2020 is impressive. What were some key steps and challenges in reaching this goal, and how do you continue to innovate with ecological alternatives?

Katie: We updated our outgoing packaging, replaced plastic caps with cardboard, and replaced all our sleeves with either cornstarch packaging or simply no packaging at all. Luckily, the world was moving in this direction anyway, and there are lots of alternatives on the market now. Some items took a while to replace, and we wanted to work through our stock rather than wasting anything, so it was a gradual process and one that continues to evolve as we launch new products and have to source new alternatives. 

Nicolle: How do you ensure that your stationery collections maintain a distinctive aesthetic while also evolving with new design trends?

Katie: I don’t follow too many design trends, to be honest – maybe I shouldn’t admit that, but I think we have lasted this long by sticking to a tight aesthetic that centres on neutral colours, organic shapes, and textures, and combines this with graphics and type. There are certain colours that we might adopt for a capsule range, but generally, we work on what sells well and what feels true to me and the brand. I follow my gut mostly, and luckily, after 15 years, I get better at learning what will sell well and what will have a limited shelf life. 

Nicolle: Your products are stocked in prestigious stores like Harrods and Selfridges. What strategies have been essential in building and sustaining your brand’s global retail presence?

Katie: For a long time, we did shows across the UK and USA up to 5 times a year, which allowed us to meet face-to-face with buyers in a laid-back environment. Since COVID and having children, this has been much less so, but luckily, a lot of those relationships have been established, and we can touch base digitally with many of them. We ensure we nurture those relationships as best we can and treat customers all individually and with huge care and attention. 

Nicolle: Can you share more about your long-term commitment to ethical practices and what future initiatives or goals do you have to further enhance the sustainability and social responsibility of your brand?

Katie: As a small family-run business, ethical trading is a top priority for us. We source as locally as possible so we can be sure the settings are using FSC-certified papers, have their own ethical trading standards, and are in line with our company values. Sourcing like this also ensures our carbon footprint remains small. We will continue to review our current practices and ensure we are up to date with any eco-initiatives in the market we can take advantage of. I currently run an art club at our local school and would like to get involved in more community projects with the local community here in North London too, such as art therapy and workshops alongside some social enterprise groups we know locally. 

Katie Leamon’s commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and ethical practices continues to shape her brand's identity in a world where mindful consumption is increasingly valued. Through her hand-printed stationery, innovative use of natural materials, and personal approach to running a family business, Katie has crafted a brand that not only resonates with customers but also sets an example of how traditional art forms can thrive in a modern marketplace.

As she looks ahead, Katie remains dedicated to both evolving her product line and deepening her positive impact on the environment and her local community—proving that sustainability and creativity can work hand in hand.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.