Custom Engravers: Piccolo Press of Scotland

[tfwall]

Shortly after Christmas, I realized that my stationery stores were getting low so I began a search for a company willing to make up some custom engraved stuff with the USN officer crest. I made enquiries at Dempsey & Carroll, Crane and Smythson before finally choosing Piccolo Press of Scotland. Run by Tim Honnor, a retired Royal Navy sub commander, they provide stationery to HM embassies and armed forces as well as doing the usual wedding invitation sort of thing. Mr Honnor was very interested in doing engraving for U.S. service members and came back with the lowest price for a custom hand-engraved die (even with the pound sterling to dollar disparity).

 

A few days later, I received a sample kit with a wide variety of paper sizes, weights and formats. I ultimately choose the house brand of smooth cream stationery, going with 400 gsm large correspondence cards, 135 gsm 9"x7" writing paper, and matching envelopes, all engraved with gold ink. Two days later, I had PDF printer's proofs for my approval and then in less than 2 weeks, the stationery was on its way. I didn't even have to call overseas once. I received the stationery today, well packaged and securely shipped by the method I requested.

 

The final product is outstanding, smooth and very fountain pen friendly with no feathering and a fast drying time to avoid smearing. The engraving itself is sharp, clear and consistent across the printing run. I couldn't be happier with the whole experience. It was also nice to deal with an retired RN officer who seems to like his new second career so much.

 

I'd highly recommend Piccolo Press for your next stationery order. I'd especially recommend it for any service members looking to have change-of-command, retirement or advancement invitations made up.

 

Here is a close up of the engraving (it is the USN officer crest and has my name below it, also in gold ink):

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3297983959_07bcda08dd_o.jpg

Edited February 22, 2009 by Chemyst

[yachtsilverswan]

Very nice detailing of the crest.

 

In a time when emails, text messages, and IMs are the rule; nothing approaches the impact of a handwritten note on engraved stationery.

 

With 42 emails in my InBox, a ragged herd of Post-Its tagged to my lamp announcing missed calls, and one single hand addressed envelope sitting on my blotter, which do you think will be read first?

 

Which do you think will be remembered?

 

I have had colleagues and distant acquaintances come up to me months after I sent a brief "atta-boy" or congratulatory note to thank me for the only handwritten note they had every received.

 

You have great taste Chemyst.

Edited February 22, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[kiavonne]

I'd love to give their product a try, though I'm scared a little of the cost. The paper looks nice, though. It sounds you are very happy with the outcome, which makes me think a little more seriously about sending them some more Stateside business.

[tfwall]

I'd love to give their product a try, though I'm scared a little of the cost.

 

I think that if you price out custom engraved stationery, they will come in near the cheapest if not the cheapest, especially for custom work beyond just engraving your name.

 

The paper looks nice, though. It sounds you are very happy with the outcome, which makes me think a little more seriously about sending them some more Stateside business.

 

The picture is of a correspondence card, which has a texture to it. The writing sheets are very smooth and closer to Clairefontaine Triomphe paper in terms of texture.

 

[jockey]

Hi Chemyst,

 

I've been looking into getting some engraved correspondence stationery from Piccolo Press - I'm interested to hear your comments; they seem to be a very committed and professional firm. I'm wondering whether to get the envelopes tissue-lined - which type did you go for?

[tfwall]

Hi Chemyst,

 

I've been looking into getting some engraved correspondence stationery from Piccolo Press - I'm interested to hear your comments; they seem to be a very committed and professional firm. I'm wondering whether to get the envelopes tissue-lined - which type did you go for?

 

I went unlined out of personal preference. They offer handmade envelopes either lined/unlined, the lined just don't appeal to me.

[Chris Chalmers]

Shortly after Christmas, I realized that my stationery stores were getting low so I began a search for a company willing to make up some custom engraved stuff with the USN officer crest. I made enquiries at Dempsey & Carroll, Crane and Smythson before finally choosing Piccolo Press of Scotland. Run by Tim Honnor, a retired Royal Navy sub commander, they provide stationery to HM embassies and armed forces as well as doing the usual wedding invitation sort of thing. Mr Honnor was very interested in doing engraving for U.S. service members and came back with the lowest price for a custom hand-engraved die (even with the pound sterling to dollar disparity).

 

A few days later, I received a sample kit with a wide variety of paper sizes, weights and formats. I ultimately choose the house brand of smooth cream stationery, going with 400 gsm large correspondence cards, 135 gsm 9"x7" writing paper, and matching envelopes, all engraved with gold ink. Two days later, I had PDF printer's proofs for my approval and then in less than 2 weeks, the stationery was on its way. I didn't even have to call overseas once. I received the stationery today, well packaged and securely shipped by the method I requested.

 

The final product is outstanding, smooth and very fountain pen friendly with no feathering and a fast drying time to avoid smearing. The engraving itself is sharp, clear and consistent across the printing run. I couldn't be happier with the whole experience. It was also nice to deal with an retired RN officer who seems to like his new second career so much.

 

I'd highly recommend Piccolo Press for your next stationery order. I'd especially recommend it for any service members looking to have change-of-command, retirement or advancement invitations made up.

 

Here is a close up of the engraving (it is the USN officer crest and has my name below it, also in gold ink):

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3297983959_07bcda08dd_o.jpg

 

I use their lovely stationery - and found it after asking a snail-pal where he got his wonderful writing paper from - he was in Italy at the time - I'm in Australia!

I googled and found their site and spent ages there - and then phoned and spoke to Margaret Hendry who was very helpful - perfect customer care. We discussed my preferences and she sent me a sample pack of papers - free of charge.

I eventually settled on Piccolo White (not smooth) in A4 size and unlined envelopes of the same size and paper.

I love the paper - it takes all fountain pens - no feathering or bleeding - even from my most generous nibs - and I just bought plain sheets - without any engraving at all. I would highly recommend Piccolo Press to everyone!

Sometimes I use my other stationery, just to remind myself of why I love Piccolo! :cloud9:

 

[tfwall]

I use their lovely stationery - and found it after asking a snail-pal where he got his wonderful writing paper from - he was in Italy at the time - I'm in Australia!

I googled and found their site and spent ages there - and then phoned and spoke to Margaret Hendry who was very helpful - perfect customer care. We discussed my preferences and she sent me a sample pack of papers - free of charge.

I eventually settled on Piccolo White (not smooth) in A4 size and unlined envelopes of the same size and paper.

I love the paper - it takes all fountain pens - no feathering or bleeding - even from my most generous nibs - and I just bought plain sheets - without any engraving at all. I would highly recommend Piccolo Press to everyone!

Sometimes I use my other stationery, just to remind myself of why I love Piccolo! :cloud9:

 

I'd certainly agree about their high level of customer service.

 

I also requested and tried out a couple sheets of a third party paper marketed as having a "special pen surface" for fountain pens, but I didn't think it was as nice as their house line of paper.

[Gran]

Their website is fascinating. Their work looks beautiful. Found this moving piece on printing, literacy, and self-government: http://www.piccolopress.co.uk/gift/Desktop...es/Image32.html

 

Thanks much for posting about them.