The 14th and 15th of May 2024 marked Andhand's return to the London Stationery Show, an event we eagerly anticipated. This show is renowned as the only specialist trade show dedicated exclusively to the stationery category, making it a pivotal event for both small and large brands in the field. It is a must-attend for anyone passionate about paper goods, writing instruments, and all things stationery-related.
Reflecting on our debut at the show last year brings back fond memories. We had a great first-time experience (you can read more about it in our previous blog post), where we enjoyed meeting a multitude of wonderful people from across the industry. One of the highlights was undoubtedly walking away with the Writing Instrument of the Year award for our Method Pen Mini, a moment of pride and validation for our team.
Returning to the show this year was just as exciting. We were thrilled to see some familiar faces in the neighboring stands, including the creative minds behind CoffeeNotes, Once Upon a Tuesday, and Storigraphic. These brands have become our friends and allies in the stationery world, and it was great to catch up with them and see their latest offerings. Additionally, we were excited to meet newcomers to the show, such as Rebel Stationery and The Inspired Stories, who brought fresh energy and innovative products to the exhibition.
The London Stationery Show is not just about showcasing products; it’s about building connections and being part of a vibrant community of stationery enthusiasts. We had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations about the latest trends in paper products, writing tools, and organizational supplies. It was inspiring to see the creativity and passion that drives the industry forward.
For us at Andhand, the show provided a valuable opportunity to present our latest designs and receive feedback from both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic newcomers. We displayed our new range of pens along with our existing offering of desk accessories and writing tools, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
Our stand G120, meticulously laid out just before the doors opened on day 1.
Since last year, we expanded our range, which necessitated a larger stand at the London Stationery Show. One entire section was dedicated to our new Aspect capless rollerball pens. We are really proud of this small but mighty pen; it's a great pocket-sized companion for journaling, sketching, and note-taking.
Crafted entirely from aluminum, the Aspect pen boasts a minimal, faceted form that catches the light beautifully. The standout feature is its large click mechanism, which we engineered to be both satisfying and practical, there’s some clever engineering inside that allows for a large capacity refill in a compact pen. Additionally, the Aspect pen can be converted from a capless rollerball to a ballpoint, as it can accommodate a variety of refills, making it truly versatile. This flexibility ensures that users can switch between a smooth rollerball experience and a more traditional ballpoint feel depending on their writing needs.
Being at the show for the second year, we were much better prepared. The stand build and takedown were now seamless operations. However, predicting the show’s attendance and peaks and troughs in footfall remained a challenge. Positioned near the front of the hall, we were swept up in a sea of visitors within the first five minutes of opening.
We had hoped to attend some of the public talks, particularly one by Theo Paphitis, the retail magnate and owner of Ryman. But the constant stream of visitors kept us busy, leaving barely any time to even grab a sandwich. Despite the hustle, it was fantastic to reconnect with some of our existing stockists from across the UK and to meet stockists who were entirely new to our brand.
One person we always love to see is Sarah from Pencil Me In, based in Elgin, Scotland. Sarah travels a great distance to attend the show, and it’s always a pleasure to chat with her. She offers a wealth of insight and was kind enough to gift us some personalized pencils during her visit.
The display in the center of the hall with all the finalists.
The Aspect pen attracted a fair amount of attention at the show. Being shortlisted for Writing Instrument of the Year was a significant honor, especially given the esteemed company we found ourselves in. Brands like Leuchtturm1917, Kaweco, Pentel, and Retro 51 are well-known and respected in the industry, being considered alongside them was an achievement in itself.
As the first day of the show came to a close, we were eagerly anticipating the results. When it was announced that the Aspect pen had won the Writing Instrument of the Year award, the second consecutive year for an Andhand pen, we were genuinely surprised and deeply grateful. This award means a lot to us because it recognizes the hard work and dedication that goes into designing and producing our pens.
The Aspect pen comes in Blush Pink, Forest Green, Gold Lustre and Slate Grey anodized finishes.
Winning this award again is a testament to the effort our team puts into ensuring quality and innovation. We strive to create writing instruments that people love to use, and receiving such positive feedback from the industry is very encouraging. It's also humbling to be acknowledged among such distinguished brands, and it motivates us to continue improving and delivering the best products we can.
The trophy now accompanies last years on the office window.
Overall, our return to the London Stationery Show was a great success. We left feeling inspired and motivated, filled with new ideas and a renewed commitment to creating exceptional pens and stationery products. We are grateful for the support and recognition we received and look forward to continuing our journey in the wonderful world of stationery.