Thursday, March 12, 2009

Vendor Spotlight :: Eiffel Print Design

Gorgeous stationary sets the tone for your wedding. The mixture of colors, printing style, and embellishments create a unique + personal statement to your guests.



Brittany Hermansen of Eiffel Print Design has that instinctive eye for detail, and approaches each creation as a labor of love.


Bridetiquette recently chatted with Brittany, to ask about her love of all things paper.

What inspired you to start your business?
I’m a former bride who just couldn’t let go of weddings! Many brides experience a post-wedding letdown, but I was lucky enough to be able to channel my spare time and energy into a business.

I received so many compliments on the paper items I made for my own wedding, and I’ll admit, I was surprised. I knew my invitations were nice, but didn’t expect my family to rave about them so much! After the wedding, I had a few friends ask me to make things for them, and the whole thing just blossomed from there.

Where are you located?
I have a nice little studio in residential Ballard. I’ve found that my Ballard location has given me a little bit of hipster cred!

How long have you been in business?
This May it will be 5 years. What a journey it’s been! I can really see how my technique has improved since that first invitation, and how my approach to creative design has changed.

I started in my apartment and then moved to a separate, larger space and now have between 4-7 part-time employees who do assembly.

What special things do you create for weddings?
I can create a full service experience from a year before the wedding to 3 months after! I make save-the-dates, invitations, programs, rehearsal dinner invitations, menus, table cards, escort cards, announcements, thank-you notes, and anything else you can think of!
I love creating a palette that extends to all parts of the event.

What is unique about your work?
I think my work is unique because of the great attention to detail. With a strong background in scrapbooking and card crafting, I take a slightly different approach to invitation design.


I’m all about embellishments and 3-D elements that make flat invitations pop!

We regularly use rhinestones, brooches, seashells, charms, textured papers and anything tactile that brings life to an invitation.

I also have a fabulous collection of mix-and-match invitations, Eiffel Originals. These invitations come in 10 truly unique designs, 48 color choices and 7 size/orientation options. Most of them have fun embellishments, which is a nice departure from the standard mix-and-match designs you find elsewhere.

What advice can you share for all of the brides getting married this year?
Start early! Being prepared well in advance can keep costs under control; whether it’s hitting the bridal shows to look for discounts, or simply not waiting until the last minute, and incurring rush fees. Also, a good coordinator can be your best friend during the planning process.
Coordinators always have relationships with other vendors, and those alliances can save you time + money.

Where can we see/purchase/order your work/product/service?

My website would be the best place to start! www.eiffelprintdesign.com.
I also have a blog, http://eiffelprintdesign.wordpress.com/.
One of my newer invitation sets was also featured in the current edition of Seattle Bride, Spring/Summer 2009.

What inspires you?
I find inspiration in fashion design as well as nature!



Since creating my first beach-themed invitation, I’ve become more interested in using elements of nature in invitations, from printed flowers or leaves to sand dollars and even to feathers.



Of course, the feathers also cross over to fashion and my inspiration there.


I love ribbons, buckles and buttons; the fun and detailed accoutrements of clothing design.

I was thrilled to find Suburban Silk, a company that makes beautiful Thai silk boxes, and I love using them with my pieces.



What price ranges do your products/services fall into?
I have a mix-and-match collection called Eiffel Originals, and range from $6.25 to $7.75 per set.
My Completely Custom pieces range from about $7.50-$10.00 per set.
Boxed invitations start at $12.00 each.

What do you bring to the industry that sets you apart?
I think my personalized approach creates a customized design experience that brides appreciate. Sometimes brides come in with no concept of how to start the design process, but we are easily able to come up with something gorgeous in a short period of time.

I approach each first consultation with the idea that we are creating some brand new and original for that bride. All of the customizable elements; from fonts, to ink colors, to size and orientation, to embellishments, are part of making a truly original invitation suite that reflects the bride and grooms’ personalities!

Where can clients contact you?
Clients can contact me directly at 206.784.5122 or by email at:
brittany@eiffelprintdesign.com
Thank you so much Brittany, your invitations are divine!

1 comment:

Jennifer Worick said...

What lovely invitations! I can see why you like her.