Meet Retro Press

Kate, Lauren & Lewi

The trio behind the stationery, all handmade in the Cotswolds

The what

Our ethos is to deliver above & beyond your expectations

Here at Retro Press we aim to create, design, print and produce stationery that’s truly unique and bespoke to you.

From wedding suites, to business stationery and event invitations we cover a broad spectrum of clientele and style.

We take enormous pride in both our approach to your stationery and how it’s designed and put together.

We hand print everything here in our home studio in the heart of the Cotswolds.

What our couples have to say

We use your feedback to fine tune our approach

Exceptional customer service is as important to us as the quality of the finished product.

"Retro Press were phenomenal! Despite a slightly short planning time frame they were able to design and create the most beautiful stationary for our wedding which beautifully matched our flower theme. The team were incredible to work with - great customer service and quality work!"

Emily & Scott

The Cotswolds

"I can’t believe our wedding stationery journey is over… It felt like you were always there, cheering us on! Your personal touch definitely made me feel like I was your only customer – even though I know you are sooooo busy! So thank you for that and your attention to detail."

Gemma & Chris

Essex

"Just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for all the INCREDIBLE stationary we had at the wedding! You guys literally took my vision and made it a reality and everyone was complimenting it all day! The table plan, the weekend packs, the menus, the order or services it was honestly so beautiful to look at! "

Gemma & Will

Midlands

The why

Bespoke stationery that makes a big impact

When we entered the world of the wedding industry we realised quickly that stationery was often just functional and not beautiful.

It was informative and necessary, but visually it was easily overlooked in terms of its importance for setting the tone.

This is where we decided that demonstrating just how your invitations will paint a picture for your guests was the driving force behind our design and production of your stationery.

Form and function was essential, but style and substance in design and finish was imperative.

The who

Kate & Lauren; the faces behind Retro Press

Both graduates in graphic design and art, we share the same foundation and understanding about good design and how to apply this.

Kate studied art and design at Kingston and Camberwell whist Lauren was doing the same at Bath School of Art, it’s here that we both perfected our crafts and pathed the way for what would ultimately become Retro Press.

Kate founded Retro Press, at the start it was an exclusively letterpress led studio specialising in the age-old technique, until a close friend asked if she could apply her skill to wedding invitations & well, the rest is history.

Lauren joined 4 years later and it was her presence and literal extra pair of hands that shifted the way the company worked and ultimately led to the growth and expansion of Retro Press.

The team

Who we are & what we're all about

Kate

She/her

Hey, I’m Kate, the designer & printer at Retro Press.

Here’s 5 fun facts about me:

I’m half Greek, half English, but I can’t say I’ve ever smashed a plate (intentionally).
I have a passion for cooking and spend my life buying recipe books that I don’t have the time to read!
After years in the hospitality industry before starting my own business, I can make a mean cocktail.
After being scouted at the age of 14, I played football for Bristol City Academy.
So it goes without saying, if I wasn’t a designer, I’d be a lioness (in my wildest dreams!)

How Lauren would describe me: Kate is a one off, a true Aquarius; independent, unique and smart. But she’s also incredibly generous, fiercely loyal and wonderfully, wildly creative. Kate’s a work hard play hard kinda gal, she is unequivocally devoted to Retro Press, nothing will leave the studio that’s not totally perfect. So when she lets her hair down, which is rare, she lets it dowwwn!

Founder & Designer

Lauren

She/her

Hi, I’m Lauren, the production & enquiries gal.

Here’s 5 fun facts about me:

I’m a Glaswegian through and through, but sound totally English (I can switch it on instantly though!)
Speaking of accents/ impressions, I’m apparently pretty good at them…
I swallowed a battery when I was 5… Just call me the Duracell bunny.
In 7 years, I’ve only cooked for Kate twice; the last time, I passed out on the kitchen floor.
If I wasn’t working for Retro Press, I’d be an interior designer, it’s a true passion of mine.

How Kate would describe me: Call me bias, but Lauren has got to be the most loving, generous, caring person I know. She thinks about all the small details in all aspects of life, not just here in the studio; from present buying to random acts of kindness, Lauren will always be there to support, care and lift up her family & friends. She loves a game, from board games to arcade games – Lauren is just a big kid at heart.

ILLUSTRATOR & COMMUNICATIONS

Lewi

Dog

Hello, I’m Lewi, the naughtiest member of Retro Press team.

Here’s 5 fun facts about me:

My favourite food is a McChicken Nugget, but they make me a bit hyper.
I was supposed to be a miniature, turns out I’m massive. Like really big.
I have one trick, say ‘kisses kisses’ … and well, I’ll do just that.
My nicknames are: “Dobey”, “Busbey”, “Little legs” and “Houdini”.
I have 5 girlfriends, but don’t tell anyone or any of them.

How Kate & Lauren would describe me: Lewi’s loud, strong willed, stubborn and has extremely selective hearing. He’s also incredibly intelligent, totally devoted to us, extremely protective and overwhelmingly loving. We’re convinced he knows exactly what we’re saying. He has a personality that surpasses any human we know and call us biassed, but we think he’s seriously handsome.

Quality Control

The values

What's important to us here at Retro Press

Creativity

We want our designs to stand out, to be distinctive and most importantly, unique to our couples. We will champion new ways of design and production methods, always looking to create something truly inspirational.

Quality

Nothing leaves the studio unless it is ultimate perfection. Every single element of your stationery needs to be carefully considered; from the design through to the production and finally the wrap and packing stage.

Personal Touch

Every step of your journey with us should feel special. We build incredible relationships with our couples that we cherish. As much as you’re making an investment in us, we’re making one in you too.

The Cotswolds

Based in the wedding capital of the UK

Despite Kate being born in Greece and Lauren in Scotland, we both ended up living and schooling in Cheltenham. Cheltenham is situated in the heart of the Cotswolds and its where Retro Press began. In a bid to gain more space and flexibility we’re now located just a short drive away from Broadway.

It’s here in Broadway that we love to meet our clients over coffee and talk about all things samples and inspiration for your stationery. Our studio is based at home, so any excuse to get out really.

Our studio is our sanctuary. The vibe has to be just right and we love it, it’s full of stationery goodness, wall planners, printing machines, neon artwork, plants and a beanbag for Lewi.

The who for

We’re ‘the doors always open’ kinda people

We’d like to think in our 10 years as Retro Press that we’ve worked with an array of different people and businesses.

No two couples we’ve ever worked with are the same; same in approach, in design preference, finishes… It’s a new brief every time. The product requirement is the same, but to date, we’ve never recreated the same thing twice.

We of course have worked with couples marrying at the same venue, and often wanting the same overall look to their big day, but it’s down to us to make it unique to you.

The planet

Keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum

Being in the stationery sector means we need to make sure that our choices and recycling practices are appropriate. We try to be as environmentally friendly and eco conscious as possible.

Paper

The main concern when it comes to paper is where the wood is sourced.

All papers we use here at Retro Press are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC-C014189).

Hot Foil

We partnered up with Foil Co, and have entered into their ZeroFoil2Landfill scheme.

ZeroFoil2Landfill is a scheme in which they convert any foil waste into SRF, a replacement for fossil fuels.

Plastics

Elements of our packaging do involve plastics like bubble wrap for example.

However, we only use bubble wrap that we receive or collect from other deliveries.

Heard enough

Feel like you’re sold on the Retro Press team?

If you think our personalities are a perfect match and we’re the stationers for you, then get in touch and let’s get started