Paper is something most people take for granted — we scribble, doodle and draw on it — but very few take the simplicity of this material and turn it into something extraordinary. Not Mason-based Up With Paper greeting card company — Up With Paper is celebrating its 40th anniversary of turning humble stationery into delicate and elaborate greeting cards for every occasion.
Started in 1978, the company was originally founded as PopShots Inc. and made its mark as one of the first companies to turn greeting cards into an art form, debuting their cut pop-up cards at the National Stationery Show of 1978. Starting out with six original designs this company quickly grew into a sensation among both local and international card lovers. Then in 2004, PopShots Inc. officially became UWP when the company was breathed new life by Broadway set designer, Paul Zalon, and his business partner, Peter van Witt.
From scenes of cute tigers wearing birthday hats to vibrant fireworks to festive flowers and even brasseries, their creative team is inspired by the artists' own experiences, fashion trends and pop culture. And in 2014, UWP launched its Luxe line, which focuses on millennials and sells directly to consumers via an online shop.
This began a new era in the company’s miniature art form, building on their already established technique of using lasers to cut paper to create stationeries and their iconic pop-up cards.
The UWP Luxe collection has made headwind with new die-cut interactive cards, which not only earned them praise by their consumers, but also by the experts. At the Greeting Card Association LOUIE awards (the Oscars of greeting cards), UWP Luxe took home Card of the Year for its card depicting an elaborate scene from the holiday classic The Nutcracker — which they say was a great way to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
