We were lucky to catch up with Nikki + Ash recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nikki + Ash, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
Ah this is such a nuanced question. We both had entirely different careers before starting Heartprint Press. Never in a million years did we imagine that we would have this amazing letterpress greeting card company — an art form we knew nothing about before diving in head first two short years ago. But when the idea came to us (over a text exchange if you can believe it?!) it just felt like we were on to something really special and there was no turning back. In the same way you can’t control when inspiration strikes, there was no way we could’ve manufactured our “ah ha!” moment before it happened organically on its own. So, to answer the question, do we wish we had started sooner or later? Honestly, we don’t think so. The timing of how this journey unfolded was just right for us. Even with all its plot twists, this new chapter in our lives has been like a beautifully imperfect letterpress print – it may not be perfect, but it’s uniquely ours, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The idea for Heartprint Press came about during a very scary health event for Nikki. Once she arrived home from the hospital we were texting, as we did almost daily, and I kept wishing there was something I could do for her that would bring her even an ounce of relief or levity. So, I texted her in our signature sarcastic, cheeky, and vaguely inappropriate style of banter with obligatory f-word placement for additional comic relief. Nikki’s response erupted into several lines of “hahahahaha hahahahaha hahahahahaha” after which she also responded, “that should be a greeting card!” and that very moment was the start of what was to become Heartprint Press. We figured if we can make each other laugh during some of our darkest times, then we just might be able to do the same for someone else.
At Heartprint Press our collection includes letterpress greeting cards, stationery, mini pocket notes, and vinyl stickers. The cards we create are more than just pieces of paper; they are word driven and reflect things we actually think, things we actually say, and things we actually feel. We want our cards to be evocative and a tangible treasure for the recipient. We don’t shy away from the messy or the ridiculous. Whether you’re sending a letter to someone experiencing a hallmark moment or just navigating the daily absurdities of life, we have a card that will speak to you. Our hope is that our unique blend of humor and heartfelt sincerity, coupled with the artistry of letterpress, inspire people to find their voice and write what’s really in their heart.
We are still a very young company, but we have grown so much in such a short amount of time. We are immensely proud of our tenacity, clear vision, and partnership. We’ve had to learn every aspect of this business from scratch and the support and encouragement we have received along the way has been overwhelming. We’re so excited to see what’s in store next for Heartprint Press.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Absolutely! In the early days of Heartprint Press every single step of starting a business (something we had never done before) in an entirely new (to us) creative field felt so daunting, almost to the point of paralysis where we couldn’t figure out what step to take next so we stood still. We ended up reaching out to an incredible letterpress artist who was so generous in sharing their knowledge and helped point us in the direction of a wonderful mentor who specializes in helping product based businesses such as ours develop and grow. Through that mentor we’ve been introduced to an entire community of creatives in our field, all of whom are looking to lift each other up and help each other succeed. They’ve been game-changers, helping us navigate the challenging waters of both business ownership and letterpress with newfound confidence and expertise.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is the agility and flexibility it affords. Owning our own business allows us to shape our artistic journey in our own vision, pivot when needed, and continuously adapt to the ever-changing landscape of creativity and entrepreneurship. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving adventure that keeps us inspired and engaged.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heartprintpress.com
- Instagram: @heartprintpress