Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanette Pidi.

Jeanette, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my design and letterpress business in 2016, but I’m confident in saying its roots were planted in 1939. That’s the year my grandfather, Vito, started his career as a printer. Years later, my father, Lou, followed in his footsteps. Though it seems like I was born into the role, it wasn’t always my goal to start a printing business.

After graduating college with a BFA in Graphic Design, I was introduced to stationery design and letterpress printing during my internship and subsequent role with a luxury stationery designer in New York City. At the time, letterpress was just starting to see a resurgence in popularity, and I loved the idea of large, antique equipment being used to print beautiful, delicate wedding stationery. After a few more years of working in the corporate world and feeling burnt out, I felt it was time for something new, so my father and I began Jeanette Pidi Design.

Over the past 7 years, I’ve learned the art of printing from my father while designing custom wedding stationery and signage. We’ve worked with clients across the country, as well as internationally. Our studio has grown from a single antique letterpress machine to three letterpress machines, a laser-cutter, digital and white ink printers, and a hot foil press. This allows us to do the majority of our work in-house, so we can dedicate more time to our clients. All of our custom work is handcrafted for each of them, guaranteeing a unique and special experience.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are definitely obstacles and challenges as a small business owner who mostly works on her own. Imposter syndrome is a big one. There are so many amazing and talented stationers on social media with huge followings and unique, impressive work. It can be intimidating sometimes, especially when your own work isn’t getting a ton of likes and follows. I just remind myself that even though I may not be a hit on social media, there are still many people who find my work and hire me to create custom stationery for their special day.

Working on my own, I’m also accountable for small mistakes that can often be costly. Letterpress is such a hands-on process that even small issues can eat into profits. There are also times where my first attempt at a new technique or printing method is during an actual client project. There’s a lot of guesswork and testing that needs to be done, which requires absorbing the costs for additional supplies and reprinting.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist, it’s so important to me that my work is authentic. I primarily create custom event stationery and I thrive to make unique designs for my clients. I also try to keep as much of my printing and production in-house to ensure I’m always able to maintain a high standard of quality.

I hand paint and illustrate any graphic elements, including custom watercolor paintings, illustrations, and calligraphy. I avoid using stock imagery or graphics so I can be sure the end result is one-of-a-kind. I think this is what helps set me apart from others and attracts new clients.

How do you define success?
I would define success as having a steady stream of projects that are interesting and exciting. New design challenges are always welcome and I feel most fulfilled when I’m being challenged by a client to do something new and interesting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jeanettepididesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanettepididesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanettepididesign