Field Notes

The Journal.

Writing from the studio on packaging, print, and the small-business craft of making something feel considered.

PrintMar 2026

Choosing a paper stock that survives the courier.

GSM, coating, grain direction — the three specs that decide whether your card arrives crisp or kinked.

BrandingFeb 2026

The case for a single-colour packaging system.

Why the boldest small brands of 2026 are stripping back to one ink and letting the substrate do the talking.

StudioJan 2026

Notes on launching a seasonal drop without burning out.

A six-week production calendar for two-person studios releasing themed packaging volumes.

ProcessDec 2025

Foiling at home — a realistic guide.

What a desktop foil press can and can't do, and when to send the job out instead.