Robert Smails Printing Works

Step inside the rhythm of an age-old craft, welcome to the world of letterpress by Robert Smail’s Printing Works, where ink, type and time-honoured machines come together to give real character to your stationery.

Who’s behind the magic?

Nestled in the heart of Innerleithen, the Printing Works has been quietly setting type and printing since 1866.
Today the same foot-treadle Arab platen, the great 1886 Wharfedale Reliance and a treasure trove of wooden and lead typeface blocks are still used. At the helm is a small team, the compositor who designs and sets the type by hand, and his printer and apprentice who drive the presses, preserving the craft in its original mechanical glory.

What makes these products special?

• Authenticity. Every card, poster and stationery set is printed using real letterpress on uncoated stock, no shiny laminates, no shortcuts, just pure tactile quality.
• Heritage-meets-purpose. With roots tracing back over 150 years, the works are among the oldest continuously operated in the UK.
• Sustainable spirit. In recent years the team has moved towards using recycled cards and envelopes and eliminated cellophane packaging, so your purchase supports craft and conscious choices.
• Design with personality. The interplay of vintage typefaces, hand-set blocks and richly textured paper give each piece a distinctive look and feel, every item carries the fingerprint of the maker’s hand (and machine).

Why this matters for you

When you pick up one of the Robert Smail’s creations, you’re not just buying a card or a set of stationery, you’re acquiring a slice of history, a perfect little artisan object that stands out in a world of mass-printing. It’s a statement. It’s something to keep, to share, to gift. Whatever you choose, you get craftsmanship, story, integrity.