Toolpress is a design and printing studio based in Seoul, founded and run by sisters Na Kyungin and Na Kyungsoo. Kakimori and Toolpress have been long-time partners, ever since we began as a small stationery shop 15 years ago.
The sisters are passionate about handwork, printing and traditional crafts that are slowly disappearing in both Japan and South Korea. Their work centres around paper, using processes like letterpress printing to create their original designs.
Toolpress greeting cards and paper goods have been part of our collection for nearly 15 years. In 2023, we invited them to exhibit a series of designs for hanji — traditional Korean paper at the heart of their creative practice.
Despite our long-term connection, this marks our first collaboration on original products. To celebrate 15 years of friendship, we invited Toolpress to design an exclusive writing set, along with notebook covers for our order-made collection.
Through a series of online meetings, and even a visit to our shop in Kuramae, we developed two prints perfect for the spring/summer season. Each captures Toolpress’s unique storytelling and philosophy, bringing a sense of joy at every glance.
Spring bird
동박새가 찾아와 스프링에 앉은
이유는 봄이기 때문에.
아슬아슬해보여도 버틸 수 있는 것은
서로 마주보고 있기 때문에
A pair of Japanese white-eyes
perched on a spring.
Though delicately balanced,
their gaze on one another keeps them steady.
Magician
봄을 부르는 나비는 우리에게 날아와 날개를 펼치고
잉크는 마법처럼 꽃을 피워주었다.
전하고 싶은 소식도 같은 색으로 물들어있으니
봄은 가까이 있었구나
The butterfly that summons spring came and spread its wings,
magically bringing flowers to bloom from ink.
As my message took on the same hues,
I knew that spring must be near.
These two charming designs feature on a small writing set and on the covers for our order-made notebooks.
The writing set includes small cards and envelopes, presented in a dedicated box adorned with the artwork, designed to be kept and repurposed as a storage box.
Brightly coloured envelopes with windows complement the card design, offering a glimpse of the whimsical birds and flowers inside, ready to deliver your message.
For the notebook covers, the designs have been printed onto fabric to showcase Toolpress’s typically paper-based work in a more durable material. These seasonal, limited-edition covers are now available in-store and online.
Created with joy, to inspire writing with joy — this collaboration across the sea with one of our oldest partners has been truly memorable for us. We invite you to take a closer look at the collection in-store, online and at our stockists.
