Helen Driscoll opened Fine Paper Co. in 1995. Located in Old Pasadena, The store was the first of its kind in the LA area - a retail venue in a high visibility area that re-introduced the forgotten art of fine papermaking to the general public. Before opening Fine Paper Co., Helen sold rare and antiquarian books to collectors and Hollywood elite for seven years. She wanted to bring the pre-industrial standard of quality back to the modern world.

Just off Colorado Blvd in historic Old Town Pasadena, the 3,000 square foot storefront kept its Arts & Crafts feel by being part shop and part workroom. Fine Paper Co. stocked thousands of different handmade and fine papers from all over the world.

Helen's rare book background provides a vast archive of inspiration for designs and applications. She joined a group of local rare book and print enthusiaists in 1996. Under the mentorship of Regis Graden of the Nut Quad Press, they taught themselves letterpress printing on Chandler & Price platen presses. Amazingly, all still have all the fingers they started with! The Clinker Press of André and Ann Chaves, the founders of the printing group, now produce two limited edition titles on the American Arts & Crafts movement, Greene & Greene and Stickley a year. Their book on the Arroyo Culture, is the first book printed on Dard Hunter III handmade paper.

In 1997, Scott Rubel and Helen became friends. Scott learned letterpress printing in the early 1980’s, when printers were giving presses and type away. He built his print shop so he could marry his love of lettering, wood-engraving and drawing. At he same time, he discovered the first Macintosh computer. Scott is one of the few printers who is as comfortable with 15th century technology as he is with Adobe Photoshop. Scott and Helen discovered their mutual love of books, hiking, the moon, dogs, oatmeal and soon, each other. They share a house, huge workload and four dogs and a ghost cat. Working together as independent companies for two years, Scott and Helen offically incorporated in 1999 under Averroes Corp.

Because there was no prototype, Fine Paper Co. grew through years of give-and-take exchanges with customers and artisans. Scott handled the letterpress printing and graphic design for custom printing and wedding invitations. Helen worked with customers creating unique and distinuished wedding ensembles. Most of the stationery and gift items were designed and made by us at Fine Paper or by artisan friends. Many customers have become friends.

Fine Paper won The LA Weekly's “Best of LA” in 1996, a much coveted award. The LA Times ran a color photo feature of Helen and Fine Paper in April, 1999, and a few more features since. In 2003 InviteSite was written about in Newsweek. Time Magazine ran a nice piece on InviteSite in 2005. 2008 sees more publicity in local sources like Pasadena Magazine and on the web business channel CNet with an interview of Helen Driscoll by Paul Ollinger.

Our wedding invitations have a very nice write-up in the “Bridal Bargains” book (3rd edition).

See more of our exposure here:

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