About Us
Our Promise & Values
At Paperblanks, we create products that inspire creativity, empower expression and celebrate special moments.
An homage to art and culture, our line of journals and creative tools sparks the imagination by offering a connection to artists and cultural movements from all eras and regions. Expression has no limits with Paperblanks.
Inspiring
Creativity
With a variety of products, formats and interiors, we provide the tools to unleash the creativity already inside you.
Empowering Individuality
Express your individual style and personality through the covers you choose and what you create inside the pages.
Celebrating Moments
Our high-quality journals create a precious moment of reflection and can be cherished for a lifetime.
Honouring Heritage
Each design’s history connects your personal experience to a wider artistic or cultural tradition.
Caring for Our World
Through the Hartley & Marks Social Responsibility program, we contribute to a diverse range of local and international charitable organizations.
What Drives Us?
“The joy for me is in making beautiful books that people use as a creative tool in their personal lives.”
- Victor L. Marks,Founder & CEO
What Inspires Our Designs?
“The ‘wow factor’ is experiencing the space beyond mind…
Taking people there is what we call success.”
Artistic Director & Vice President
Where We Began
The Paperblanks journey begins with a simple desire – to find the perfect everyday journal.
In the early 1990s, Vic Marks, a writer and publisher looking to create the perfect notebook, connected with Supriti Bharma, a lifelong learner looking to play with new forms of artistic and spiritual expression. The creative chemistry between these two seekers was instant. They shared a desire to express, to travel, to learn new traditions and discover new truths about themselves. And together they created that special journal Vic envisioned, which became the first Paperblanks product in 1992.
Vic and Supriti’s creative energies, and gusto for experimentation, propelled them to continue beyond that first notebook and the Paperblanks brand has grown organically ever since. From our first office in the urban Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver, Canada, to expanding into our European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, we’ve travelled the world to follow our passion. People have joined the Paperblanks family from all walks of life and corners of the world, with their unique histories, independent voices and diverse cultures bringing new ideas and perspectives to our company.
Throughout it all, our founders’ original sense of curiosity, discovery and self-expression has never waned. In fact, it guides every decision we make. With every new experience we bring back the art, stories and cultural traditions that have been shared with us. Our design library echoes our personal ethos: always evolving, always open.
So, while what we do is make journals, that’s not who we are. Paperblanks is a mosaic of diverse, passionate and dedicated individuals around the world. What joins us is a commitment to create beautiful, high-quality objects that bring joy to all who experience them. It’s not only our journals that make us unique – it’s our passion. It’s our perseverance. It’s our people.
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1992 - We launch our first Paperblanks collection from Vancouver, our Canadian hometown
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1995 - We introduce Literary Manuscripts, an early precursor to our Embellished Manuscripts and Old Leather Collections
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2002 - Paperblanks launches in Europe
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2002 - We add magnetic wrap closures as a feature
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2004 - We open our European headquarters in Dublin
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2005 - We expand beyond journals, offering planners and address books for the first time
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2010 - Our first metal clasp closure is introduced on Leonardo’s Sketches covers
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2011 - We first use ornamental book edge printing
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2014 - The Bridge & Enrich Lives Society opens to our Vancouver community
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2017 - We celebrate Paperblanks' 25th birthday with a special Anniversary Edition journal
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2018 - We introduce pencil cases to our collection
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2018 - We launch our line of dot-grid planners for the bullet journalling community
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2019 - We introduce a new look for Paperblanks, with an updated logo and unique icon
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2020 - We introduce our first set of Filing & Storage solutions
What’s Next for Paperblanks?
We’re so inspired by the expressive and creative ways journallers and artists like you share your unique style and reveal personal truths. That’s why we’re always seeking new ways to delight and inspire with the products we offer.
Coming up this year, we will be expanding our selection to include a unique new line of stationery and fashion accessories. We are also collaborating with The New York Public Library and the Getty Museum on some exciting new products!
If you have an idea for a future Paperblanks product, please get in touch! You can connect with us on social media or use the form built into our Contact Us page.
