Answers to common questions about ordering our handmade deckle edge paper and envelopes online, including shipping, returns, and import VAT.
For information with bespoke stationery or full-size paper, please read our guide to placing an offline order with us.
Our factory is open and we are currently accepting and shipping orders via the following shipping methods:
In order to keep our staff and your orders safe, the following measures are in place within our factory:
We make 7 sizes from place card up to A4, with select paper sizes accompanied by a deckle-edge triangle-point envelope. Our full list of sizes are available to see in our size guide which also shows the proportions between sizes.
Our "A"-sizes refer to the ISO paper size standard and not the US announcement paper size convention.
We make 8 colours including White, Ivory, Blush, and Dark Green. Our full list of colours are available to browse in our online catalogue.
If you are unfamiliar with paper weights a good way to compare the difference between these numbers is with normal printer paper which you may have at home. Normal printer paper is around 60gsm, so 150gsm paper is just over twice as thick and our 210gsm paper is just over 3 sheets of printer paper.
To feel the different weights yourself, we recommend picking up a small sample of each to give you a chance to feel the weight and texture of both.
As our paper is made by hand, there is an inherent variance of ±20% in the thickness between pieces.
No, our envelopes and paper are sold separately, allowing you to mix and match different colours and weights if required.
There are some differences in our pieces due to the traditional hand paper-making techniques used to make our paper.
There can be a variation in size, weight (±20%), and even colour shade between individual pieces due to a number of factors, such as the consistency of the pulp when lifting each sheet, the felts we use on a particular batch, the pressure used when pressing, and the humidity of the air when the pieces dry. Each factor causes slight variance in its own way. As such, all sizes, weights, and colours are approximate.
While we do try to control these factors, there will still be variation in the finished pieces which has been known to cause problems for very traditional print-makers who are new to handmade paper.
We are always exploring new shades, so if you are looking for a colour which we don't currently offer please get in touch with us to see if it's something we're already working on.
There are two main chemicals used in our papermaking:
Custom sizes are available but unfortunately have a high minimum order quantity, a custom equipment manufacture charge, and a lead-time of a few months.
We recommend viewing our sizes to check whether we make a size which suits your need.
Yes, our paper is suitable for hand calligraphy. Our internal sizing and finish provide a fine-tooth to our pieces, making the texture nib-friendly.
If you are using our paper for the first time, we do recommend picking up a small sample of pieces in order to try your specific inks and nibs.
Yes, our paper is suitable for digital printing and we recommend using an inkjet printer.
Yes, our paper is suitable for letterpress, however we recommend our thicker grade of 210gsm pieces. Our 210gsm pieces can come up thicker, sometimes up to 300gsm, making them the better option for letterpress.
Yes, our internal sizing and finish will accommodate light watercolour, however we do not recommend our paper for heavy or wet paint work.
If you are using our paper for the first time, we do recommend trying samples of pieces in order to try your specific paints and techniques.
For customers looking to sample our paper we offer small sets of 5 pieces for each colour, grade, and size that we make.
Rather than provide a quote for our core range of paper we recommend visiting our online shop where you can see our full range on display with prices and up-to-date stock availability.
We advise browsing our shop on a desktop so you can see the full menu of sizes, colours, and grades on the left-hand side.
We have tiered pricing where a discount is applied as the quantity of your order increases. The tiers are:
Customers looking to order at wholesale volume can do so online using our tiered pricing mentioned above.
For regular customers frequently ordering large quantities the following additional concessions are available:
These savings are based on previous completed orders from the last 90 days, previous purchases can be for any colour, size, or grade. When your account qualifies for a saving the discount is automatically applied to our online prices and is shown in your basket.
If you live in a country with a low customs duty and VAT/GST threshold (also known as De Minimis import values) and your order will be shipping with DHL, DHL will pay the duty and VAT/GST on your behalf at the point of import and will then send you an invoice to be reimbursed, they may also include an administration fee.
We strongly advise checking the import duty and VAT/GST thresholds for your country before placing an order to avoid a surprise import duty or VAT/GST bill. Countries in the EU typically have a low threshold before applying VAT whereas other countries, such as the United States and Australia, are more generous allowing orders of a higher value through without charge.
It typically takes around 3 weeks to make up a new batch of a particular colour – that includes the whole papermaking process of beating the pulp, lifting the sheets, drying, calendaring, and sorting, as well as preparing finished packs ready for despatch.
If a particular piece is out of stock, you may see "Available in 3 weeks" next to a pack size, this means we are currently out of stock and are in the process of making a new batch of pieces. The 3 week leadtime could actually be shorter as we may be in the final stages of a new batch which could end up being ready in around 1 week or even less.
If your order is time sensitive and you need out of stock pieces urgently, contact us and we will provide you with an up-to-date time frame and do what we can to prioritise your order.
Due to the additional shipping costs involved, we are unable to split an order which is waiting for a fresh batch. If you require some pieces before others, we recommend placing separate orders.
Yes, for international customers with orders over US$75/€65/£55 we offer free shipping via DHL's Express Worldwide service.
If you opted for the standard post (Airmail) shipping option we'd be happy to send you a replacement free of charge, but before we do, often a few extra days is all the parcel needs in order to appear. Please also note that a standard post shipment requires a signature on delivery, so it may be at your nearest post office. A surprising number of shipments are returned to us as "uncollected" despite the customer not receiving a notice to collect it. Drop us a line if it still hasn't arrived 21 days after the shipping date and after having checked in at your local post office. Please be sure to get in touch with us via the website you placed your order from in order to help us identify your order.
If your pieces were shipped to you via DHL or Bluedart, we advise you to contact DHL/Bluedart with your tracking number for an update. For some EU countries such as Greece, there is a chance DHL require additional information from you before they can clear your shipment for delivery.
For standard post (Airmail) shipments, it is not possible to track the progress of the delivery. DHL and Bluedart shipments can be tracked via the DHL/Bluedart website using your tracking code.
If your order hasn't yet shipped we can update your shipping address for you – simply drop us a line via email.
If your order has shipped it is only possible to change your address if it shipped via DHL – you will need to contact DHL with your tracking number to do so, please note you may face a charge for the change.
If you are unhappy with your pieces, or made a mistake with your order, you are more than welcome to return them back to us within 30 days of receiving your order. However, please note that we cannot offer free returns. When returning your pieces, please package them up securely and return them to us at:
SAHMP
50 S.V. Patel Salai
Pondicherry
India
605001
Please be aware of the following requirements: