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National Stationery Week celebrates the enduring charm of pens, paper, and creative supplies from May 11-17, 2026. This week-long observance invites us to rediscover the tactile pleasure of writing, drawing, and organizing in a digital world. Explore new journals, experiment with colorful inks, and embrace the art of handwritten notes.
Want to sponsor National Stationery Week? Learn how
History of National Stationery Week
Would there be a time when writing, drawing, and crafting become obsolete due to the development of digital technology? We already use mobile phones and computers for most of our work. But that does not mean we will forget the beautiful stationery that we love to keep. National Stationery Week is here to remind us of the beautiful memories of playing with vibrant colors, bold pencils, fragrant books, and a lot more.
Our passion for scribbling started during the dawn of human evolution. We made art out of pretty much everything. We decorated caves with drawings, we developed vocabulary, spoken language, simple symbol-based scripts, and complex languages. We also discovered pen and paper! Technically speaking, paper and the tools we used to inscribe symbols on various surfaces were the ancestors of stationary.
We loved stationery from our early childhood. The euphoria we felt when we got a new pen or book during our childhood was unexplainable. Chris Leonard Morgan might have felt the same when he launched National Stationery Day in 2013. It is evident that people love stationery, so much so that Morgan had to expand Stationery Day into a National Stationery Week the following year. The campaign was aimed at promoting the importance of stationery in everyday life. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a bag and let us shop for some new books and pens!
National Stationery Week timeline
The Egyptians use the earliest form of scissors.
The French government patents the fountain pen invented by Petrache Poenaru.
Henry R. Heyl develops and patents the earliest form of the stapler.
Benjamin Smith patents a spring-loaded hole puncher that can collect paper clips inside.
National Stationery Week FAQs
When is National Stationery Week?
In 2026, National Stationery Week runs Monday, May 11 through Sunday, May 17, inviting enthusiasts to celebrate the art of writing and paper crafts.
How popular is stationery today?
Despite the digital age, the global stationery market was valued at approximately $150 billion in 2025, demonstrating a strong, enduring demand for physical writing and art supplies.
What are some popular stationery trends?
Current trends include bullet journaling, which combines planning and creative expression, as well as the resurgence of fountain pens and high-quality paper. Sustainable and eco-friendly stationery options are also gaining significant traction.
Who started National Stationery Week?
National Stationery Week was launched in the UK in 2013 by the Stationery Show London to promote the stationery industry and encourage the joy of writing and paper products. It has since gained international recognition.
National Stationery Week Activities
Buy some fresh stock
The first thing to do is buy some of the latest trending products. Make sure to buy colors and thermocol; we will need them for our next activities. Go with your friends and make it one of the best shopping experiences!
Make crafts with thermocol
We hope you did not forget the thermocol we mentioned. Build your favorite bird with it. You can find some amazing ideas and methods online.
Create a painting
Use this moment to bring out the Picasso in of you. Draw the best mountain and house images with a sunset and a few birds flying. Please make sure to donate the products once you are finished.
5 Important Facts About Popular Stationery
Two billion pencils
Faber-Castell produces over two billion pencils in a year.
The origin of stationery
The first stationery item was paper, and it was invented in China around 1,400 years ago.
China produces the most pens
China produces around 38 billion ballpoint pens per year.
Drawing the line
An average ballpoint pen can draw a line about 2.5 miles long.
Eraser and bread crumbs
Before rubber, people used to use bread crumbs to erase pencil marks.
Why We Love National Stationery Week
There is always something new
Manufacturers are flooding the stationery market with innovative products. It is always good to be on the lookout for the latest trends and useful tools. We all need some stationery at some point!
Rekindle the joy of writing
Most of us are losing the ability to write with our hands. Most of us have replaced writing with typing. This week, try to rekindle that lost spark and write a short story.
We love to support local traders
Purchasing stationery from the nearby store is a good way to support local businesses. Most local shopkeepers can get you a discount if you purchase regularly from them.
National Stationery Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 12–18 | Monday–Sunday |
