National Stationery Week – May. 12, 2026

National Stationery Week
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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

Expected National Stationery Week Deals

As National Stationery Week approaches, expect major retailers and specialty stores to roll out exciting promotions. In previous years, brands like Paper Source, Moleskine, and Pilot Pen have offered discounts on journals, writing instruments, and art supplies. Look for deals from Staples, Office Depot, and online retailers like Amazon and JetPens on everything from notebooks to planners and craft kits. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 11 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Stationery Week

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalStationeryWeek. Share your favorite stationery hauls, aesthetic flat lays, or bullet journal spreads.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalStationeryWeek. Film satisfying ASMR videos of writing, unboxing new pens, or crafting with paper.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalStationeryWeek. Join community groups to share tips, show off your collection, or organize local meetups.

Social Media Tips for National Stationery Week

Individuals

Dedicate time this week to writing a letter, starting a new journal, or organizing your desk with fresh stationery. Rediscover the joy of putting pen to paper.

Creators

Host a live stream demonstrating different calligraphy styles, reviewing new stationery products, or creating a DIY greeting card using various supplies.

Brands

Launch a 'desk refresh' giveaway featuring your products, partner with stationery influencers for unboxing videos, or offer a special discount code for the week.

Top Brands for National Stationery Week

  1. Moleskine

    Founded in Italy, Moleskine is renowned for its iconic notebooks, diaries, and journals, inspired by the legendary notebooks used by artists and thinkers for two centuries. They offer a range of products for creative professionals and daily note-takers.

  2. Pilot Pen

    A leading Japanese pen manufacturer established in 1918, Pilot produces a wide array of writing instruments, including fountain pens, gel pens, and ballpoint pens. They are known for innovations like the Frixion erasable pen series.

  3. Paper Source

    Founded in 1983 in Chicago, Paper Source is a premier paperie and gift retailer offering fine papers, custom invitations, stationery, and crafting supplies. They also host workshops and classes for paper enthusiasts.

  4. Faber-Castell

    One of the world's largest and oldest manufacturers of pens, pencils, and art supplies, founded in 1761 in Germany. Faber-Castell is celebrated for its high-quality colored pencils, graphite pencils, and fine art materials.

  5. Leuchtturm1917

    A German brand that has been producing high-quality stationery since 1917, known for its notebooks with numbered pages, table of contents, and archival pockets. Their products are popular among bullet journal enthusiasts.

  6. Rhodia

    Originating in Lyon, France, in 1934, Rhodia is famous for its iconic orange and black notebooks and pads, featuring smooth, fountain pen-friendly paper. They are a favorite among writers and artists for their quality and design.

  7. Staedtler

    A German manufacturer of writing, drawing, and art materials, founded in 1835 by J.S. Staedtler. The company is known for its extensive range of pencils, pens, and markers, including the popular Mars Lumograph pencils.

National Stationery Week Hero

Alois Senefelder

Alois Senefelder (1771-1834) was a German actor and playwright who invented the printing technique of lithography in 1798. His innovation revolutionized the production of printed materials, including stationery, making it more accessible and diverse. Senefelder's work laid groundwork for modern mass production of paper goods.

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

1500 B.C.
The First Pair of Scissors

The Egyptians use the earliest form of scissors.

1827
The Fountain Pen

The French government patents the fountain pen invented by Petrache Poenaru.

1877
The Invention of the Stapler

Henry R. Heyl develops and patents the earliest form of the stapler.

1885
The Conductor’s Punch

Benjamin Smith patents a spring-loaded hole puncher that can collect paper clips inside.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Stationery Week

Local businesses can celebrate National Stationery Week by hosting creative workshops on calligraphy, bullet journaling, or card making. Retailers might offer special discounts on stationery supplies, bundle deals for back-to-office essentials, or partner with local artists for in-store demonstrations. Cafes could provide free stationery samples with purchases, encouraging customers to write or draw while enjoying their coffee.

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

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  1. Two billion pencils

    Faber-Castell produces over two billion pencils in a year.

  2. The origin of stationery

    The first stationery item was paper, and it was invented in China around 1,400 years ago.

  3. China produces the most pens

    China produces around 38 billion ballpoint pens per year.

  4. Drawing the line

    An average ballpoint pen can draw a line about 2.5 miles long.

  5. Eraser and bread crumbs

    Before rubber, people used to use bread crumbs to erase pencil marks.

Why We Love National Stationery Week

  1. 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!

  2. 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.

  3. 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