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Wednesday, 02 February 2011 12:04 PM America/New_York

Abbey Press makes eco-friendly stationery

Abbey Press has launched a new stationery line intended to encourage people to slow down and save the planet.

“Snailspace” is a line of items made from ecologically friendly, 100% recycled paper by the monks at St. Meinrad Archabbey, a Benedictine monastery in rural Indiana.

Originally produced as a fund-raising opportunity for churches, “Snailspace” was introduced to retailers at AmericasMart. It includes gift tags and bags, magnetic to-do pads and general correspondence, Mother's and Father's Day, thank-you, Christmas and sympathy cards. Scrapbooking paper is also among the 150 SKUs.

“We wanted to get back to our roots,” said National Sales Director Sue Ann Kloeck of the abbey, which has produced inspirational gifts for more than 40 years. “Our roots are in printing and we wanted to get back to USA-made and designed products.”

“Snailspace” was also intended to celebrate God's creation by caring for the future of the environment and also encouraging people to slow down and take time to hand-write cards to others, rather than using electronic communication.

Kloeck said that the $3 retail price for the cards was “right in line with the market, especially with its eco-friendly attributes. All items in the line have been accredited by environmental protection agencies. “Everything from the shipping box to the tape is ecologically friendly,” she said.