Impress Ink on Etsy
Oh, what? What’s that? Thanks for asking. It’s “Meet an Expert” day here at the WPE headquarters. We want you to know about amazingness. What do we have here? A bit of amazingness, that’s what we have. Chi-zeck out our friend Shannon, owner of Impress Ink.
- Impress Ink is a special event stationery company which is independently owned and operated by Shannon Funkenbusch with the help of her husband Dax.
- Why do you like working with engaged couples? or Where does your passion for weddings come from? I enjoy working with engaged couples because their enthusiasm is so contagious. Nothing makes me happier than hearing them rave about how my work has helped to make their special day extra special. I’ve always had a passion for creativity and design but my passion for weddings was a surprise to even me. I believe weddings let people bend the rules of style in ways that they wouldn’t do every day and really push their vision to the limits.
- What type of weddings/couples do you typically work with? I work with clients nationwide for weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, you name it. I’ve fulfilled stationery orders for events as small as 25 and some as large as 350 or more. I’ve done invitations for weddings that range in formality from super casual, outdoor weddings to very formal, black tie events. I work mostly with brides but I love it when grooms get involved too. I’m noticing more and more guys are stepping up to be involved in the planning of their own weddings and they always have such refreshing ideas and really think outside of the box. With the steps Washington State is taking to legalize same-sex marriage, I expect to see an increase in same-sex couples looking for top-notch wedding stationery as well.
- What insider tip do you wish all engaged couples would know? Other than the typical rant about choosing your stationery designer carefully because it’s your guest’s first impression of your wedding, and all that “you get what you pay for” stuff …here’s a really useful tip for avoiding the most dreadful part of sending out invitation: envelope sealing! I’m reminded of that Seinfeld episode where George’s fiancé dies from having to lick all the glue on the envelopes. Do yourself and your tongue a favor and get a glue stick! It’s like a double-duty sealer…it moistens the adhesive already on the envelope and provides an extra bit of stickiness. Plus, it won’t saturate and wrinkle your paper like using a sponge dipped in water will.
- Spill it. Give us more. What have we not asked that we should know about you? I have a background and education in design but not stictly stationery design. I went to college for Architecture but I’ve been designing buildings pretty much since I could draw a straight line. Impress Ink was born at the bottom of a recession, when the bottom fell out of the building industry and a degree in architecture no longer had any value to employers. It was then that I learned how versatile design skills are and that basic design principles can transcend all mediums, from buildings to paper, the essentials are the same. This is a business built on paper, ink, and a passion for good design. Also, we’re adding a LETTERPRESS option later this year that will be done in-house on our very own letterpress!
- What TV show do you NEVER miss an episode of? There are so many to choose from! Netflix has made keeping up with shows so much easier. At the top of my list you’ll find shows like Dexter, Bones, Community, Big Bang Theory, and Raising Hope.
- What is your favorite drink? I’m constantly teased for having a gallon size jug of cranberry juice in my fridge. Don’t tease! I just think it tastes good.
- What celebrity would you marry if you could? Denzel Washington. Can that man make a bad movie? I think not.
Shannon - Impress Ink
wedding preview event 