Founded in 2002, Smudge Ink is a Boston-based design company run by two women: Kate Saliba and Deb Bastien.

A working letterpress studio, Smudge Ink is located in a renovated textile factory on the Mystic River in historic Charlestown, Massachusetts (a section of Boston) with impressive views of the Tobin Bridge and Bunker Hill Monument.

Originally focused on bold, colorful letterpress-printed greeting cards and custom invitations, Smudge Ink’s product line has expanded to include calendars, gift wrap, and offset-printed greeting cards, all of which reflect the same style and vibrancy Smudge Ink has become known for.

The Smudge Ink team

Amidst the talented and committed team that keeps the business going strong, we boast: An expert in random trivia (do you know all the names of the presidential pets?) who writes a blog from her dog’s point-of-view • a lover of all representational animal imagery who’s also a seasoned portrait artist • a band-aid loving shop manager who loves to ski and has her very own card line • a super soccer playin’ long islander • a trained violinist who plays in a circus band, has a contagious laugh and loves to go out cajun dancing • an “I’ll-just-whip-up-that-pie-for-you-no-problem” baker who’s also an historic preservation junkie • an obsessed gardener who talks to her plants and can’t stand clutter • a super smart, soon-to-be married custom wedding manager who knows Facebook like the back of her hand • and the friendliest UPS driver ever.

Other random bits

Every Tuesday is gluten free treat day, when one staff member tries her hand at baking some sort of treat – often successfully.

Favorite Smudge Ink T.V. shows: American Idol, Friday Night Lights, The Office, Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock, Modern Family, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire.

Places we dream of traveling to: Cuba, Ireland, Australia, Patagonia, Italy, New Zealand.

Smudge Ink welcomes (and spoils) all dogs, kids and moms. Actually, moms are less spoiled than they are used for free labor and plants (thanks Abby and Deb).

Environmental Statement:

Smudge Ink is committed to minimizing its short and long-term impact on the environment. We use between 30-100% post consumer recycled paper and envelopes for all wholesale and custom products. Much of our printing is wind powered using soy inks, and all of our polymer plates are recycled at the end of their lifespan. We take pride in recycling and reusing almost everything in our working studio.

Setting up in New York at the  National Stationery Show 2011

In the throws of Vandercook repair