Ohh Deer Interviews: Paper Tiger

With over 40 years of experience, Paper Tiger is a brilliant place to find design-led cards, stationery and gift products from new and established Edinburgh and UK-based artists.

We asked Michael Apter, owner and buyer, to give us the lowdown on the place known for contemporary cards, innovative gift ideas and all-round exciting stationery that has grown into a brand with multiple locations.

So Michael, to kick us off can you introduce us to Paper Tiger? 

Paper Tiger was established in Edinburgh in 1981 and for many years was part of the Studio One group of companies in Edinburgh. We sell cards, stationery, wraps, and gifts, with an eye for great design and fair prices. 

What do you find so attractive about the greeting card and stationery industry? 

It is a fast-moving market with innovative illustrators, designers and makers. The constant stream of new designers and new designs means that retailers and consumers have a huge choice. Our job at Paper Tiger is to bring the very best that we can find to our stores. 

We’ve seen your post about trade shows and we personally attend somewhere between 6 and 8 shows annually. Is there a trade show you never miss? 

Top Drawer in January has historically been the key trade show for us and Spring Fair is also essential. 

From the other side of the working relationship, Paper Tiger come across as really organised. How far ahead do you typically plan your buying cycles? 

Christmas planning for the 2023 season began on the 27th of December last year…

Okay, so very well organised! What are you most excited about for Paper Tiger in the near future?

Customers and shoppers are still shopping and supporting independent businesses. We’re buzzing about the response to our new store in Morningside, and we are delighted to see shoppers and visitors returning to Edinburgh City Centre in greater numbers than before the pandemic.

Talking of Morningside, this is a new location for Paper Tiger. How has it been so far and what has the response been like?

It’s still early days but we love the new shop and the response from our customers - people are genuinely delighted to have us on their doorstep.

What great news! Best of luck with the new location, we’ll be watching from afar. As a supplier of Paper Tiger, how would you describe Ohh Deer?

Committed to design.

And finally, if you don’t mind, do you have a favourite Ohh Deer product? 

I like the football card for my son - I help to coach my son’s team and gave him that card for his birthday!

You can find out more about Paper Tiger here and visit their Instagram @shoppapertiger

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