In the heart of England, a fourth-generation family printing business is quite literally planting the seeds of change in the luxury stationery and corporate gifting world. SeedPrint, based in Leicester, has transformed the concept of paper waste by creating beautiful, handcrafted paper products embedded with wildflower seeds that can be planted after use.
A Legacy of Print Innovation
The story of SeedPrint begins with Thomas Willday, who represents the fourth generation of his family to run Willday Printers. With over a century of printing expertise behind them, the Willday family has witnessed the evolution of the printing industry through dramatic technological changes and shifting consumer preferences.
“We’ve always been innovators,” explained a spokesperson on behalf of SeedPrint. “But as environmental concerns became more pressing, we knew we needed to reimagine what paper products could be in a world increasingly conscious of waste.”
The Seed of an Idea
The concept for SeedPrint emerged from a desire to address a fundamental problem in the printing industry: what happens to paper products after they’ve served their primary purpose? Traditional paper items, from business cards to wedding invitations, typically end their lifecycle in recycling bins or, worse, landfills.
SeedPrint’s innovative approach transforms this end-of-life journey into a beginning. By embedding wildflower seeds into handmade recycled paper, each product can be planted, watered, and grown into a vibrant array of flowers that support local pollinators.
It’s a perfect marriage of function and sustainability that has resonated particularly well with clients seeking meaningful ways to elevate their brand experience while demonstrating environmental responsibility.
Craftsmanship Meets Sustainability
What distinguishes SeedPrint in the market is its unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Each piece of seed paper is handmade from fully recycled materials, resulting in products with unique variations in texture and shade. There’s an authenticity about what they produce that’s hard to describe.
The paper-making process itself is an art form that combines traditional techniques with environmental innovation. Recycled paper is transformed into pulp before wildflower seeds are carefully integrated. The resulting sheets, ranging from 200 to 300 gsm in thickness, provide an exceptional printing surface while maintaining their ability to germinate when planted.
British Craftsmanship with Global Impact
As a proudly British company, SeedPrint maintains complete control over its manufacturing process, ensuring exceptional quality while supporting the local economy. Their location in Leicester, which is at the geographic center of England, allows them to serve clients throughout the UK with minimal environmental impact from transportation.
The environmental benefits extend beyond the paper itself. When planted, SeedPrint products support crucial pollinator populations, contributing to biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. In an era when pollinator decline threatens global food security, these small patches of wildflowers represent meaningful ecological contributions.
The Future of Luxury Paper
Looking ahead, SeedPrint continues to innovate at the intersection of luxury and sustainability. The company’s recently launched bespoke service means customers can get a truly personalised product, and they are exploring new seed varieties.
In transforming waste into wonder, this is a family business that has found its place in the future of sustainable luxury.
