Craft Focus - April/May 2020 (Issue 78)

57 PROFILE royaltalens.com who work to discover and predict the latest trends whilst also working with customers to find out their requirements. We’re proud to have a product portfolio created by artists, for artists. What trends are you expecting to see this year? As a creative and art materials brand, we still believe that colour plays a huge role in the products that people choose. People want materials that catch the eye whilst having the option to display their personality. Of course, journaling continues to be popular as people step away from digital and move towards personalised preferences. From Royal Talens, our new Sakura Gelly Rolls and black/white sketchbooks, plus the extended addition of themed Ecoline Brush wallets will certainly create a storm this year. Portability is also key – people like to have materials they can grab when they’re on the commute, in a coffee shop or just out and about. You can never guess when creative inspiration will strike! How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking Royal Talens products? As a global business with a broad portfolio, we offer something for everyone. There’s not an artistic discipline that isn’t covered by our brands. Most of all, we are incredibly competitive on price without compromising on quality. Consumers know us worldwide, so regardless of the size or location of each business, footfall and sales are guaranteed. Do you offer marketing support for retailers? We offer support for any customer that may need it whether that be with marketing, shipping or general queries. We are here to assist in any capacity we can. We’re always looking to make the most of our partnerships and help retailers drive footfall, increase visibility and ensure sales. Our team are experienced marketers as well as artists, which means they understand the industry from both sides of the fence. Does the company exhibit at any shows? Yes, we recently exhibited at CHSI Stitches at the NEC and you’ll see us at the London Stationery Show. The latter is a really exciting opportunity for us and we’ll be working with Milly Withers of @ blinklettering who will be putting our products through their paces with two retailer workshops. Do you enjoy working in the craft industry? Yes – I graduated art school in the United States and marketed artists from the Royal Academy of Arts. This means I’m incredibly passionate about the arts, as well as materials. I have a great understanding of artists’ requirements and retailers’ needs, meaning I can adapt and offer support based on experience and industry knowledge. I love working in the industry as no two days the same and it’s exciting to be on the cusp of the next great trend. What’s coming up next for the company? Our year is just beginning with the launch of our new products and, as it stands, everything is gearing up for our appearance at the London Stationery Show. This year, we’re also working closely with WHSmith to create our very own brand shop, giving consumers another place to purchase Royal Talens products. There are always exciting things going on, whether that be consumer-facing shows, partnerships with artists, events and more.