The Paperbag

We searched for a stationary store to do our invitations for our wedding which is coming up on Halloween and I am so glad that the Knot recommended the Paperbag in Allentown! Liz did a fantastic job on our save the dates, invitations and our table placement cards. We will also be getting out thank you cards from her! Not only did we receive everything exactly as we ordered it, but being that Liz has so many years of experience doing this she gave us great advice on dates for sending out the save the dates and invitations, on how to word things we weren’t sure of, and even a few bits of advice on other things wedding related. We will definitely use the Paperbag again next time we need something stationary like.

This is a difficult review to write, as I feel Liz and Adelle (?) are very talented and knowledgeable and work hard and are probably in a challenging small business dilemma of balancing headcount with growth but remaining profitable.
Unfortunately my one and only interaction didn’t leave me anxious to return.
I am writing this review to provide an honest feedback to both the owners (although none of this should be news to them) and to potential customers.
The problems I encountered were:
1) The hours are not very convenient if you work during the week (10A-​6P four days a week, open until 7P on Thursday, except that isn’t always the case and the website didn’t reflect that), Sat 10 – 4.
2) Their location is on Hamilton across from Dorney Park — NIGHTMARE driving during the summer hours on Saturday. And note with #1 I didn’t have much option.
3) Again, due to #1 and maybe #2, Saturday was so busy and with a staff of 2 it was hard to get juggled in — allow more time.
4) Didn’t do what they said they would (specifically, said they would call, didn’t — that is just a customer service issue that I detest and as a consumer makes me not want to give a company repeat business). I did give them not one but two gentle reminders about what they said they were going do and they created their own timeline of when they would get back to me, but missed both of them.
5) I paid in full prior to receiving the invitations. (to be fair — not at their request) and I wish I hadn’t as the end product wasn’t exactly right (again, to be fair, product was OK — far from a disaster). If we had more time it would have been fixed but due to reasons #1 and #2, time was no longer an option for me. And again, to be fair, they did offer a small partial refund but only AFTER owner said (twice) that she would call me about it but didn’t, so I contacted the printing company directly. If I hadn’t done that, I can’t say if that refund would have been offered since she never followed up with me.
I would not hesitate to send business to them if you are flexible and can move at a relaxed pace. Their selection is great and they know their product and business.

This is the best high end stationery store in the Lehigh Valley. Liz, the owner, is friendly, prompt, knowledgeable, and loves what she does. I have ordered personalized stationery, graduation announcements, and greeting cards through her. Always the best!

One of the few actual stationery stores in the Valley. They offer wedding invitations, gift wrap and tons of stationery and cards. One of the few places in the Valley that offer Crane & Co. Stationery.
They had quite a bit of Crane’s (though not what I was looking for), and they’ll order anything from them for you with a minimum order of 6 boxes. The staff was friendly, but I think they are in the process of redecorating or remodeling, as there were lots of shelves down and some empty areas.
If you want something particular from Crane’s, I’d call before you go.