Stationery Shows You Can’t Miss in 2025

As a stationery designer, trade shows are like your backstage pass to the industry—they’re so much more than setting up a booth and watching foot traffic go by. These events are where relationships are started, trends take shape, and your brand gets its spotlight moment. So, whether your goal is to expand into new markets, land wholesale accounts, or simply stay ahead of industry trends, trade shows are one of the best ways to make it happen.

Below is a comprehensive list of the best stationery and gift shows from March through December 2025, plus a few tips and tricks for trade show success. If you want to grow in the stationery industry, trade shows are the place to be. Learn which ones are best for you and how to make the most of your time there.

Upcoming Stationery Trade Shows (March–December 2025)

1. Dallas Market Center

Dates: March 25–28, 2025
Location: Dallas, Texas
Website: Total Home & Gift Market

The Dallas Market Center is a top-tier destination for gift and home markets. The March 2025 Total Home & Gift Market offers an excellent platform to introduce your stationery designs to retailers seeking unique and trend-forward products.

Why Attend: This is a key hub for stationery designers looking to connect with southern and midwestern retailers. Its permanent showrooms allow buyers to browse and order products year-round, offering extended exposure beyond market week. This makes it an ideal venue for building lasting wholesale relationships.

2. AmericasMart Atlanta (Summer Market)

Dates: July 15–21, 2025
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Website: AmericasMart

AmericasMart is one of the largest wholesale trade centers in the world, featuring a wide range of exhibitors, including many stationery brands. The event brings together retailers, brands, and buyers from across the U.S.

Why Attend?
This trade show is a prime opportunity to connect with southern retailers, from small boutiques to national chains. With trend insights, merchandising inspiration, and educational sessions, it’s perfect for expanding your brand. Plus, its location also makes it a key hub for southeast buyers.

3. Las Vegas Market (Summer Edition)

Dates: July 27–31, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Website: Las Vegas Market

Las Vegas Market is a major home, gift, and stationery trade show that draws buyers from independent boutiques to major national chains.

Why Attend?
This event offers access to a diverse mix of buyers on the west coast. Its dedicated Gift and Stationery section showcases upcoming trends, making it a great place to launch new designs. The networking events also create opportunities to connect with industry leaders.

4. Noted: The Greeting Card Expo

Dates: July 27–30, 2025
Location: World Market Center, Las Vegas, NV
Website: Noted Expo

Noted is a specialized event for greeting cards and paper products. This show provides an intimate setting for networking and making industry connections.

Why Attend?
For greeting card designers, this is the must-attend event of the year, bringing together independent makers and large-scale distributors.

5. NY NOW (Summer Market)

Dates: August 3–5, 2025
Location: Javits Center, New York City, NY
Website: NY NOW

NY NOW is one of the biggest lifestyle and gift markets in the U.S., featuring a dedicated stationery section.

Why Attend?
As a top destination for stationery designers to connect with high-end boutiques, museum shops, and specialty retailers, this event provides high visibility for your products. With a focus on design-driven products, it’s an ideal place to show off trend-forward stationery. Its location also attracts a diverse mix of buyers and industry influencers.

6. Shoppe Object

Dates: August 3–5, 2025
Location: New York City, NY
Website: Shoppe Object

Shoppe Object is a curated trade show that emphasizes design-forward brands in home goods, lifestyle, and stationery.

Why Attend?
This is a curated show where retailers seek independent, high-quality brands. Its intimate setting makes it ideal for building relationships with these upscale retailers.

7. CADEAUX Leipzig

Dates: March 1–3, 2025
Location: Leipzig, Germany
Website: CADEAUX Leipzig

CADEAUX Leipzig is one of Europe’s premier trade fairs for gifts, lifestyle products, and stationery. It attracts an international audience of retailers, distributors, and designers looking for trend-forward, high-quality products.

Why Attend?
This show is ideal for stationery designers who want to expand their business into the European market. Exhibitors can connect with European retailers and distributors looking for new and fresh stationery products.

8. China Ningbo International Stationery Fair

Dates: March 19–21, 2025
Location: Ningbo, China
Website: Ningbo Stationery Fair

The China Ningbo International Stationery Fair is one of Asia’s most significant trade shows for office supplies, paper goods, greeting cards, and other stationery items. This event offers a massive marketplace for manufacturers, designers, and retailers.

Why Attend?
For those looking to enter or expand in the Asian stationery market, this fair provides some of the best networking opportunities with both local and international buyers.

The Role of Online Platforms

While in-person trade shows provide invaluable networking opportunities, online wholesale platforms are essential for maintaining year-round retail connections. Here are the top five online wholesale marketplaces to consider:

1. Faire

Website: Faire
Faire is one of the largest and most well-established B2B marketplaces, connecting independent retailers with unique brands across various categories, including stationery, home goods, and gifts. It offers risk-free purchasing with free returns, net 60 payment terms, and an intuitive platform for discovering new products.

Why Use Faire?

• One of the most widely used wholesale platforms for independent brands
• Offers marketing tools, data insights, and financing options for retailers

2.  Abound

Website: Abound
Abound is a curated wholesale marketplace designed to help small brands grow by connecting them with independent retailers. It emphasizes supporting new designers and provides personalized recommendations for buyers.

Why Use Abound?

• No upfront fees for brands to join
• Net 60 terms and free returns for retailers
• Focuses on indie brands and handmade goods

3. Tundra

Website: Tundra
Tundra eliminates transaction fees, making it a cost-effective alternative for brands and retailers. It focuses on direct relationships between brands and buyers while offering bulk order discounts.

Why Use Tundra?

• No commission or transaction fees for sellers
• Competitive pricing and direct ordering
• Strong focus on the U.S. and Canadian markets

4. Ankorstore

Website: Ankorstore
Ankorstore is a fast-growing European wholesale marketplace connecting brands with retailers across France, Germany, the UK, and other European markets. It provides flexible payment options and a well-curated selection of high-end products.

Why Use Ankorstore?

• A strong option for brands looking to expand into European markets
• Offers a streamlined platform with payment flexibility
• Features a curated selection of high-quality products

5. Handshake

Website: Handshake
Owned by Shopify, Handshake is an integrated wholesale marketplace for brands and retailers already using Shopify. It provides a seamless experience for e-commerce businesses looking to add wholesale operations.

Why Use Handshake?

• Best for brands already using Shopify
• Seamless integration with Shopify’s ecosystem for easy inventory management
• A growing marketplace with an emphasis on independent brands

If you're diving into the world of wholesale, Faire is hands down the biggest name in the game. But it’s not the only one. Abound and Tundra are great alternatives, especially if you want lower costs and fewer fees, while Ankorstore is best for brands expanding into Europe. Already on Shopify? Handshake can help you streamline your wholesale operations. But your best bet is to diversify across some of these different platforms to reach a broader audience.

While it’s clear that online marketplaces can help keep your products in front of retailers year-round, nothing beats the hands-on experience of in-person trade shows. To make the most of these events, dive into some key strategies to help you turn trade show opportunities into long-term partnerships.

Tips for Success at Trade Shows

Attending a trade show is about creating an experience that draws people in, builds connections, and ultimately, grows your business. Whether it’s your first time exhibiting or you’re a seasoned pro, here’s how to make the most of your time on the trade show floor.

Booth Design and Presentation

First impressions matter, and your booth is the first thing attendees will see. Make it count! Use bold colors, high-quality graphics, and professional signage that conveys your brand’s identity and makes your stationery products stand out in a crowded venue.

You also need to think about functionality. Arrange your products neatly and accessibly with tiered displays or wall-mounted racks. Keep your booth well-lit and free of clutter so people feel comfortable browsing. The more inviting your booth, the more likely people are to stop by.

Networking and Relationship Building

Trade shows are as much about people as they are about products. So, don’t just sit behind your booth—step out and start conversations! Have a short introduction ready that explains who you are and what makes your brand unique. And remember that people will remember how you made them feel even more so than how your products looked.

Be sure to collect contact information from people you meet. Whether it’s through a digital sign-up sheet or business card collection, having a reliable way to follow up is crucial. And don’t forget to take advantage of any workshops at the show—these sessions offer valuable insights into industry trends and provide even more opportunities to build relationships.

Pre-Show Marketing

While the in-person connection is most important, don’t wait until the event starts to get on people’s radar. Let your audience know which trade shows you’ll attend on social media, your website, and through email. You can show off new products, offer sneak peeks of your booth setup, or even schedule special giveaways to build excitement.

Plus, if you have existing clients or leads, you can reach out ahead of time to schedule meetings during the show. That way you’re not solely relying on foot traffic at the show.

Post-Show Follow-Up

The work doesn’t end when the trade show ends! Within a few days of the event, send a personalized message to the people you met—thank them for stopping by, answer any questions they had, and provide any additional information.

Finally, take some time to evaluate how the event went. What worked well for you? What could you improve upon for next time? Every trade show is a learning experience, and refining your approach will only make your next one even better.

At the end of the day, attending trade shows is a significant investment of time and resources, but it can lead to lasting business growth. Approach them with enthusiasm, put in the effort before and after the event, and you’ll see the impact on your brand’s visibility and growth.

Elevate Your Stationery Business

Navigating the world of wholesale and trade shows can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. PrintsWell offers high-quality printing solutions and expert support to help you bring your stationery designs to life. Whether you’re expanding into wholesale, launching a new collection, or preparing for your next big trade show, we’ve got you covered with top-tier printing, customization options, and seamless fulfillment.

Ready to take your stationery business to the next level? Partner with PrintsWell today!