Stand Out Through Branded Stationery
Every brand deserves their own signature touch.
When selecting a printing company to partner with, the stars aligned for MOO & Co. Story. MOO is known for their quirky papers and inventing new sizes of business cards, like their MOO mini cards. Co. Story’s clients are seeking forward-thinking and conscious ideas, such as MOO’s 100% recyclable, tree-free paper. Recently, MOO reached out to interview Co. Story’s founder, Connor Storch, for a showcase on their exclusive Copper Foil offering. Read the full Q&A below!
Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Connor Storch, and I'm a Creative Branding Consultant based in the multicultural landscape of South Florida. I've had the privilege of gaining award-winning experience working with renowned ad agencies, effective nonprofits, and some of the world's largest advertisers.
In 2018, I founded my own boutique consultancy, Co. Story, focusing on intentional storytelling to empower brands of all sizes and shapes. We excel not only in traditional business branding but also in personal branding and the unique niche of wedding branding. More on that later!
In addition, I am an avid traveler, tarot reader, and fashionisto! You can follow me on Instagram @storywith.co if you want to check out my personal style.
Could you share more about Co. Story, its mission, and your specific role within the company?
Co. Story's mission is showcasing the power of purpose-driven branding. We believe in aligning a brand's purpose with its strategic voice, look, and feel. Our services revolve around articulating a brand's intentions and translating them into tangible elements, such as digital marketing and printed materials.
I work directly with clients as their creative director and project manager, pulling additional resources as needed. I also identify as an artist — branding is my medium, so the vigorous creative process is something I am very passionate about and sincerely enjoy.
What inspired you to choose copper foil as a special finish for your print products? Is there a specific aesthetic or message you're aiming to convey? How does this special finish align with your brand identity?
For embodying Co. Story’s identity, stars and constellations stood out as powerful symbols to correlate with branding. In ancient times, random stars were grouped and branded together with beautiful names, stories, and visuals to navigate the night sky and changing seasons. These starry entities continue to thrive in art, culture, spirituality, and even business, proving that a stellar brand can transcend over time.
When it came to determining the Co. color palette, we recognized the need for stars to shimmer with a metallic hue, but we wanted to stand out from the traditional gold or silver choices. That's where copper came into play, signifying an unexpected mixed metal moment — it has both gold and silver hints to it, depending on the lighting. In our partnership with MOO, we took it a step further by placing copper foil atop a copper-hued card. Copper on copper? Absolutely! It's a bold choice that encapsulates our brand's distinctiveness.
In a digital world, how are branded marketing materials impactful for your brand mission? What value do you place on their ability to help amplify your message?
While a majority of interactions are digital, we always prepare professionals to be ready for anything. For example, if someone asks you for a business card and you don’t have one, or you pull out your phone for them to pull out theirs, you’ve just killed the vibe.
In the realm of wedding branding, Co. Story strikes a balance between the digital and the physical. We've modernized the save-the-date by sending it as a text message and email, promoting sustainability by reducing paper usage. However, when it comes to the invitation, we view it as a special keepsake that adds a human touch to the wedding experience. Additionally, we channel all communications toward a dedicated wedding website for guests to RSVP and access up-to-date information effortlessly.
Of course, we also advocate for the inclusion of day-of directional signage and post-event communications, like thank-you cards. These elements not only serve as practical tools for guests but also provide an opportunity to celebrate the couple's love story. We humanize these materials, ensuring they become cherished mementos.
Could you please describe the print products you’ve enhanced with Copper Foil?
BUSINESS CARDS: On the front side, we highlight our business name and logo in the holographic copper foil against a coppery burnt sienna background. When you flip the card over, you're treated to a crisp white surface with our contact information in a sleek black typewriter font. Then, we added copper foil accents to all the punctuation within the text, tying them back to our constellation motif. This design ensures that both the front and back of the card feel cohesive yet distinctive.
ALL-PURPOSE CARDS: For postcards, we aimed for versatility, creating a notecard suitable for any occasion. The concept involves a splatter paint pattern as an abstract interpretation of constellations. It was a risk to print such a large scale in all copper foil, but that’s why we work with MOO to try new things! In person, when light hits these postcards, it creates a mesmerizing "wow" moment. On the back side, we've kept it intentionally blank, allowing us to include personalized notes as needed. This side features the Co. logo and a QR code, making these postcards perfect for business stationery.
Are there any reasons why you decided to use Copper Foil rather than Silver or Gold Foil?
At Co. Story, one of our core principles is to forecast trends. We were drawn to copper for its unconventionality and, of course, that it was a new and exclusive offering at MOO. Copper exudes a warm glow through its rich, earthy tones that connect with our brand essence. We believe in the power of having a brand signature, so copper enables us to establish our own aesthetic that stands out and leaves a lasting impression.
How have people reacted when they see or receive your print products with the copper foil finish? Have there been any memorable responses or feedback that stood out to you?
It's been an incredibly rewarding experience to witness the reactions of people when they feel our ultra-smooth cards with the copper foil finish. Without fail, every time I hand out my business card it elicits compliments, and I find myself blushing in response.
It's a testament to our philosophy at Co. Story — if you're going to provide someone with a representation of yourself, then let’s make it count.
