How I hand-stamp every pencil — behind the scenes at The Pencil Nerd

Just me, a hand-press machine, and a spare room desk.

Every single pencil that leaves The Pencil Nerd has been stamped by hand, by me, Lisa, usually somewhere between finishing tea and remembering I should probably go to bed. 

The Pencil Nerd is my side hustle, which means it exists almost entirely in the margins of my day: evenings after work, weekend mornings, the odd Sunday afternoon when the orders have stacked up and the foil isn't going to press itself.

So how does it actually work?

Each pencil gets loaded into the slip cases and into the press one at a time. The phrase is set, the foil is lined up, and then, press. That's it. That's the moment. A few seconds of pressure and the words are transferred onto the pencil in foil, permanently and (if I've done my job right) perfectly straight.

The part people don't always think about is the setup: making sure the alignment is right, that the foil hasn't shifted, that the pressure is consistent, so the lettering comes out clean and even. Get it wrong and the whole pencil has to go in the bin. I am, to put it mildly, particular about this.

Why do it this way?

Because it matters. Because a pencil that represents someone’s passion, or someone's child's name on it should feel like it was made with some actual care. The hand-stamping process is slower and fiddlier than the alternatives, but it's also the thing that makes every order feel like it was made for the person receiving it.

What happens after stamping?

Once the pencils are done, they get sharpened, checked, packed, and wrapped ready to go. Orders are shipped via Royal Mail and I try to get everything out as quickly as I can because I know that most of these pencils are gifts, and nothing is worse than a present that arrives late.

The whole operation is a bit chaotic, usually with a toddler in tow somewhere along the line.

If you've ever ordered from The Pencil Nerd, thank you so much, you’re awesome. You've given me a reason to stay up past 9pm on a Wednesday, and I genuinely wouldn't have it any other way.

Browse the full range at thepencilnerd.co.uk

The Pencil Nerd is a small business based in Gateshead, making hand-stamped pencils for people with passions. Free tracked shipping on orders over £20.