The London Studio signs cards deal with Calypso Cards

Art licensing and design studio The London Studio is proud to announce a new licensing partnership for artist and illustrator Emma Randall, a member of its Artists Collective community.

The London Studio has licensed a range of Emma’s newly released designs from her Pear Tree Press brand to Calypso Cards, an admired independent US-based publisher and distributor of premium greeting cards.

The London Studio Artists Collective is a community that brings together, promotes and collaborates with over 100 of the world’s most exciting independent artists. This includes Emma Randall, whose work has just been shortlisted in the prestigious 2025 Henries Awards for greeting cards – in no fewer than five award categories!

The intricacy and originality of Emma’s work attracted the Calypso Cards team, who met her at a major greeting cards event where they discussed licensing Pear Tree Press art. This led to the deal, negotiated and managed by Soula Zavacopoulos, Director of The London Studio and founder of the Artists Collective, on Emma’s behalf.

The agreement will see a selection of original Pear Tree Press designs published and sold exclusively by Calypso Cards in the USA from January 2026, as well in Canada through Paper E Clips, Calypso Cards’ distribution partner. The London Studio is now in discussions with Calypso Cards about future launches.

Bristol-based Pear Tree Press was founded in 2023 by successful children’s book illustrator Emma Randall, who joined The London Studio Artists Collective last year as she wanted to create a space specially for the greetings cards and print side of her illustration practice.

Emma illustrates each design by hand, choosing bright colour palettes and using eye-catching intricate patterns and hand-drawn typography, drawing on her years of children’s book character work to produce highly distinctive art that is very much her own.

She began by selling her work through an online greeting cards marketplace, where sales to date have passed 60,000 cards. Pear Tree Press then started selling into retail, launching in the Artists Collective instore area at Ryman Design stores – a branded area which features some of The London Studio’s most successful and in-demand independent artists.

Emma’s work, which can be seen on cards, prints, and other lovingly illustrated paper goods, is now also stocked in a number of independent shops across the UK. This agreement brings Emma’s designs to the US and Canada for the first time.

Calypso Cards is a minority-owned business established in 2004, dedicated to creating and distributing beautifully designed greeting cards, stationery and gift items. Based in the charming seaside city of Newport, Rhode Island, Calypso Cards curates a distinctive collection of cards that combine clever writing, fresh artwork, and high-quality production – perfect for independent retailers who value originality and style. Its products are sold through specialty retailers across the US and Canada.

Dalton Laluces, Managing Director, Calypso Cards, says: “We are always on the lookout for striking and intelligent art that appeals to our discerning customer base and there’s no doubt that Pear Tree Press stands out in a highly competitive greeting cards market. We’re very much looking forward to bringing Emma’s designs to the US and Canada for the first time!”

Nicky Burton, Creative Director, Calypso Cards, says: “It was a delight to be introduced to Emma’s colourful, whimsical designs and a real thrill to secure her services for our business. We pride ourselves on working with stylish, original artists like her and we are hoping to collaborate further with the Artists Collective for future releases with more of their incredible independent artists.”

Founder and director of The London Studio, Soula Zavacopoulos, says: “Through our Artists Collective we support and mentor artists and fledgling publishers alike and we could not be happier about this partnership. Calypso Cards and Pear Tree Press are a perfect match that will, I’m sure, be a big success with consumers across the US and Canada.”

Emma Randall says: “I was delighted to meet the lovely team at Calypso Cards. It’s a company that continues to innovate in the greetings card industry and is an ideal partner for our first foray into the US market. I am excited to see Pear Tree Press cards launch in the USA and Canada soon!”