Over 160 Years of Historic Print Known for its premium stationery, envelopes, and packaging, we take the chance to find out more about this 167-year-old company by speaking to the directors of the business – Charles Pertwee, commercial director; Chris Pertwee, production direction; and Paul Haslam, key account director tionship between supplier and customer. JJ built the business so that by the end of the 19th century the company was in a six-storey factory in Moorgate, employing hundreds of people. Today we offer die-stamping, letterpress, foil blocking, digital foiling, hand and machine envelope making, gilt and colour edging, and duplexing. How has the company grown since it was founded? Charles: As you can imagine over such a long period of time the company shape shifted with the times. From a magnificent six floor factory in Moorgate employing hundreds of people, surviving the Great Depression, being firebombed in 1940, and welcoming staff back after the war. More recently we had to move out of Hackney due to high rent and rates due to the pandemic – we are now in our 23rd home in East London, South Woodford. What is your company ethos and its values? Charles: Driven by our history, it inspires us to produce the best, most distinctive printed stationery, luxury packaging, and bespoke envelopes. We use vibrant colours, applying exquisite details, and elegant finishes for customers in London, the UK, and across the globe that stand out and make a powerful first impression. We pride ourselves on handmade, bespoke, often manual, and inefficient manufacturing processes to make our products. Different options of printing techniques, machines, or hand finishing provide the flexibility of small quantities, unusual materials, and standout finishes. This offers customers distinct options that match their desire for individuality. house for his growing family, and more apprentices based on this seemingly endless new source of income. Yet Jarrett exploited the situation mercilessly, inducing JJ’s father to make dies for him alone, then driving the prices down and eventually turning JJ’s father into a mere journeyman who worked like a slave. He eventually found he had little left after he had paid his production costs in turn impoverishing the family. My great uncle set up in Little Bell Alley in the City of London in 1861. Previously he had been working for his father in Hackney running engraving dies round to customers in the city and up to the West End. He’d seen firsthand the fragile relaA family in business demonstrating graft, resilience, creativity, and fantastically skilful staff ▲ Paul Haslam, key account director at Baddeley Brothers COMPANY SPOTLIGHT | BADDELEY BROTHERS When was the business founded, by who, and how did it become the company become it is today? Charles: The Baddeley family can trace the engraving line back to Phineas Baddeley in 1652 – he was a clockmaker. It is generally acknowledged that the “modern” company was formally founded in 1859 when my great uncle (six times), JJ Baddeley’s father, opened a bank account. In 1851, Griffith Jarrett exhibited his popular embossing press at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, ordering the dies from JJ’s father who took on a larger 61 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 362 - September | October 2026
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