If it’s stationery shopping in Milan you’re after, this blogpost is for you. Whether it’s notebooks, diaries, planners, fountain pens, writing paper, gift wrapping paper or calendars, each of these shops has something special to offer you ‒ each in their own particular style. And, unsurprisingly, all these shops have one thing in common: the good taste and creativity that’s so typical of all things Milan.
Pettinaroli
Pettinaroli is a legendary shop, founded in Milan in 1881 by Francesco Pettinaroli and beloved by the Milanese ever since. It is a veritable institution for anyone in Milan looking for stationery (and more) characterised by particular refinement. As a testament to the importance of this shop in the history of Milan, Pettinaroli was awarded the prestigious title of “Bottega Storica” (Historic Shop) in 2006.
Wonderful paper products, vintage prints and globes, small leather goods strictly “made in Italy”, fine writing paper, maps, planners are displayed along the shelves and on the sales counters. And this is also the place where the people of Milan come to have the printing work done for their most important events (such as weddings, christenings, etc), as well as for their business cards and personal or business letterheads. Pettinaroli is therefore not just a stationery shop, but also an important printing house, as well as a place that has always valued Italian craftsmanship.
Now run by the fourth generation of the founder’s family, Pettinaroli has been located in the heart of the Brera district since 2017, a place of art and artists due to the nearby Brera Art Gallery and the Academy of Fine Arts. A new address, but with the same unpretentious elegance that has always been a hallmark of Pettinaroli.
Pettinaroli
Via Brera 4, Milan
Tel +39 02 8646 4642 / 02 8646 1875
www.fpettinaroli.it
www.pettinarolimapsandprints.com
Cartoleria Fontana
A magical atmosphere with a pleasantly retro feel is what you experience as soon as you enter this delightful stationery shop on a central street in Milan. A shop that has been in Milan for over a century, and has been recently taken over by its new owners (Debora and Alessandro) who have preserved its original charm.
Amidst period furnishings and fairytale-like wallpaper, you’ll see notebooks, planners, greeting cards, nibs, wonderful wrapping paper, coloured inks and so much more. Here you’ll only find original and niche products, completely different from the anonymous and impersonal ones typical of large retailers.
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Cartoleria Fontana
Via Corridoni 41, Milano
Tel +39 02 83451 506
info@cartoleriafontana.com
Cartoleria Ruffini
At a stone’s throw from the splendid church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and Cenacolo Vinciano, which houses Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece “The last supper”, you can admire this adorable old-fashioned stationery shop. A little gem in the heart of Milan.
Here, not only will you find all kinds of notebooks, diaries, pens and pencils, but also pencil cases, desk pads and other fine stationery items often covered in beautiful Varese paper. Varese paper (“Carta di Varese”) is a traditional Italian decorative paper originally from the Veneto region, but which reached its peak of popularity and diffusion in Varese, a town in Lombardy. Varese paper is characterised by its vibrant colours and floral and geometric patterns inspired by Renaissance motifs. It’s typically used for bookbinding, gift wrapping, crafting and even lining furniture and boxes. It’s high-quality, resistant and is available in different colours (usually red, blue, brown, green and ochre).
If you pop into Cartoleria Ruffini in September/October, you can even order your planner for the following year, choosing your preferred paper and format.
Cartoleria Ruffini
Via Fratelli Ruffini 1, Milan
Tel +39 02 463074
La Mimosa
As stated on their website, La Mimosa is an “artisan workshop producing gift items made from paper and cardboard”. It’s a lovely little shop on a quiet street very close to the city centre.
Here, you’ll be able to choose among a variety of wonderful paper items (notebooks, photo albums, pencils, and anything stationery), but you’ll also have the opportunity to have items created just for you and personalised according to your tastes. If, for example, you pick a planner/diary you’ll have the chance to choose size, type of paper and the spine cloth.
You will also see many objects covered with marbled paper. Paper marbling is a very antique decorative technique of Japanese and Chinese origin, which arrived in Europe in the 1500s. The name of this technique refers to the wonderful abstract patterns created, which resemble the characteristic veining of marble.
La Mimosa
Via Lentasio 8, Milan
Tel +39 02 5830 7540
www.lamimosamilano.com
Tipografia Pezzini
This is another historic shop that has been run by the same family since 1956, when it was opened. It’s a delightful little shop with a printing laboratory (letterpress printing) on the lower floor, where you can have business cards, letterhead and wedding invitations printed. And you definitely can’t miss the wonderful three-dimensional pop-up cards that are lovely presents in their own right.
Here, you can also purchase an embossing machine: a machine that allows you to personalise cards, letter paper and envelopes by creating a raised design on paper.
You can also buy sealing wax kits and even obtain your own ex libris, special stamps to personalise your books, choosing from the various models available or commissioning a customised one.
Tipografia Pezzini
Largo della Crocetta 2, Milan
Tel +39 02 5831 4040
www.tipografiapezzini.com
ZU-ZŪ Design
This is a tiny shop whose owner Rita ‒ an illustrator and a craftswoman ‒ personally designs the patterns for the fabrics and the papers she uses to make the lovely items on display: notebooks, pencils, small pencil-cases, seasonal decorations and even canvas bags in various colours and patterns. Rita’s creations are entirely hand-made and are based on original and unique designs.
ZU-ZŪ Design
Via Carlo Botta 37, Milan
Tel +39 329 459 4391
www.zuzudesign.it
Pasini
This historic shop, which has been in business since 1922 and is located near the Navigli district, is a real paradise for those who are passionate about bookbinding, cartonnage, decoupage and DIY projects. If this is what you’re into, you’ll find everything that suits your needs, including countless papers from different parts of the world. You can unleash your imagination and buy everything you need to personalise diaries, notebooks, frames and baskets. Anything you need for your DIY projects, you’ll find it here.
Pasini
Viale Tibaldi 3, Milano
Tel +39 02 5810 0876
This post was all about stationery shopping in Milan.