Stationery

[1] Stationery usually specifies materials to be written on by hand (e.g., letter paper) or by equipment such as computer printers.

Originally, the term 'stationery' referred to all products sold by a stationer, whose name indicated that his book shop was on a fixed spot.

This was usually somewhere near a university, and permanent, while medieval trading was mainly carried on by itinerant peddlers (including chapmen, who sold books) and others (such as farmers and craftsmen) at markets and fairs.

Typing with a typewriter is largely obsolete, having been superseded for most purposes by preparing a document with a word processor and then printing it.

The process involves printing the desired designs or text with an ink that remains wet, rather than drying on contact with the paper.

The paper is vacuumed or agitated, mechanically or by hand, to remove excess powder, and then heated to near combustion.

The process relies upon mated dies that press the paper into a shape that can be observed on both the front and back surfaces.

In Japan, major manufacturers of stationery include Kokuyo, Maruman, Lihit Lab, King Jim, MUJI and Tombow.