PLOTTER heads to Industry City for Stationery Fest 2026

Stationery Fest 2026 brought three days of creative energy to Industry City in Brooklyn, New York, and PLOTTER USA was excited to be part of the festivities. First hosted by Brooklyn-based stationery store Yoseka Stationery back in 2024, the festival is back after two years for an even larger gathering of stationery makers, brands, and analog enthusiasts. Over three days, PLOTTER USA exhibited a special pop-up booth that featured its iconic leather binders as well as event-limited items.

A view of the whole PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

A collage of PLOTTER materials, packaging and stickers mounted on a board.

Before the Stationery Fest doors opened, the PLOTTER team kicked off festivities early. The PLOTTER team from Japan flew in to support the PLOTTER USA team. It was their first time in New York, and the whole PLOTTER team (comprised of USA and Japan team members) was excited to create new memories and to meet PLOTTER fans traveling from all over the United States, and even from around the globe.

The line outside of Industry City venue filled with people attending Stationery Fest 2026.

The Liscio leather pen rolls on the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

Having the PLOTTER team from Japan also meant PLOTTER fans could meet Takayuki Saito, the director of PLOTTER, and learn more about PLOTTER from the person who created and conceptualized the Leather Binders we all know and love.

Takayuki Saito, the director of PLOTTER doing hand lettering and calligraphy on PLOTTER leather goods.

Before the Festival

Two PLOTTER leather binders resting on a mailbox with the Manhattan Bridge in the background.

The day before the festival, we set up together at the Industry City venue, then headed to DUMBO for a little team building. We explored the neighborhood, and even rode the iconic Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn with views facing the Manhattan skyline. To gather energy for the festival, we had a lovely dinner nearby, facing the nighttime skyline of New York—an unforgettable start before the rush of the festival.

A PLOTTER mini 5 leather binder resting on a mailbox with the Manhattan Bridge in the background.

Opening Day Energy and Product Discovery

The gusset pouches and flat pen cases displayed on the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

From the moment the doors opened, the energy at Stationery Fest was immediate. The first hours were reserved for VIP ticket holders heading straight for event exclusives, and among the many items on the PLOTTER USA tables, the Gusset Pouch and Flat Pen Case were some of the first pieces PLOTTER fans reached for.

A person holding the brown gusset pouch in front of the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

A person holding the black flat pen case in front of the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

At the booth, guests had the opportunity to experience the PLOTTER system firsthand by handling leather samples and comparing the textures and character across different leather line-ups. We also brought a limited selection of standard leather binders in Pueblo Leather, Shiranami Leather, and Bridle Leather, along with our new event-limited releases.

Shiranami Leather Binders in a New Size: Mini 5

A large stack of PLOTTER boxes with leather binders on top of it.

For PLOTTER fans who enjoy a smaller form factor, one of the biggest surprises at Stationery Fest was the launch of the Shiranami Leather Binder in Mini 5 Size. Shiranami Leather first debuted in 2023 under the Japan Blue Project, and the line originally launched with three sizes: A5, Bible, and Mini. In 2025, we expanded the Shiranami lineup with Mini 5 Square, and at Stationery Fest 2026, we were excited to unveil the newest addition to the Shiranami Leather Binder lineup.

A person holding a mini 5 leather binder in shiranami leather from PLOTTER.

The launch of the Mini 5 Size Leather Binders in Shiranami Leather also became a great conversation starter at the booth, connecting longtime PLOTTER users with first-time visitors curious to see how a small leather binder can still deliver the full PLOTTER experience.

A PLOTTER team member showing a leather binder to a customer at the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

Event Exclusives

In-person events like Stationery Fest are always special because it gives us a chance to share items you can only find at PLOTTER TOKYO or PLOTTER’s physical events. This year’s event exclusives included limited leather binders like the newly debuted Roots Leather Binders, unique products from PLOTTER TOKYO such as the 1mm Grid Refill Memo Pads, and special accessories like the Liscio Leather Pen Rolls, Gusset Pouches, and Flat Pen Cases.

The Debut of Roots Leather

One of the weekend’s most anticipated moments was the debut of the new Roots Leather Binder series. Inspired by New York City and introduced exclusively for Stationery Fest, the smooth and taut Roots Leather came in Green, Purple, and Brown. PLOTTERs gravitated towards the playful yet regal hue of the Purple Roots Leather. As a free gift, festival attendees who purchased a Roots Leather Binder also received a subway-themed paper divider as a little momento of PLOTTER’s time in New York.

The Limited Edition Subway paper divider for A5 size PLOTTER on top of a green leather binder.

Calligraphy Service with Takayuki Saito

On Friday and Sunday of the festival, Takayuki Saito, the director of PLOTTER, offered a special PLOTTER Calligraphy Experience. PLOTTER fans who purchased tickets prior to the event can have Takayuki-san add some beautiful hand-lettering to their PLOTTER Leather Binders and accessories. On the day of the event, we opened Takayuki-san’s lettering service to walk-ins, which allowed so many more PLOTTER fans to customize their notebooks. It was particularly fun seeing how PLOTTERs customized their PLOTTER items—some fans brought in their Leather Binder Cases for Takayuki to hand-letter, while others picked up new PLOTTER items at the festival to personalize, which made the lettering service feel even more special.

Examples of Takayuki Saito's hand lettering and calligraphy on PLOTTER leather goods.

An example of Takayuki Saito's hand lettering on a green Roots leather binder from PLOTTER.

Examples of Takayuki Saito's hand lettering and calligraphy on PLOTTER leather binders.

PLOTTER TOKYO Exclusives in Brooklyn

A curated selection of PLOTTER TOKYO exclusives was also available at the booth, giving visitors a rare chance to experience items typically reserved for the PLOTTER flagship store in Harajuku, Tokyo.

PLOTTER TOKYO limited items on the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

PLOTTER TOKYO items were a fun surprise for many attendees, especially the PLOTTER TOKYO Lifter with Bands. Guests enjoyed adding a pop of color to their existing PLOTTER Leather Binders since the PLOTTER TOKYO Lifter with Bands came in Beige, Green, and Gray. These shades also complement our existing leather binder lineup, including the USA-exclusive Shiranami Leather Binders.

The 1 mm Grid refill memo pads on the PLOTTER USA table at Stationery Fest 2026.

A Conversation on Stage

Takayuki Saito, director of PLOTTER with Brad Dowdy and Myke Hurley, the hosts of the Pen Addict Podcast.

One of the highlights of the 2026 Stationery Festival was Takayuki Saito’s panel interview, moderated by Pen Addict Podcast hosts Brad Dowdy and Myke Hurley. Takayuki-san, along with other paper and notebook brand directors and designers, participated in a panel interview in front of a live audience at Stationery Fest—”Designing a Great Stationery Product”. It was a great experience to hear directly from Takayuki-san and learn about the PLOTTER brand and his vision for PLOTTER in the future. The creative energy from all the different brand directors and designers was so positive and left many attendees feeling creatively energized to pursue their next projects.

Takayuki Saito, director of PLOTTER with Brad Dowdy, the host of the Pen Addict Podcast, along with other panelists.

Closing Thoughts

Stationery Fest 2026 was a weekend all about creativity and connection, and we’re grateful to everyone who stopped by to share their excitement for PLOTTER. From meeting longtime fans to introducing new visitors to our leather binders and offering on-site calligraphy service, we were so fortunate to interact with so many passionate PLOTTERs.

We would like to extend a thank you to the PLOTTER staff from Japan for supporting the PLOTTER USA team, and to Takayuki Saito, the director of PLOTTER, for continuing to teach us about PLOTTER’s ethos and for sharing his wealth of knowledge and creativity with both the PLOTTER USA team and Stationery Fest attendees.