A Growing Chicago Collection
Maybe you are wondering what would be a good souvenir from Chicago? Or what local Chicago-made items might be perfect to send to a friend? Chicago is known for many things including it’s iconic skyline, Chicago style deep dish pizza, well-used flag, Chicago Style hot dog, public transit and more. Lettering Works has designed a collection of items to represent much of what makes Chicago unique, while maintaining focus on being locally crafted by a real designer who lives and breathes Chicago every day.
Chicago Postcards
28 backers supported the initial Chicago Style Postcards Kickstarter and brought our original series of six Chicago postcards to life. The initial postcard set featured six hand-drawn designs including: “Hello from Chicago,” “I Heart Chicago IL,” a Chicago Style Hot Dog, Chicago Flag, Chicago Skyline, and Chicago Heart. Each postcard measures 4x6’’ and is vibrantly printed on 18pt thick stock with silky-soft matte finish. These cards stand out in the market because their bold emphasis on quality and craftsmanship.
New designs emerged from the 100 Days of Chicago project that made great postcards, so they were added to the mix. All are specifically Chicago-inspired with the exception of the “Girls Support Girls” design, a tribute to all of the powerful networking and connection opportunities that Chicago has provided Lettering Works.
Wrigleyville Sports’ Director Cristina McAloon approached Lettering Works with an interest in both our established Chicago product line and as well as customized designs. She believes that passion-driven projects such as this collaboration really make a difference within retail and allow you to stand out in a crowded market.
Our final design solutions incorporated bright and bold colors that were inspired by the field, Wrigleyville as a neighborhood, game day, and fan loyalty. Our modern illustrative style brings something new to Wrigleyville Sports’ product line with added emotion and meaning that is derived from such our carefully crafted product.
Chicago Stickers
Stickers are undoubtedly a Lettering Works favorite. After just two months of being in Chicago, the development of a full line-up of Chicago-inspired stickers began. Lettering Works Chicago Sticker Collection started with nine unique designs, many of which correspond to the Chicago Style Postcards, Lettering Works’ first-launched Chicago project.
The collection has grown to include other Chicago icons like the CTA train, a parking ticket, CTA signage, an illustrated CTA bus, famous Marshall Field’s clock, alternate skylines, a jibarito, interpretations of the Chicago bean and more.
Chicago KEychains + Magnets
The majority of the Chicago line was inspired by success of Peoria gift items released by Lettering Works starting in 2016 and these keychains and magnets are no exception. Wrigleyville Sports advised on the popularity of the Chicago flag, so we built out a perfect way to display city pride in the form of trinkets that are easy to travel with and display. Keychains are durable and easily attach to backpacks, while the magnets are a bright addition to any refrigerator or metal surface. This design is a great way to show your Chicago pride with a subtle Lettering Works twist and specific call-out to the city’s name repeated as a pattern on the iconic light blue stripes of the city’s flag.
CHICAGO FOIL PRINTS
The application of foil to both the famous Chicago bean (or Cloud Gate) and CTA train cars seemed too perfect not to explore. These 5x7’’ soft-touch foil prints are an elegant way to show community pride and stand out as a more unique option for tourism products. They are perfect for framing and capturing a small bit of Chicago’s iconic essence.
Chicago Enamel Pins
There are countless options everywhere you look for Chicago souvenirs. But not many are genuine artist collaborations that feature local businesses at the forefront. These pins were hand-drawn by Lettering Works and made possible by a collaboration with the Field Museum and production by local vendor Chicago Embroidery Company.
What better way to show your pride for Chicago than with icons crafted with an emphasis on local? These enamel pins are the perfect way to show your love for the Windy City on your favorite everyday backpacks, tote bags, jackets, and more. Each design is a stamped metal pin filled with colored enamel with a flat, smooth surface. These high quality tokens of community pride are durable and versatile.
Both the Field Museum Building (originally an illustration from 100 Days of Chicago) and Science is for Everyone designs were custom created for the Field Museum and will be sold exclusively in their gift shop.
Shop Locally:
Purchase directly from Lettering Works at letteringworks.com/shop or from local retailers who offer a variety of Lettering Works products. Please note that products vary by location.
Lettering Works is OPEN TO NEW WHOLESALE OPPORTUNITIES IN CHICAGO AND BEYOND
Lettering Works is always looking for brands and businesses who are in need of custom artwork or quality art products on a medium to large scale. This could be retail shops, museum stores, airport gift shops, or universities. We offer all Chicago souvenirs at wholesale rates to local partners looking to buy in bulk. Send us a message to request a copy of our wholesale catalog.
Our speciality lies within the custom design of these items and the ability to produce vector artwork that translates well across a large variety products. We are also happy to help coordinate or handle production of any art products through our established print vendors.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Chelsie Tamms is an award-winning lettering artist and designer based out of Chicago. She is the owner of Lettering Works, a branding studio that connects businesses to their audience through creativity and strategy. With over 10 years of practice of lettering and design, Chelsie is passionate about craft and intention. When she’s not designing, she can be found eating ice cream, traveling internationally, or starting a new passion project.
