It all started in 1837...

William Sinclair sets up his first printing company in Wetherby making hand made ledgers and pocket books and also undertakes general printing work for the town.

Sinclair moves to Otley, and starts using the famous Wharfedale Press, which was invented in the town. This new technology enabled Sinclair to increase production.

We expand into Albert Works, a much bigger site, which allows us to expand and automate. We start supplying Marks & Spencer in Leeds Market, with fashionable ‘fancy’ books.

The Great War begins meaning strict import restrictions. We develop sketchbooks with naval and military themes - ‘Iron Duke’, ‘All British’, ‘The Entente’ etc - product names that reflected the wartime conditions.

Now exporting across the Empire, we develop stationery for the mass market, including ‘Novelty’ items such as cigarette card albums, jam-pot covers, greaseproof paper, brown paper & string, draught boards and even toilet rolls!

We introduce the familiar red Silvine Exercise book. Millions of these books are exported to countries around the world, along with the new phenomenon that is the Refill pad!

Innovation continues. The recent moon landings inspire ‘Silvine Sam’ - a spaceman who appeared on a range of products, helping children with their spelling and arithmetic.

The Silvine laurel wreath is no more. We develop a rebrand, bringing a modern look to our logo and website. We also continue developing new products - all incorporating our new logo.

We continue to develop an manufacture paper stationery for everyone. Now becoming the largest manufacturer of exercise books in the UK.

We also launch a brand new logo, that in insired by our extensive history.