LUIBAN For the Love of Paper

While still a child, Michael Bandt already had a passion for stationery. So big in fact, that at 16 he got his first job in Giessen's finest stationery store 'Punkt & Strich' and remained a loyal customer throughout his student years. He went to trade fairs with the store's owner where he was introduced to smaller, lesser known paperware manufacturers, and became a true connoisseur at a young age. It was clear that eventually, he would pursue a career of his own in this business.

Kai-Stefan Luithardt on the other side had been working in the IT business and started wishing for something more real. In 2009, LUIBAN online store turned into his missing bridge connecting aesthetics and technology, with Bandt's foundation of exclusive stationery. But with more and more clients requesting to come by the Kreuzberg warehouse to see their products in person, they decided to open up an actual store. Behind a big window front, you can now find Midori's Traveller's Notebook, various cases and bags by Sonnenleder and Papoutsi, as well as several writing instruments by Le Typographe or KaWeCo.

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The shelves and two old desks, which due to high demand are ordered to go in reproduction again, are neatly stocked with cards, notepads and -books. This is where Bandt can live up his paper passion. Haptic is a big factor, the value is oftentimes hidden in the feel of a product. Many items are produced in Japan or decorated by Israeli artists, exclusively for LUIBAN.

Constanze Hallensleben

Founder Creme Guides