Starfangled Press was born in the mountains of southern Appalachia, where artist Kristen Necessary has been creating original prints, cards, stickers, and more since 2016. From the very beginning, our mission has been simple but powerful: to bring more art into your daily life. 

Described in Southern Living Magazine as a “shrine to paper goods and clever design,” Starfangled Press is known for playful, down-to-earth paper goods that connect with people in meaningful and refreshingly unexpected ways.  Today, Starfangled Press brings a distinctly modern Appalachian voice to the world of stationery and art. 

Kristen’s Appalachian roots run deep—her family has lived in the hills of Virginia and North Carolina for eight generations. Her work is shaped by that life experience, drawing on southern mountain culture and everyday magic while steering clear of tired stereotypes. With a quirky sense of humor and a deep connection to place, her designs feel personal and relatable, grounded in an Appalachian perspective yet resonating far beyond the mountains. 

Backed by formal training that began at Virginia Commonwealth University and culminated in an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Iowa, Kristen blends the layered approach she developed as a traditional printmaker with the freshness of digital illustration. By combining layers of flat colors and textures with clever storytelling, she has created an instantly recognizable style that turns everyday goods into small works of art.

Starfangled Press began as a traditional printmaking studio, and that same hand-drawn, layered approach still guides everything we do today - from the designs we create to the curated goods we bring into our brick-and-mortar storefront.  Our shop has become a creative hub in downtown Brevard, NC, where visitors can step into the studio, check out our antique presses, see how old-school printmaking meets modern illustration, and discover the stories of the artists who bring it all to life in a space that is as welcoming and playful as the goods themselves.

From those first hand-pulled prints, Starfangled Press has grown into a brand carried by independent boutiques, bookstores, museum shops, cafes, outdoor retailers like REI, and lifestyle stores across the country. Whether it’s a heartfelt card, a cheeky sticker, or an art print that stops you in your tracks, Starfangled Press creates designs that resonate and leave a lasting impression.  

Because at Starfangled Press, we believe art makes life better.

As Seen In
Southern Living Magazine, Smoky Mountain Magazine, Down The Road Magazine, and Bold Life Magazine