“It is to trace the evolution of stationery and place the images of the people who use it upon the descriptions. It is, in essence, a vast culture formed by the invention and the user. Just as with clothing or food, stationery is not merely an object; it defines a way of life and serves as an indicator that allows us to understand and evaluate culture.” – From the ‘Translator’s Note’ in *The Adventures of Stationery*

Looking closely at Cornerbury's right-angle stapler, it cannot be regarded merely as a machine for holding paper together. Capturing the triple threat of design, eco-friendliness, and functionality, Cornerbury's stapler is a culmination of new technology that turns imagination into reality, representing an evolution of stationery. We met with Kim Young-jin, CEO of Cornerbury, who has opened new horizons not only for staplers but for the entire stationery industry through this right-angle stapler.

Staplers and staples are always within reach, but among countless stationery items, they felt more like helpers than protagonists. However, Connoverry has made them the stars.

Although not currently used in industrial settings, there is an old processing technique called 'corner stitching, ' which involves finishing the sides of package boxes using wire . With the automation of box manufacturing processes and the rise of adhesive-based products, corner stitching—which requires pressing each stitch individually with a machine—is not commonly used anymore because it is difficult to mass-produce. Then, by chance, I discovered a package with corner stitching in a store. It was aesthetically beautiful, too. I fell in love with it at first sight and decided we should try making it ourselves. However, it was difficult to find a place in Korea capable of manufacturing it. I thought, why not try making a machine ourselves that makes corner stitching easier? Since large machines are difficult to use in daily life, I thought it would be good to develop a handheld model that could be used as conveniently as a stapler.

You said you started it because it was pretty, but did you really expand the business this seriously?

I majored in visual design. While aesthetic beauty alone can be a motivation for creation, business was different. I researched by constantly asking questions to find a valid justification for commercializing the product. First, using this stapler eliminates the need for adhesive on paper, which has the advantage of reducing unnecessary paper waste. Although the staples must be separated for recycling, that is a small inconvenience. Furthermore, shipping boxes as finished products requires a 1-ton truck, but if the boxes are shipped as flat templates and stapled, even 10 to 20 orders can be easily transported with a single Porter truck. Looking at the bigger picture, I considered it an eco-friendly product that also helps reduce carbon emissions.

To bring your imagination to life, ingenious ideas are important, but the technical expertise to support them is also necessary. It seems like there must have been many twists and turns to accurately pinpoint the needles at a 'right angle,' so I am curious about the production process.

It took roughly four years to develop this technology, starting from 2019. Since this product required technology different from conventional staplers, we received development funding and support through a startup support program in Daegu. To explain simply, a standard stapler works by having the staple strike downwards in a 'U' shape; the ends of the staple curl inward upon contact with the base plate, folding approximately 80 to 90 degrees to bind the paper. I thought we could easily manufacture this by utilizing this principle, but that wasn't the case. Because the angle is applied not only to the ends but also to the corners in the middle, simply stapling downwards presents many obstacles in this structure. After much trial and error, we added a feature that staps downwards just like a conventional stapler, and then folds the staples up once more from the bottom. This is our core technology.

Since pressure is applied from both the top and bottom, doesn't the depth to which the needle penetrates vary depending on the grip strength?

That is correct. Since we were holding the stapler by hand rather than placing it on a surface, the depth of the staples wasn't consistent. So, to ensure consistent depth even during manual work, I attached a 'jig' to the bottom of the stapler . You can understand a jig as an auxiliary plate that allows you to easily and accurately determine the processing position. By attaching the jig and enabling the depth adjustment from 5 to 15 mm, it became possible to staple to a consistent depth, just like a conventional stapler.

You would have had to manufacture dedicated staples for the Cornerbury stapler as well.

Once we created the design drawings for the stapler, manufacturing the staple molds that go inside wasn't difficult. We paid close attention to adjusting the lengths to ensure the staples wouldn't slip out or be too long or short when bent. However, it is physically demanding because we import raw materials from China in 1-ton units and produce them ourselves using a press. We would need to outsource at least 40 tons to make the process feasible. Nevertheless, from a developer's perspective, we believe that controlling the manufacturing process ourselves and reducing our reliance on external companies will result in fewer defects, so we are currently handling it ourselves.

The company name was originally 'TIKI TIKI' rather than 'Conervery,' and the sound of 'TIKI TIKI' suited it well. Is there a reason you ultimately chose the name Conervery?

At first, I decided on the name 'Tiki-tiki,' an onomatopoeia that intuitively captures the sound of a stapler in operation. However, I found that the same name was already being used for cereals or medicine. That is when the word 'Konabari' came to mind. In the Gyeongsang dialect, a corner is commonly referred to as 'Konabari,' so I utilized that word. I added a bit more meaning to it by combining 'corner' and 'very.' As it turns out, it is a name infused with regional flavor. When I traveled abroad, foreigners interpreted it positively, saying, "It must be a very good product related to corners." (Laughs) Since it is a compound word we created ourselves, it was also convenient to register in many ways.

When making a box using a Cornerbury stapler, what is the most differentiating factor compared to existing products?

When creating packaging, some prioritize cost reduction while others prioritize aesthetics, and our product seems to sit right in the middle. When making lid-style boxes, there is a method where a thick piece of paper serves as the frame, and the entire structure is wrapped once with thin paper. This process is complex and uses a large amount of paper, resulting in high costs. While many foldable boxes have emerged as alternatives, this form also consumes an excessive amount of paper. By using a stapler, however, we can reduce costs by minimizing paper usage, eliminating the need for adhesives, and simplifying the manufacturing process. This stapler-style box is stripped of all unnecessary elements, and the box layout features a clean, minimalist design that stays true to the basics.

Looking at the product list, I noticed they also sell box packages.

I initially thought a stapler and dedicated staples would be sufficient. However, I found that many people find packaging production itself difficult unless they work in a design-related field. That is why we assist with packaging production by creating templates with minimum quantities and designs tailored to your budget. In return, we believe that using recycled paper as much as possible aligns best with the product's purpose, so we recommend paper made without logging or using harmful ingredients. I feel a sense of reward when I see people personalizing plain packaging with stamps, stickers, and other items to create a DIY vibe.

Memo pads made from leftover paper also stand out.

Contrary to my expectations, many people are interested in the paper itself. Our box packaging is made with paper from 'Doo Sung Paper,' and the company actually collects paper scraps like that and sells them at a low price. I thought it was such a great initiative, so we decided to participate in the project as well. In the future, we plan to develop and sell products such as trays made from leather scraps or items that utilize right-angle staplers, like file storage boxes.

If there are products with high utility in daily life, like file storage boxes, there will be more opportunities to appeal to individuals as well.

That's right. Currently, it is frequently sought after by small business owners, individual sellers, and artists such as craftspeople. While overseas select shops recognize its value, it would be even better if it could blend a little more into people's daily lives.

Speaking of overseas select shops, I’m curious about your participation in international design fairs in Paris, New York, Cologne, and beyond, not just in Korea. Did participating in these fairs give you confidence in Cornerbury's potential?

When we were actively developing the business, there were people who doubted its viability. However, at the 'Maison & Objet ' fair in Paris, France, in 2020—where we went with only samples and no finished products—someone told us, "This is exactly the product we were looking for." That made me realize, "We haven't developed a product with absolutely no demand." I was also grateful when several overseas select shops offered to stock our products. I try my best to participate in fairs both domestically and internationally. I also make a point of seeking out buyers and other companies. Thanks to that, we were able to meet the owner of 'Point of View,' an iconic stationery store in Seoul that fills its entire three-story building with paper and writing instruments, and secure a spot in their store domestically.

There are even specialized stapler brands overseas, you know. It must be quite rewarding to be recognized among them.

We take pride in having secured an exclusive position in the stapler market since we were the first to manufacture handheld right-angle staples. We have also registered a patent for our technology. While it may be inevitable that they might make slight improvements or develop it in a different direction, this serves as a minimum safeguard.

It was worth the four years of hard work.

I started out recklessly, but I didn't want to give up halfway. It was overwhelming having to handle everything from production and technology development to marketing, as someone who used to just do design work. To be honest, I'm still holding on. (Laughs) Still, whenever my hard work pays off, I gain the strength to keep going.

Connorbury has passed the starting line and is in full swing. What goal is he currently looking toward as he runs?

I suspect we might continue to take on reckless challenges. Our primary goal is to overcome the limitations of handheld models. We are considering developing automated industrial machines for mass production users. Since we now possess the core technology, wouldn't it be a bit easier than it was at the beginning? It would be great if we could make the stapler the star of the show and leap forward as a global brand, not just a domestic one.

Maker's Pick

3 products showcasing Connorbury's unique technology

Box unfolding set

You can choose from a total of 6 different sizes. It is shipped as a net template rather than a stapled box, allowing you to reduce bulk. One set of net templates consists of 10 boxes, with 10 sheets each for the top and bottom, totaling 20 sheets. You can assemble them into finished products using a Cornerbury stapler and staples. Sizes: E 55-board 450g 6cm x 6cm x 3cm, E-board 0g 12cm x 1cm x 5cm, E-board 450g 14cm x 10cm x 3cm, E-board 550g 18cm x 6cm x 4.5cm, E-board 550g 18cm x 14cm x 5cm, E-board 650g 22cm x 18cm x 7cm

Cornerbury stapler

Cornerbury stapler for securing the corners of packaging boxes, not flat paper. Dimensions: 180mm x 100mm x 28mm Weight: 450g Maximum Load: 80 staples Recommended Paper Thickness: Board paper max 1mm (650gsm), Corrugated cardboard max 3mm (B-flute)

Connorbury Staples

Dedicated staple for the Cornerbury stapler. The Cornerbury staple secures corners with the most optimized angle and strength for both the stapler and the packaging box, enabling the quick and easy production of sturdy packaging boxes. Color: Silver/Bronze Material: Galvanized, Copper-plated Size: 16mm x 13mm x 0.9mm x 0.5mm