The Making of Soobaak Vintage's Recycled Stamp

One of Soobaak's main tasks is box collecting. Although we can’t quite call ourselves environmental activists, under the leadership of our eco-enthusiast boss, Mr. Jeongyeol, we make it a point to reuse (and reuse again) single-use items whenever possible. We wash and reuse coffee cups a couple of times, collect and repurpose price tags by sticking new labels on them, and, of course, we collect boxes!

Every morning, we check the list of packages that need to be shipped and head out to find the right boxes. Since our store is located in Sinsa-dong, we scour the nearby alleys, residential areas, and convenience stores for boxes. At first, it was overwhelming trying to figure out where to find them, but now, after almost four years on the job, I have a pretty good idea of where to look in Sinsa-dong.

We pick up boxes that are clean and in good condition, and we only take as many as we need. It’s a bit like how the Israelites gathered just enough manna for each day in the Bible story. We also don’t want to take too many boxes and leave the local recycling collectors without their share, so we only take what we need each day.

If a large item is ordered, we go hunting for a big box. If it’s a small item like glasses or accessories, we look for a smaller box. It can be quite the adventure, and there are days when we come back empty-handed because we couldn't find the right box.

Finding a clean box that fits the order, then carrying it back to the store under the hot sun—this isn’t exactly fun all the time. But now, after four years, box hunting has become one of my favorite tasks. It’s a chance to get some fresh air during work, and sometimes I even get to meet some adorable dogs along the way.

(These days, I can’t help but want to pick up every good-looking box I see. Is this what they call an occupational hazard—Soobaak Box Syndrome?)

Since we’ve been using recycled boxes, we’ve put up a notice on our website and below our account details to let customers know. But some people still aren’t too happy about receiving used boxes. (Thinking about it, it’s actually surprising and nice that we’ve had so few complaints over the years!) Even though we always take care to pack everything neatly, new boxes do tend to feel better than recycled ones. So, after a quick meeting with Mr. Gyu-tae and our CEO, we decided to create a recycled stamp!

This stamp expresses a lot of feelings (at least for me, Samsohn Juhye). It’s like saying, “Sorry the box looks a bit shabby. It’s because it’s recycled… Thanks for understanding…”

Whenever we use a recycled box for packaging, we try to make it look a bit nicer with stickers or masking tape that our manager bought. If this stamp can convey even a bit of that thoughtfulness, it would be fantastic.

Since I’m the one who doodles the most at Soobaak, I got the job of designing the stamp. The task was to draw a cute image to match the message: “This package is packed using a recycled box.” Mr. Gyu-tae mentioned he’d have someone he knows who makes eraser stamps carve it. So, after work, I went home and sketched out some ideas before bed.

<Ideas I Thought Of>

• The recycle icon

• A tree taking a break

• A resting tree saying "thank you"

• Humans saving trees

• The Earth and its inhabitants

And more.

Using my ADHD to my advantage, I brainstormed all over the place, listening to music and drawing whatever came to mind. I ended up with two reference drawings (from a cute calendar that I copied) and four original designs. Two of the designs didn’t make the cut because they weren’t good enough, leaving seven options in total. I sent these seven options to the CEO, saying she could pick one. But maybe even seven options were too many for her, as she decided to hold a vote on Instagram instead.

(By the way, someone commented that my drawing style is similar to some artist named Gentaro? I had never heard of him before, so I looked him up and was genuinely surprised by the resemblance. Maybe it’s the simple black-and-white style with basic facial features. Anyway, this is quite an honor, considering he’s an amazing artist! Was he subconsciously influencing me without me even knowing? Who knows… If I had known she’d post it on Instagram, I would have tried harder. I thought only she would see them, so I just threw in a bunch of random stuff…)

Anyway, the seven options went up on Instagram, and the voting began.

Most of the faces I draw either have closed eyes or, if the eyes are open, a bit of a crazy look. I personally dislike characters with wide, round eyes that smile sweetly and predictably. I prefer a serene, Buddha-like smile. Someone commented that they wished my drawings would smile more clearly. Maybe it’s true that art reflects the artist—I rarely open my eyes wide, and I tend to smile softly. Or maybe it’s just my rebellious streak? Drawing them that way has brought me peace for the past year (TMI). I chose that particular font because I thought it suited Soobaak well, and the CEO agreed. It also resembles the handwriting of Park Ji-won, our handwriting mimic master.

Option 1 got the most votes and was selected. It was one of my favorites, too—it was the first idea that came to mind.

And so, our recycled stamp was born—ta-da!

I hope that when customers receive a package in a slightly shabby box, they’ll see the "recycle thumbs-up man" and feel a bit like they’re looking at a scruffy dog—not annoyed, but rather a bit charmed. It’s a small thing, but it’s fun and fulfilling.

I hope that stamp will be used at Soobaak for a long, long time!

Written by | Dirty Samsohn Juhye