An Unexpected Win from an Unexpected Place

A few nights ago, just as I was heading to bed around 11:30 PM, a notification popped up from the Fountain Pen Enthusiasts Facebook group. It was a tag directed at Ferris Wheel Press — one of those late-night surprises that instantly raises your heart rate. I hesitantly opened the post and found a long, detailed message filled with unpleasant accusations about our company and our intentions. None of this was new, but seeing it laid out again forced me to pause and reflect.

Even so, something in me felt compelled to respond. These rumours — that our pens are cheap knockoffs or rebranded factory pens — have floated around online for years. They’re simply not true, but misinformation doesn’t fade on its own. And while I’ve explained our process many times before, I realized this was an opportunity to stand up for our team, our design integrity, and our values.

Why I Chose to Speak Up

When misinformation circulates for a long time, it can take on a life of its own. The narrative that we buy generic pens from China, engrave them, and sell them under our brand has been repeated often enough that some people accept it as fact. And while the internet can amplify ideas quickly, it doesn’t always amplify the truth.

So I responded ensure that I showed humility, courage, and gratitude.  

I shared more about who we are:

• Our origin as a letterpress printmaking studio

• Our deep roots in design and hand craftsmanship

• The fact that all our artwork is done in-house, by hand

• Our pen designs come from our own long, iterative process

• We have long since filed and were granted the design patents for our pens in the USA, Canada, EU, and most parts of Asia

I also addressed the real source of confusion that years ago, a manufacturer overseas copied our original pen design and sold it without our permission. Despite pursuing all the proper channels, we were never able to force them to stop. And if major global brands can't shut down every copycat factory, you can imagine how difficult it is for a small Canadian stationery brand.

To clear things up once and for all, I provided irrefutable proof — design files, engineering drawings, and patents going back years. Our team deserved that clarity, and so did our community.

What Happened Next Surprised Me

What I expected was more backlash or more negativity.
What I received instead was something completely different.

People thanked me for being transparent.
Others said they had misunderstood and appreciated the clarity.
Some even apologized for misjudging us — something I didn’t think I’d ever see online.

It was overwhelming in the best way. For a long time, I felt like the internet was becoming more cynical and harsh, but that night reminded me that many people out there still care about the truth. They want honesty. They want positivity. They want to support brands they believe in.

The wave of encouragement and kindness I received was something I genuinely didn’t expect — I read and responded to every message (over 300)

A Reminder of Who We Are

This experience reminded me of our identity as a team and as a brand.

We don’t set out to make the most technical pen in the world. That’s not our mission.
Our goal is to make the most loved, most inspiring, most fun pen.

We come from a printmaking background — that’s why our packaging is world-class.
We’ve spent more than 15 years perfecting the craft of making beautiful things.
We pour the same intention into our inks, pens, and every detail of our storytelling.

We’ve never used AI to generate artwork.
We’ve never rebranded generic products.
We’ve always built from the ground up because that’s what we love doing.

This is our contribution to the world: Make Fancy Fun

A Lesson I Didn’t Know I Needed

This was an unexpected win in an unexpected place and it gave me something I didn’t realize I’d lost — a renewed sense of hope. A reminder that showing up matters, and that authenticity still resonates.

I truly believe God was teaching me something in that moment.
To keep showing up.
To serve generously.
To speak truth when it matters.
And to never underestimate the goodness that still exists out there.

For everyone who reached out with support, encouragement, or even a change of heart — thank you. It means more than you know. You made the internet feel human again.

And for all the supporters who have stood by us, whether from the beginning or just recently — I’m grateful for you. You are the reason we do what we do.

Internal Links

• Our Story

• Our Core Values

• Our Design Philosophy

Author Bio

Hi, I’m Raymond Yu — founder and CEO of Ferris Wheel Press. I’m passionate about building beautiful tools that inspire creativity, and even more passionate about serving our community with honesty, craftsmanship, and heart. Thanks for being part of our journey.