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    The Aesthetic Union

    4.4 (19 reviews)
    Open • 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

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    Reviews With Photos

    Wall art
    Joe R.

    My whole experience with The Aesthetic Union was awesome. Sent them a private message on Instagram to discuss what I was looking for. The owner helped me find pieces that would work with my room and fit my budget. I couldn't be happier with the results. The attention to detail was spectacular, even down to the packaging. Will definitely be coming back for more pieces soon.

    Left: Daniel; Right: James
    Taylor L.

    I was hired to do a soft brand audit for KQED this Spring. Nearing towards the finish line, the client expressed interest in celebrating the refresh with its 500+ staffers in a memorable and fun way. I came up with an interactive wheel chart design and immediately thought of The Aesthetic Union to execute the job. As a matter of fact, I designed it around them--taking full advantage of their capabilities. The result included: letterpress, hot foil stamps, 4 spot colors, die cut, and custom rivets--all assembled by hand. There is nothing these guys can't do and their service and attention to detail is spot on. Daniel helped me from concept to completion and offered honest advice for the best outcome. James oversaw the whole production. The entire process was a collaborative effort between myself and the AU crew; and it was a beautiful one. Needless to say-- the client was over the moon with the final product. I couldn't be happier. Hire The Aesthetic Union, they'll make you look good and bring more business to your business.

    Invitation on heavy cotton ragg cardstock with perfect layout, just the right color, and the ideal type impression on the paper!
    Curran H.

    I just attended the "soft opening" of the Aesthetic Union, a new fine letterpress printery run by James and Risa. (James used to be the letterpress printer at Hello! Lucky before striking out on his own.) The shop boasts two huge Heidelberg windmill presses plus all kinds of other vintage printing equipment. It was a treat to see the main Heidelberg in use, up-close! The Aesthetic Union does other printing besides letterpress, such as silkscreen, linoblock and mimeograph, and both James and Risa have great graphic design skills to augment their printing skills. James says that they're going to offer letterpress printing classes, which I'm excited about taking. They can do business cards, holiday cards, wedding invitations, stationery, bookplates -- all kinds of things. I had them lay-out and print some invitations for me and the results were even better than I had hoped! The shop doesn't just do printing, it also sells printed booklets, notebooks, cards and other printed goodies that you can't find anywhere else (most of them by local artisans), as well as an amazing selection of classic pencils, pencil sharpeners, and so on. The counters are made of the decks of an old tugboat, there are nautical antiques here and there, and the blue and yellow walls make it a wonderful space to wander around in. Countless gift ideas came to mind. The Aesthetic Union is a destination in itself, but the building also boasts a Blue Bottle Coffee, and is right next to the big Heath Ceramics studio and store. Anyone with an appreciation for great design, handcraftsmanship and things that last should definitely check out the Aesthetic Union! UPDATE: I've now had the opportunity to commission a few printing jobs from James and I have to say that his results exceeded my expectations! Not only was the presswork perfect (with a nice deep impression on the beautiful cardstock he chose) but he did the lay-out with an eye for balance, legibility and impact. Take a look at the photo I added to the gallery; it's the invitation card with a Masonic design in a rectangle and the phrase "You are cordially invited to..."

    They make this cool wrapping paper
    Nettie A.

    We went on the tour for Heath Ceramics and they brought us on a tour of this shop. It is really fun to walk around and look at the machines as well as their well curated products. We haven't had them make cards for us but saw samples of work they had done for other clients and they looked great. Definitely a fun visit for anyone interested in art and design.

    Hard at work.
    Zachary K.

    James is the owner here. He's very sharp; a true craftsmen. I won't be going anywhere else.

    Fast as fuck printer from the 20's

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    5 years ago

    Avoid at all costs. Rude, unprofessional, miserable interaction. Could go on forever.

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    Review Highlights - The Aesthetic Union

    “I just attended the "soft opening" of the Aesthetic Union, a new fine letterpress printery run by James and Risa.”

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    San Francisco Chronicle - Posted with review 12/21/25

    San Francisco Chronicle

    (440 reviews)

    SoMa

    I am so glad they run specials. I am in San Francisco alot, just not all the time. Unlike most, so…read morecalled local papers, the Chronicle actually has well written local news. I can find restaurants that are well rated AT MY PRICE POINT. Then I can further research on YELP to see if they are reachable on MUNI, BART with a short walk. I had no idea until the Chronicle that I could take a attractive ferry ride with my Clipper discount. Local news is well covered, far better than local television. Even the obits are enjoyable giving you insight into ordinary people from the bay area who have led interesting lives. I like the Chronicle.

    Updated review. Last month I received my credit card statement that the San Francisco Chronicle…read morecharged me $39 for a newspaper subscription. I had to call the credit card company to dispute the charge. Why? I have canceled the subscription several years ago. I haven't received their newspaper after that cancelation. To this date, no newspaper has been delivered to my home. The credit card company sent me a letter, notifying me that the $39 has been credited to my account. Yesterday I received an invoice from the San Francisco Chronicle wanting to charge me $76 with a new paid through date of June 28, 2026. Okay, I don't know why they want to sweat on me for $76 since I did not ask for a renewal subscription and there is no newspaper delivered to my home. I don't want the damn newspaper even if it were free. I will have to call their number (415 777-7000) to pick a bone with them. It looks like they are trying to prey on a senior citizen with their nonsense. Enough said!

    SOMA Magazine - Rob Wheat - Global PR Executive / Digital Journalist

    SOMA Magazine

    (19 reviews)

    Tenderloin

    I've worked in publishing, media and communications for more than three decades, and during that…read moretime I've met very few people with Ali Ghanbarian's combination of vision, creativity and entrepreneurial instinct. Ali has an extraordinary ability to recognize cultural trends long before they become mainstream. After earning a master's degree in engineering from UC Berkeley and beginning his career at Bechtel, he chose a completely different path--building businesses, creating communities and investing in creative people when few others saw the opportunity. For more than forty years, he has built SOMA Magazine into one of America's longest-running independent arts, culture and design publications. Along the way, he has helped discover, mentor and promote thousands of emerging photographers, designers, architects, filmmakers, musicians, writers, models and entrepreneurs who later went on to successful international careers. What impresses me most is that Ali never thinks conventionally. Every conversation generates new ideas, new business opportunities and new ways of looking at a problem. He has an unusual talent for connecting people, recognizing overlooked opportunities and bringing together creativity with business strategy. He's generous with his relationships, direct in his advice, and genuinely committed to helping talented people succeed. Those qualities are increasingly rare. If you're looking for someone who combines entrepreneurial vision, cultural insight, strategic thinking and an exceptional network built over four decades, I recommend Ali without hesitation. Simply put, if Ali Ghanbarian believes in an idea, it's worth paying attention....

    Ali Ghanbarian changed my life…read more When I first moved from New York City to California, I was a young model trying to find my place in the industry -- and let's be real, at that time, most agencies weren't checking for Black models. Ali saw something in me when others didn't. He gave me my very first modeling opportunity, and it turned into a dream moment -- gracing the cover of SOMA Magazine on my first modeling go-see. Ali has always championed creative talent -- not just in San Francisco but all over the world. He has an incredible eye for individuality and a genuine passion for helping artists break through barriers. His support opened doors that changed the trajectory of my career and gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward. If you're a creative, an innovator, or an artist who feels unseen -- Ali is that guy. A visionary who helps others be seen, heard, and celebrated. -- Forever grateful,Goldie Dixon

    Bay Crossings

    Bay Crossings

    (42 reviews)

    Embarcadero, SoMa

    Initially, I was afraid to come here because of all the bad reviews. It was my first time taking…read morethe ferry from SF to Oakland, and I didn't have a Clipper card, so I had no choice but to buy an actual ticket. Before I approached, I expected to get chewed out or at least glared at. I've been here twice now with no issues. On my first visit, I got a guy who was really friendly and helpful. He got me my ticket, and even told me which direction to go to and which port I should look for, without me having to ask. The second time, I got a guy who seemed to be in training with the first guy guiding him. The trainee was able to get the job done without a problem. I usually don't give places like this a review, but I felt the need to write up a good one, so others won't be afraid to come here like I had been and give them a shot.

    Unfortunately another less than stellar review for Bay Crossings in the Ferry Building. We stopped…read moreby to get a new Clipper card, and for a location that bills itself as "Clipper Customer Service", we were not helped the way one would expect. The clerk that was assisting customers was extemely rude and condesending. When we asked a question about transfering a remaining balance from one card to another, he said to contact customer service. Well...isn't that what he was supposed to be? There was another customer behind us that he started helping and when she asked a question, he was equally rude and condesending. I was really surprised a shop that caters to visitors as a tour infomation center would have someone working for them with such poor customer service. I thought that maybe the person was just having a bad day, but after seeing other feedback here, I think this is just the way this shop operates regularly.

    San Francisco Magazine

    San Francisco Magazine

    (25 reviews)

    North Beach/Telegraph Hill

    Vapid, socialite slick consumerist fodder…read more Content is Not for the typical Yelper. I canceled my subscription 2 months ago, but they're still sending it to me. Like I'm going to buy a $1million SOMA condo or a $50,000 diamond for my wife. Yeah right!

    I'll never forget my first San Francisco magazine. I had just moved to the Bay Area, only to be…read moreheaded on a trip to New Zealand, and I was browsing the airport bookstore for reading materials when I saw it: the extra-large mag with a pic of Gavin Newsom on the front. I was glued to the pages the whole flight and subscribed the second I got back. Those were the heady days of my budding love affair with San Francisco, when the city could do no wrong and waves of discovery were washing over me at an almost unbearable rate. So the magazine was quite helpful for marinating my brain in the local flavor and gaining some semblance of orientation. But now, I've got a lot more personal experience with SF (and, let's face it, I've got Yelp), and the magazine isn't quite the eye-opener it once was. More importantly, though, the city (and, let's face it, Yelp's uber-populist medium/message) has turned me into something of an anti-consumerist eco-hippie, and the dream of high-society hobnobbing and owning that killer loft has palled considerably since I realized I was just being subjected to the incredibly paradoxical mass-marketing of luxury "lifestyles". Unfortunately, though, there are still a lot of Boomers (ok, and some young folks) in this city who subscribe to that dream, and SF Magazine is catering to them more than ever these days. So aside from the excellent "Reporter's Notebook" articles, there really isn't much to interest me anymore, and I find myself on the lookout for a Bay Area lifestyle magazine that caters to my *actual* lifestyle. Sorry SF Mag--to quote one of your ads, you may have overlooked nothing, but I don't actually want to overlook everything.

    SF Weekly - Look in this Thursdays issue of the SF Advertiser for how to get 2 free tickets to Ringling Bros. Circus.

    SF Weekly

    (25 reviews)

    Financial District

    Legal Disclaimer - I am an avid weekly reader of the Anderson Valley Advertiser, East Bay Express,…read moreSF Bay Guardian and the SF Weekly. I am a Yelp Elite member and I have attended their events sober. I have eaten Pork in Danville. There's already an active thread and I'm sure more review posts will be forthcoming in response to this week's SF Weekly article on Yelp. Heck, some business owners who feel that they have previously been wronged by Yelpers might throw 5 Star "pay-back's a bitch" review grenades, while hiding relatively anonymously behind their profiles. I am of course disappointed that my reviews were not mentioned or that as a 50-ish single father, my life wasn't reduced to a cartoonish stereotype (like being labelled a narcissistic twit). At the same time, this me-too article (the first appearing in the East Bay Express) doesn't pretend to pass as journalism. And when you consider the SF Bay Guardian's relatively recent success in litigating some of the SF Weekly's business practices, it is often useful to consider the source of your information. One Yelp "friend" recently questioned my Yelp objectivity, based solely on my Elite Status. And over time, after having 3 of my own reviews pulled and complaining long and loud not only to the Yelp HQ, but once to Jeremy himself, I guess he forgot to tell me that to some, Elite Status might also mean Yelp Toad. Not this time.

    I have read SF Weekly every Wednesday for as long as I can remember…read more Highly recommended over the Guardian or East Bay Express, both of which I find incredibly boring and bland. My favorite aspect of SF Weekly is for discovering upcoming live shows, be it a big stadium gig, or some obscure band that is playing Cafe Du Nord or Bottom of the Hill. This is what I used before the " interwebz" and gosh darn it, this is still gonna be my go to for " useful" " funny" or " cool" events in the Bay Area.

    The Aesthetic Union - printmedia - Updated September 2026

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