About Stumps

Thank you for visiting Stumps Prom & Party! Since 1926, Stumps has been America’s favorite for Prom and party supplies. From coast to coast, we’ve played a pivotal role in transforming millions of special events from ordinary to extraordinary. When we first introduced the first memory book and the first decorations for Prom more than 84 years ago, who would have imagined what Prom would ultimately become!

Take a look at some of Stumps vintage catalog covers below. You can see that we’ve come a long way over the years!

1970	1989	1992	2006

Celebrating 84 Great Years!
Since 1926, Stumps has been America’s favorite for Prom and party supplies. From coast to coast, we’ve played a pivotal role in transforming millions of special events from ordinary to extraordinary. When we introduced the first “memorie” book and the first decorations for Prom, who would have imagined what Stumps would ultimately become!

History of Stumps

Hubert Stump founded Stumps in 1926 in South Whitley, Indiana, a small town located just outside Fort Wayne, Indiana. The original Stumps Printing Company was started primarily as a commercial printer and local newspaper publisher. As local legend has it, in the depths of the Depression, Hubert Stump was left with one nickel that he could either use to buy a loaf of bread or put in the church collection plate. Hubert, as the story goes, put the nickel in the collection plate. The next day, Hubert came up with the concept of the “Memorie” booklet, a printed favor for Proms and Junior-Senior receptions. The “Memorie” booklet was a great success.

Over the next decade, Stumps continued to expand and began to print products for schools like lunch tickets, menus, athletic schedules, and award certificates. In the 1940s, Stumps introduced crepe streamers, balloons, and even the first large-area decorating theme kit (Evening in Paris) to its offerings. In the 1960s, it introduced the first full-color catalog featuring numerous theme kits. Stumps also moved to a new manufacturing and distribution facility in 1962.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Stumps grew rapidly, and the company changed dramatically. Stumps began offering the first personalized favors for high-school students and party concepts were added to the company with a new special occasion catalog.

In 1990, Shep and Wendy Moyle purchased Stumps. Since that time the company has moved aggressively to focus on 100% customer satisfaction, exceptional quality, and solid product values.