Pee-Chee Graffiti!

The Ultimate Canvass for Self Expression!

Greetings, nostalgia fans! Time to break out the ballpoint pens, Sharpies, and White-Out as we look back at the most defaced school supply ever, The Pee-Chee All Season Portfolio. In my latest video, I gave this classic folder a monster makeover transforming it from Pee-Chee to Skee-Chee! If you feel like doing a little Pee-Chee graffiti yourself, download this free template and start sketching!

Few school supplies have achieved the same cultural significance as the Pee-Chee All Season Portfolio. First introduced in 1943 by the Western Tablet and Stationery Company, these folders quickly became a staple of American classrooms. With their mustard-yellow hue and screen-printed illustrations of student-athletes in action, they were designed to help organize papers. However, the unassuming artwork made them the perfect canvas for creativity, leading to decades of student-driven modifications.

One of the simplest yet most common ways students customized their Pee-Chee folders was by adding stickers. From popular cartoon characters to skateboarding brands, stickers transformed the covers into personal collages. Some students meticulously arranged their stickers to cover every inch, while others used them sparingly to accentuate doodles or slogans they had already scribbled onto the folder.

Band logos were another popular form of customization. Whether sketched with ballpoint pens or traced in thick permanent marker, the names and symbols of punk, metal, and hip-hop bands often covered the folders. Bands like Kiss, AC-DC, The Clash, Black Flag, and The Ramones found an unofficial place in school hallways through the folders of devoted fans, serving as a subtle rebellion against authority and mainstream culture.

Counter-culture themes often made their way onto Pee-Chee folders as well, reflecting the attitudes and identities of students who wanted to challenge the status quo. Drawings of skulls, psychedelic patterns, and anti-establishment messages frequently appeared alongside or over the original sports-themed artwork. Some students used the space to express an affinity for underground movements, from skateboarding culture to the DIY ethics of zine-making and street art.

Political statements also found their way onto Pee-Chee folders, particularly during times of social upheaval. From anti-war messages in the 1960s and '70s to slogans advocating for civil rights, environmentalism, and free speech, students used their folders as mini protest signs. Even today artists like Patrick Martinez use the vintage Pee-Chee aesthetic to bring awareness to rising concerns surrounding police brutality and social unrest.

Today, while the digital organization has largely replaced traditional school folders, the Pee-Chee portfolio remains an enduring symbol of student creativity and individuality. Nostalgic reproductions and new artistic takes on the classic design continue to surface, proving that the Pee-Chee folder was never just a school supply—it was a cultural statement.

Did you grow up with Pee-Chee? How did you decorate your Pee-Che folder? Let me know by leaving a comment.

Don't forget, my Patreon has an archive of all the project files I’ve created, Including My new Skree-Chee folder

That's all for this month. Until next time, keep making your mark!