Letterpress

Letterpress printing is making a huge comeback not only with print buffs but with people who want something different. It looks nothing like digital printing and has its own distinctive look and feel. When you have seen letterpress printing you will realise it leaves an impression in more ways than one, each of the letters are assembled individually and then ink is loaded to the roller plate. When impressions are made into thick cotton paper it is embossed and the letters sit deeply into the paper. We will be offering letterpress printing for wedding stationery, invitations and exclusive business card printing.  We will be releasing art cards and notes, limited edition prints and also using it for blind embossing. As soon as I can I will post some samples.

In June 1953, the Adana Eight-Five was unveiled costing £16.80.

“It’s still used commercially for things like high-class business cards, fancy wedding invitations, homely Farmers’ Market jam jar labels… and there are fine art private presses who publish limited edition books for collectors.

Letterpress is making a come back in colleges and there’s a large band of letterpress enthusiasts to be found, worldwide, printing just for the love of it.

Letterpress printing is extremely time consuming and labour intensive and in an age of lithography and digital printing it might seem like wasted effort. It isn’t an alternative to modern, commercial printing techniques but it retains its place as a craft ideally suited to producing beautiful things in small quantities.” Happy Dragon

Our Adana

At the moment our Adana 8×5 has a small corner in our studio, as we are rapidly running short of space. Imported from the UK and lovingly packed, it arrived in perfect condition despite a good inspection at customs.  New rollers, a quick wipe over and in perfect working order.  Along with the press I have purchased some divine fonts.  If you are after a great font foundary, visit Schulyer at Skyline Type Foundary. Sky is extremely helpful and his products are excellent. The typefaces are perfectly made and he will ship goods out as quick as a flash. Go visit his site, the tone is very dry and very funny. When he emails me he says: “Nice to hear from you down under!” (always makes me smile!).

Side Note: The desk at right, is a 100 year old “Stamp Desk” It came from Matheson Postoffice in northern NSW, between Inverell and Glen Innes.  This desk was used to stamp letters as they came in and were sorted. There are deep ink stains on it and carvings made by bored postal workers. (I assume) When I got it, 20 years ago, it was thickly painted gun metal grey. The knob has a hand carved thread. Ive left all the stains and carvings in it because I love the history it brings.