Vancouver Letterpress League April meetup and blog
Hello Vancouver Letterpress League and lovers of letterpress: Imagine if that line was handset in type? I’d be out of Ls by now. I’d like to propose an informal gathering in April, and announce a new blog: http://letterpressleague.wordpress.com/ There’s about 30 people on the VLL mailing list now. We’re an eclectic bunch of printers, designers, students, professionals, ...
Two Vancouver Letterpress updates
Two Vancouver letterpress updates from this week. Over tea and beer, the Vancouver Letterpress League has formed. We’re an informal group of letterpress printers (both commercial/jobbers and fine press), bookbinders, graphic designers, and artists. Some of us are hobbyists or starting on letterpress-related paths others are more experienced. Everyone is welcome. The idea is to meet ...
Letterpress 101: Rollers
My Chandler and Price 12×18 press has room for 4 rollers. For a long time I used only 2 as I saved up for a new set. The new rollers have arrived and I am singing their praises. If you’re new to letterpress or just curious, here are some things to know about letterpress rollers: ...
Letterpress 101: Gauge Pins
I use a platen press for letterpress printing: the press opens and closes when it’s in motion. This means that the paper needs to be secured so it doesn’t fall to the floor during the printing process. The proper way to secure the paper is to use gauge pins. There are examples in the photo ...
How it works: Letterpress Part 1
Today I spent the day in the garage with my new letterpress, a Chandler and Price 12×18. (Here’s how we met.) Ink smells great. I learned a great deal about oiling, rollers, and bearings today. Here’s some photos to demystify the process a little. This is Part 1: getting the press ready.
Letterpress 101: a blind impression
It’s possible to print letterpress without using ink. It’s called a ‘blind impression’ and it leaves an unmistakable mark on the page. Depending on the treatment, it can lend texture or be the centre of a minimalist design. I was working with blind impression today for a thank you card run. Tips for a blind ...
Letterpress 101: Photopolymer
You’ve designed a beautiful invitation on the computer, including a specific font and a unique drawing. You’d like it letterpress printed, but are wondering how that happens. (Or you’re wondering how someone else makes that happen.) The easiest way is to work with photopolymer plates. A photopolymer plate is made from a computer file by ...
Like a baby announcement, but heavier
Last week I rescued a letterpress before it got melted for cast iron frying pans. It is a Chandler and Price press made between 1881-1900. I’m excited and nervous. It feels like I should send out baby announcements. Like other lovers for all things letterpress, I look at briarpress.org regularly, but this was a lucky ...
