I found this great letterpress video today. The video takes a look inside a very traditional press shop named Firefly Press in the New England area. This printer is very experienced too; he even casts his own lead type!!! He has some valuable thoughts on type, and the direction of letterpress in the future. Anyways, you can check it out here... and let me know what you think.
Showing posts with label letterpress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letterpress. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Update on my printing press...
Happy Friday everyone! Sorry I've been somewhat M.I.A. lately... I've been VERY busy on this 4th of July week. I did want to post a brief update on what's going on with the Kelsey printing press I got a few weeks ago. Recently last week, I finished the cleaning of the type cabinet and press. It was dirty job, but look at it now!
I'd like to get the press a little more cleaner, but that would require taking parts off, which I don't feel comfortable doing right now. Maybe that will be a project I take on later when I get more experienced with the press. If anyone has ideas on this, please let me know.
I had ordered some supplies from NA Graphics a few weeks back, and finally got those supplies last week. NA Graphics was very helpful, but I learned you need to be patient with your order especially if they don't have the item in stock. I would advise you to call NA Graphics before you place an online order, as they won't notify you if they don't have it in stock. But the owner, Fritz, was very helpful when I called.
Unfortunately, I'm still waiting on the new rollers I ordered a few weeks ago. They are being shipped from the UK, so I'm unsure on how long it's going to take. I feel like it's taking forever. I ordered these rollers off of Ebay. There's a store called Bakers Row, where they sell a bunch of letterpress supplies and equipment. They seemed much cheaper than some of the other makers. I got my rollers for $100 and that's including shipping costs. The other rollers I was looking at were priced at $140 and that's not including shipping cost.
WAIT! NEWS FLASH. As I was writing this post, my rollers were just delivered. Oh hallelujah!
I'd like to get the press a little more cleaner, but that would require taking parts off, which I don't feel comfortable doing right now. Maybe that will be a project I take on later when I get more experienced with the press. If anyone has ideas on this, please let me know.
I had ordered some supplies from NA Graphics a few weeks back, and finally got those supplies last week. NA Graphics was very helpful, but I learned you need to be patient with your order especially if they don't have the item in stock. I would advise you to call NA Graphics before you place an online order, as they won't notify you if they don't have it in stock. But the owner, Fritz, was very helpful when I called.
Unfortunately, I'm still waiting on the new rollers I ordered a few weeks ago. They are being shipped from the UK, so I'm unsure on how long it's going to take. I feel like it's taking forever. I ordered these rollers off of Ebay. There's a store called Bakers Row, where they sell a bunch of letterpress supplies and equipment. They seemed much cheaper than some of the other makers. I got my rollers for $100 and that's including shipping costs. The other rollers I was looking at were priced at $140 and that's not including shipping cost.
WAIT! NEWS FLASH. As I was writing this post, my rollers were just delivered. Oh hallelujah!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Work, Websites, Weddings, oh my!
This week is turning out to be very busy for me, which is always a good thing! Along with my full-time graphic/web designer job, I have a few freelance projects I'm juggling. Plus, I've started my training for the Chicago Marathon. All very time comsuming... if I could only have more time!!
One of the freelance projects I'm working on is designing a new website for a past client. I had designed their website a few years back, and now, it's in much need of a new look. I can't emphasize how important it is to keep a website updated. I see so many sites out there that have incorrect info on it, old images, plus let's not forgot that web design programs change too. I recently upgraded to Dreamweaver 8 from MX, and have had some problems when opening the files saved in older versions. And now, Adobe just came out with CS3! Can I just tell you that I JUST bought CS2 a few months ago!!! It's very frustrating - can I ever keep up with ever-changing software these days!!! NOPE. I remember when I was in college I bought Photoshop 5.0 - yes that's right folks, 5.0!! Seems like ancient history now - and I'm sure all the design college kids these days would laugh about that one. However, I was reading my latest issue of HOW magazine on my way work this morning and they had a very good article on what's new in CS3. Maybe I'll put some of the features they mention in my next blog post.
Anyway, another project I'm working on are Save-the-Date cards. These are going to be letterpressed and I very excited to see the finish product. They are looking to be very cute! We just formalized most the text, so now it's onto deciding ink color and envelope color.
That's all for now! Have a great day!
One of the freelance projects I'm working on is designing a new website for a past client. I had designed their website a few years back, and now, it's in much need of a new look. I can't emphasize how important it is to keep a website updated. I see so many sites out there that have incorrect info on it, old images, plus let's not forgot that web design programs change too. I recently upgraded to Dreamweaver 8 from MX, and have had some problems when opening the files saved in older versions. And now, Adobe just came out with CS3! Can I just tell you that I JUST bought CS2 a few months ago!!! It's very frustrating - can I ever keep up with ever-changing software these days!!! NOPE. I remember when I was in college I bought Photoshop 5.0 - yes that's right folks, 5.0!! Seems like ancient history now - and I'm sure all the design college kids these days would laugh about that one. However, I was reading my latest issue of HOW magazine on my way work this morning and they had a very good article on what's new in CS3. Maybe I'll put some of the features they mention in my next blog post.
Anyway, another project I'm working on are Save-the-Date cards. These are going to be letterpressed and I very excited to see the finish product. They are looking to be very cute! We just formalized most the text, so now it's onto deciding ink color and envelope color.
That's all for now! Have a great day!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Here we go!
I learned to letterpress about 4 years ago when I was in art school. Ever since then, I have absolutely loved it. I'm very fortunate to being living in a city (which is Chicago) that has an excellent letterpress studio. Columbia College maintains this studio and has a variety of different presses... about 6 Vandercooks, a few C&Ps, and even a polymer plate machine. It's great!!
But I've always wanted my own press and, recently (last weekend) that wish came true (thanks to some great support from my boyfriend). Given the size of my condo, I can only manage a small hand press. It's Kelsey 5x8, and in very good condition! I love it! And I will definitely post pics of it later.
It also came with a type cabinet, type, and a collection of odds and ends. I've started to clean this out within the past few days. Boy, this thing is dirty! This guy definitely had a cat because there are clumps of hair everywhere. Anyway, it's also very interesting too.. just take a look at what I found inside these drawers.
Look at this closely... it's original Kelsey Printing Ink!!!
But I've always wanted my own press and, recently (last weekend) that wish came true (thanks to some great support from my boyfriend). Given the size of my condo, I can only manage a small hand press. It's Kelsey 5x8, and in very good condition! I love it! And I will definitely post pics of it later.
It also came with a type cabinet, type, and a collection of odds and ends. I've started to clean this out within the past few days. Boy, this thing is dirty! This guy definitely had a cat because there are clumps of hair everywhere. Anyway, it's also very interesting too.. just take a look at what I found inside these drawers.
Look at this closely... it's original Kelsey Printing Ink!!!
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