Letterpress printing ".. puts a bite into paper like no other digital press…"
The age-old art and process of Letterpress printing. It is not just for show, for although it carves a far superior mark and ink distribution on paper than any modern printing press, it is also a functional way to reproduce words on paper for distribution.
Watch this neat movie on the art of Letterpress printing here:
“.. puts a bite into paper like no other digital press…” History of printing – the letterpress:
Did you notice the “damaged characters” issue? let’s call that “preflight!”
And, check this out, there is an entire Letterpress movement going on. Very interesting:
Letterpress Printing and Printers
Letterpress printing from raised metal type was the primary means of mass communication for over 500 years. While no longer an economically significant segment of the printing market, letterpress continues to live on for specialized commercial applications and, perhaps more importantly, as the heart and soul of a wonderful avocational world known as the private press movement. Crane, the luxury paper company, has prepared a lovely brochure explaining letterpress so that you can be an informed customer for high-quality letterpress work. If you are not interested in printing yourself, but simply want the unique look and feel that results from this classic process, many of the thousands of letterpress printers in the world would be pleased to undertake a commission for you, whether for a wedding invitation or an entire book. Links and contact information for letterpress printers are available in a state by state directory from Crane, a nice list put together by HOW magazine, and in the (comprehensive but out of date) International Directory of Private Presses. If, however, you have decided to take the plunge and try your own hand at this most wonderful of artistic crafts, take heart from words of J. Ben Lieberman, the father of the American Chappel movement in the late twentieth century:“YOU can print! You can do real printing, even if now you can’t tighten a nut, can’t boil water, can’t tell type from tape, live in one room with three other people, and have to hoard your money… It’s simple, it’s fun, it’s useful, and you’ll have something to show!“
Printing as a hobby (which, by the way, happens to be the name of Lieberman’s book) knows no boundaries of age, language or gender. Mike O’Connor founded the Amalgamated Printers’ Association when he was only fifteen, and Rebecca Davidson has curated a wonderful exhibition honoring women printers through the years. So now, if you’re ready to start, let’s jump right in!
Source: http://www.fiveroses.org/intro.htm
Remember to use FlightCheck Professional to preflight your files for quality print output.
