tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90297825204750205412024-02-20T09:19:20.676-08:00lizardpressI am a graphic designer and have been teaching typography, graphic design, and book design for nearly a decade. Recently rediscovering the beauty of tones and textures of the letterpress, I opened Lizard Press Letterpress in San Francisco to indulge in my passion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-55431656356526771552010-08-22T08:08:00.000-07:002010-08-22T10:04:18.328-07:002011 Forgotten Saints Calendar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrwnz0fZFNYbMA020aikNhPVEEc4SA1rdl_wad6CI3296e-G5CUjTrP_yf3vJ0ckf5aL84fEkzEIE__GPCM_vQVilE-KxN3x6AAzA-HA3RGDmTqEdwaMdiWNDP4TBoQkddCTdc-vH9N0/s1600/IMG_0250_forgotten_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrwnz0fZFNYbMA020aikNhPVEEc4SA1rdl_wad6CI3296e-G5CUjTrP_yf3vJ0ckf5aL84fEkzEIE__GPCM_vQVilE-KxN3x6AAzA-HA3RGDmTqEdwaMdiWNDP4TBoQkddCTdc-vH9N0/s400/IMG_0250_forgotten_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508277938487356674" /></a><br />As I see, it has been a great while since I posted anything! Starting a world cruise does tend to monopolize time... the 2010 design was not complete until rounding the Baja coast to snatch a photo of the enormous cross, so it is officially the 2011 design. As I told my jealous friend Maia while printing the calendar super early in June--I am always 6 months behind, so it just looks like I am early!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5YbwAY0-fJiVijbbbn2XBT7VTGLAXhhoWs2JHWDDasq4MFEwxAjWgNVCW3hjxNUQiQIRcL8ove9pP9UrfClqgxWq8AAr7oGTbR19ao3allNLwSXz1uA_vWlEYColuE_x-mF5DG7VS5Y/s1600/IMG_0253_forgotten4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5YbwAY0-fJiVijbbbn2XBT7VTGLAXhhoWs2JHWDDasq4MFEwxAjWgNVCW3hjxNUQiQIRcL8ove9pP9UrfClqgxWq8AAr7oGTbR19ao3allNLwSXz1uA_vWlEYColuE_x-mF5DG7VS5Y/s400/IMG_0253_forgotten4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508274970571780018" /></a><br />The now 2011 calendar design was inspired by hearing that Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, was "no longer a Catholic saint". I thought that this was bizarre, a widely revered saint is no longer a saint? <br /><br />Intrigued by this, I did some research, then realized that due to a lack of historical data, quite a few saints were removed from the Roman Catholic General Calendar in the 60's (many are still celebrated on local calendars). I've chosen the ones that seemed most interesting and as well known as I can determine from an outsider's view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFwueqKuM7eYzXgH2A-BUwzPV_Tqzl8YLEnFeG_permyWG5EUGupD2MTKiQOa_DIFgZkEprNyCe40n-aQdC9VDWVTotpqGglINKVszK47C3g_ZToqSMiNR6rp_YRaA5ya8loPgAkJJuY/s1600/IMG_0257_forgotten5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFwueqKuM7eYzXgH2A-BUwzPV_Tqzl8YLEnFeG_permyWG5EUGupD2MTKiQOa_DIFgZkEprNyCe40n-aQdC9VDWVTotpqGglINKVszK47C3g_ZToqSMiNR6rp_YRaA5ya8loPgAkJJuY/s400/IMG_0257_forgotten5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508277375212957842" /></a><br />My desire in exploring this calendar design was to recognize, not only Catholic saints, but as a nod to all those who do good deeds and their memory fades away--here is toast to them!<br /><br />To read more about the calendar, visit <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lizardpress">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-20973547222754447682008-11-15T15:40:00.000-08:002008-11-15T15:55:30.081-08:00calendars for 2009I love hidden messages and meaning in art and calendars are great mediums for experimenting with type and forms!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcB2z7mnei9ASVWO7fKiBa019ym-PREYuEDU1H4d03_HaWhN7Ud6Z7fa9oV6dAulTfkjMWlKFFTECPRLK-re44P36OHOquSNJFNfv4GXW6N8Nd2k35AUbwCgsn_Ft7QDdlEutPJSnGtc/s1600-h/celest_cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcB2z7mnei9ASVWO7fKiBa019ym-PREYuEDU1H4d03_HaWhN7Ud6Z7fa9oV6dAulTfkjMWlKFFTECPRLK-re44P36OHOquSNJFNfv4GXW6N8Nd2k35AUbwCgsn_Ft7QDdlEutPJSnGtc/s400/celest_cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269035070950816578" /></a><br />New for 2009 is a perpetual calendar for birthdays, anniversaries and such! I've been thinking on this one for awhile--I wanted to make it fun, engaging and purposeful all in one. I stumbled on the idea of using the celestial map for background image and then came across Asa Smith's lovely book with illustrations from the 1850 constellation maps and I'm very happy with the results!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDnHLL4Xb6k8GQK5SybYZ8Vz1RM1NP6ezM-vWbfjhi3mpx3GWG_AgDryOiHKbqK2i9X_fokicsigi0t2Zr-ZSzN91J_WfOrrgA5Jt32eqQeDGwX8mRqzBw07NCmnoEn6H_8OhlKtNP-w/s1600-h/celest_may.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDnHLL4Xb6k8GQK5SybYZ8Vz1RM1NP6ezM-vWbfjhi3mpx3GWG_AgDryOiHKbqK2i9X_fokicsigi0t2Zr-ZSzN91J_WfOrrgA5Jt32eqQeDGwX8mRqzBw07NCmnoEn6H_8OhlKtNP-w/s400/celest_may.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269035327818717458" /></a><br />I've also reprinted 2009 editions of my favs, luna and poseidon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZaoR_xYSuL-7d66rRPhpqba4eaOjvmzGjIsZb8EtNZBrtbLxkpFBpzmEgFM8UoNo_xTm_8rbDOKip1OgAR792mZkrpwIUzSAGNoYkDrJtkVt8XKBBKSKHHmNiltIuWb5-8f60OB63jE/s1600-h/Luna09_stretched.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZaoR_xYSuL-7d66rRPhpqba4eaOjvmzGjIsZb8EtNZBrtbLxkpFBpzmEgFM8UoNo_xTm_8rbDOKip1OgAR792mZkrpwIUzSAGNoYkDrJtkVt8XKBBKSKHHmNiltIuWb5-8f60OB63jE/s400/Luna09_stretched.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269035825668168706" /></a><br />Unlike desktop printing, where you can do a quick change and reprint, when printing letterpress, the elements can effect your final outcome and it is not easy to just "reprint". With the lessons learned on the first runs, luna got an upgrade to a more intense moon image background and poseidon is printed in deeper versions of the same colors.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-17886899023002272412008-07-06T14:59:00.000-07:002008-08-17T13:04:31.574-07:00bookworks 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb9yQvbqoRVWF9metWk2TbqjqCHSmYM9s3UW5VD8B7Mg0Mr-D9EhfXqp3VY6IShUYtWGKUUn26fjV1jTTAZMv6NV30RG-gD4kKKOCDTPgQB7QLLcIl_zN07PUf0Tkr-YiWUtGYpU0UtQ/s1600-h/bookworks08_final+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb9yQvbqoRVWF9metWk2TbqjqCHSmYM9s3UW5VD8B7Mg0Mr-D9EhfXqp3VY6IShUYtWGKUUn26fjV1jTTAZMv6NV30RG-gD4kKKOCDTPgQB7QLLcIl_zN07PUf0Tkr-YiWUtGYpU0UtQ/s400/bookworks08_final+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220026900503806370" /></a><br />The past few months I've been kept busy with some great projects, like the logo, signage, labels and catalog for <a href="http://www.sfpl.org/news/exhibitions.htm#jewett">bookworks 2008 </a> <br />as well as my own artists' book <span style="font-style:italic;">nothing</span> which has developed over the past 2 1/2 years to what you can see (part of) here!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsBS33xdfHyHL_fI-V_ff7ZBApfUOEUdJzrA-zDGvismISeokzc6Lu2Iq0NNZ8ibU06IaNWVYij0KVpgWt56KrF7KuMEtHmYe7gEyV91YAkUELrTYjlObxyoXWYwMxkPOuaFjPtbUF_M/s1600-h/i41.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsBS33xdfHyHL_fI-V_ff7ZBApfUOEUdJzrA-zDGvismISeokzc6Lu2Iq0NNZ8ibU06IaNWVYij0KVpgWt56KrF7KuMEtHmYe7gEyV91YAkUELrTYjlObxyoXWYwMxkPOuaFjPtbUF_M/s320/i41.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220026680538495490" /></a><br />photo by <a href="http://boxerpress.typepad.com/">kate godfrey</a><br /><br />You can see more photos of the exhibit at <a href="http://www.greenchairpress.com/2008Bookworks/">greenchair press</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-28252214762689856082008-03-06T09:49:00.000-08:002008-03-06T11:25:06.424-08:00poets pulling printsI was asked to design two broadsides for <a href="http://www.sfcb.org/php/event.php?id=t1-020108-evt">SFCB's Poets Pulling Prints,</a> which was an interesting challege—the poetry and quotes I choose to use in my work are design dependent and are usually from authors from earlier centuries, not modern poets and designed to the author's words.<br /><br />In my approach, I used <a href="http://www.stbride.org/friends/conference/twentiethcenturygraphiccommunication/BeatriceWarde.html">Beatrice Warde's</a> philosophy on the <a href="http://gmunch.home.pipeline.com/typo-L/misc/ward.htm"><span style="font-style:italic;">Crystal Goblet,</span></a> that the typography should enhance the text, not detract from it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMYmK2TSApl_4C0-2Y8xyH_1sPD13CetEe29jzX4F1_CvUBTCosqqibUZQoV5LsgFF4133JoP7sV8hjPQyDD07luPzTidZSIRZndFrlp8tbnaqqejKyJEXrYoOpJ7WgZR-I4BDCKvVVM/s1600-h/poem_milestone_IMG_6555sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMYmK2TSApl_4C0-2Y8xyH_1sPD13CetEe29jzX4F1_CvUBTCosqqibUZQoV5LsgFF4133JoP7sV8hjPQyDD07luPzTidZSIRZndFrlp8tbnaqqejKyJEXrYoOpJ7WgZR-I4BDCKvVVM/s320/poem_milestone_IMG_6555sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174697370792768514" /></a><br />For Emily Raabe's <span style="font-style:italic;">Milestones,</span> the colors green, blue and brown immediately came to mind. Her passage through time and space had a definite weaving and intertwining quality. The introduction of interlacing random threads was an immediate idea and worked well in theory and on the press. <a href="http://www.emigre.com/EF.php?fid=109">Mrs Eaves</a> was chosen as the text face because it's excellent letterpress results and the modern feel of a rendition of Baskerville, a 18th centry typeface design.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF3j9rrx3eaVUKtKRXXm81gnMyehxl2967u3zhj9SKmBnq55pubaA1Iq_WNCrBbP56UIYilMds0LEmfRC5I6HtBNxYyrvc1aJVdhmiEfRmmLa4R21HWryD4fC7kyuJiU8ffP7ZBzjW9I/s1600-h/inher_poem_IMG_6560_sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF3j9rrx3eaVUKtKRXXm81gnMyehxl2967u3zhj9SKmBnq55pubaA1Iq_WNCrBbP56UIYilMds0LEmfRC5I6HtBNxYyrvc1aJVdhmiEfRmmLa4R21HWryD4fC7kyuJiU8ffP7ZBzjW9I/s320/inher_poem_IMG_6560_sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174697542591460370" /></a><br />For Brent Foster Jones' poem, the imagery was more challenging. My first thoughts went to the vivid text of pools/circles of red, harsh yellow lines, blue folders/squares, but after playing with these elements and colors, the imagery always overtook the text. Deeper thoughts into lifelines/ekg lines and stock market graphs resulted in very simple interacting visuals that sang to the text, not taking over. The line elements were paired with <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/agfa/dinschrift/">DIN Schrift,</a> a crisp and clear typeface with a European flair, used in Germany for transit signage.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-54916214262529262282008-02-08T12:29:00.000-08:002008-03-01T13:16:14.086-08:00should you print your own wedding invites?If you are thinking about going down the route of letterpress printing your own wedding invites, the first question you should seriously consider is: Do you WANT letterpress or do you want to PRESS your own invites?<br /><br />If you WANT letterpressed invites, you should go with a vendor who has experience with the demands and requirements of letterpress printing—do you really need extra stress during this time?<br /><br />Letterpress IS expensive, the equipment and expertise necessary drives this, but some things to think about when you are deciding on your invites...<br /><br />1. Do you need the entire package? Instead of an overindulgence of paper and envelope, a simple (but elegant) card and response postcard would reduce the press time and the price.<br /><br />2. Do you need multi-colors? A 1-color job is half the time on the press than a 2-color job and no registration needed!<br /><br />3. Do you need your own design and colors? Wedding letterpress printers will have house designs that they print in bulk and add your information on to their already pressed stock.<br /><br />4. Do you need your invites to be printed by a commercial letterpress printer? Letterpress is picking up steam and many small, but experienced printers have less overhead, give you a better price and work with you on your design.<br /><br />If you want to PRESS your own invites, and say "I did this!" Then go for it! Do keep in mind that it will not necessary be "cheaper", you will need to take classes, rent/buy equipment, and have some trial and error (i.e. time).<br /><br />***As mentioned by "Right Out Loud", if you are looking for "perfect" letterpress, go with an expert—graphic designers looking for exact alignment will not get that on a first try—think "organic" for your first letterpress project, perfection comes with lots of practice!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-26747747124155621342008-02-07T19:39:00.000-08:002008-03-01T13:09:26.716-08:007º broadsides (#2 & #6 pictured)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmctUJPL69aTVjtfhlcc9vK8rejHvAS4Na0kBI3sX0ppQ-8uzTgpoVA7Vef3hj9GkXuvy5adn8hD7KOCDF_AqAe-yKJcuSpRzOheXszxnWJEjSbcuDsBCCysImRhgQJWLX6B5fJTOmuWQ/s1600-h/7d2_IMG_6532_etsysm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmctUJPL69aTVjtfhlcc9vK8rejHvAS4Na0kBI3sX0ppQ-8uzTgpoVA7Vef3hj9GkXuvy5adn8hD7KOCDF_AqAe-yKJcuSpRzOheXszxnWJEjSbcuDsBCCysImRhgQJWLX6B5fJTOmuWQ/s400/7d2_IMG_6532_etsysm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172882080563854690" /></a><br />This is a new poster series based on 7 circles ranging from 1/2-inch to 4-inches printed in 2 colors, each color has 2 runs on the letterpress, for a total of 4 press runs. There are a total of 7 broadsides.<br /><br />The organic play is determined on the press and each design is a different interaction. The colors are:<br />#1 Grape and Kiwi<br />#2 Kiwi and Blueberry<br />#3 Blueberry and Chocolate<br />#4 Chocolate and Watermelon#5 Watermelon and Cherry<br />#6 Cherry and Orange<br />#7 Orange and Lemon<br /><br />7 degrees is a spin on the ideology of six degrees of separation, and that in our circular lives, we not only connect within one realm, but we have many different realms, the closer the realms are together, the easier they can interact (#1 and #2 will work together, but #1 and #4 will not work so well). The proper title rendering is 7 and the degree symbol (a small circle).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mkaWdm4w9sWifpZ9FTQdod5tKSMdlHDOceyynkejDExvbgO1a7YQv4Mwyufl3UvlspKk0TMvawHHlbbhxM-1uX7tIwVxWCluBUxPWFN0NBIpRASbkf74gn_jKVhhS5CFsPvd6DVU9tw/s1600-h/7d6_IMG_6546etsy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mkaWdm4w9sWifpZ9FTQdod5tKSMdlHDOceyynkejDExvbgO1a7YQv4Mwyufl3UvlspKk0TMvawHHlbbhxM-1uX7tIwVxWCluBUxPWFN0NBIpRASbkf74gn_jKVhhS5CFsPvd6DVU9tw/s400/7d6_IMG_6546etsy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172881419138891090" /></a><br /><br />Each poster is about 8x13.5 (varies slightly due to deckle/rough edge), printed on Johnnot mould made cotton paper, signed and numbered by the artist by the deckle edge at the bottom [not shown in photo]. <br /><br />Please note that paper is a very soft off-white and to not blow out the paper texture detail, the photographs are slightly on the dark side. Also, do look at a close up view--the delicate impression on the soft paper is much more visible in the larger image view.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-77404024942883599512008-02-07T19:26:00.000-08:002008-02-07T19:39:03.504-08:00seeing double?No, it is not a mistake! Instead of sending it through the recycling process again, to reduce waste (and to give you a snipet of another design), all of my business cards are printed on our test prints, remainders, or less-than-perfect prints.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioes7HN_HpEPNg5vWnl1UzjNOW3lQLZfnGH-43WtsUCCzZiZcFcPV4C-MVhjuv8G9g6EIQBiYJgfLYL52i9dV_XMG8qNL4TutJ1g5zcaCxHLGX3pXUK9T6BbVi2hPCQBTr4MRXd0zM1Us/s1600-h/bus_cards_IMG_5818.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioes7HN_HpEPNg5vWnl1UzjNOW3lQLZfnGH-43WtsUCCzZiZcFcPV4C-MVhjuv8G9g6EIQBiYJgfLYL52i9dV_XMG8qNL4TutJ1g5zcaCxHLGX3pXUK9T6BbVi2hPCQBTr4MRXd0zM1Us/s400/bus_cards_IMG_5818.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164448298562994914" /></a><br />Pictured here are the leftover 2007 elios calendars, which make a very nice organic background if I say so myself!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-76419308414145234572007-11-04T12:16:00.000-08:002007-11-04T12:43:29.605-08:00new artists' calendar: poseidon 2008Every year for the annual <a href="http://www.sfcb.org/php/event.php?id=t3-113007-evt">PCBA Calendar Show,</a> I enter a design that reflects the thoughts I've been brewing over the last year and incorporate a calendar into the design. The 2008 Lizard Press artists' calendar is based on the lure and the lore of the sea. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgzANTYFnzuzI55h-Ene-ZGf9L7hpDHFV06_9PMrqaOeJ_vFioAneSzunx7PC1qbjDFW7xcC7sIlx5NiGsZhxnnass1d3BR-VIzR4m1WAaH8uHF4L8HIXKkXK4rB-LFkf9jauO3iKMhM/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.13494947.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgzANTYFnzuzI55h-Ene-ZGf9L7hpDHFV06_9PMrqaOeJ_vFioAneSzunx7PC1qbjDFW7xcC7sIlx5NiGsZhxnnass1d3BR-VIzR4m1WAaH8uHF4L8HIXKkXK4rB-LFkf9jauO3iKMhM/s400/il_fullxfull.13494947.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129084933373443122" /></a><br />Represented by a photograph of a modern day sailor, Poseidon rules over 2008. Poseidon's chariot is pulled by an old etching of a hippocampus, half horse, half sea creature and accompanied by a quote from Jacques Cousteau, "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMti6QabT8vQN4ZiziaI3kjVHyjNG8laIeV5H_qM-vbvYt0j-09VgFB6UgxVsq_R9Igx2jq5yBj8Cy5V0Harg6dDZGp-WJeJNZ9bbPUio75PkYoqPQQC-c1xVKzoEjWv76d7HmnBb1Nk/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.13494668.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMti6QabT8vQN4ZiziaI3kjVHyjNG8laIeV5H_qM-vbvYt0j-09VgFB6UgxVsq_R9Igx2jq5yBj8Cy5V0Harg6dDZGp-WJeJNZ9bbPUio75PkYoqPQQC-c1xVKzoEjWv76d7HmnBb1Nk/s320/il_fullxfull.13494668.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129085620568210498" /></a><br />To give a sense of timelessness, a photograph of a 1695 explorer's map, I took at the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library, is used as a backdrop. The original map was completely hand illustrated, including the rendering of Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite, and an ontourage of nymphs.<br /><br />The calendar is a linear one, for reference, outlines are supplied for Fridays, the day sailors avoid for beginning an ocean voyage (and also the day to look forward for the rest of us to start the weekend!) The sea gulls are included to guide the sailor home to land after a long voyage at sea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iZlqGx2TVI8-lEFeyCtSi7cOKVCno45E7zGJfmbmAOZ5ocZgfCQaxj-VIE9B82B9jTXaAsx7QwhBl5eExUgN9hSKKvDzBV4PH11xrjzDFePvaCBH4H1pdsSxNldPmADolCJUMqq8ulc/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.13494843.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iZlqGx2TVI8-lEFeyCtSi7cOKVCno45E7zGJfmbmAOZ5ocZgfCQaxj-VIE9B82B9jTXaAsx7QwhBl5eExUgN9hSKKvDzBV4PH11xrjzDFePvaCBH4H1pdsSxNldPmADolCJUMqq8ulc/s320/il_fullxfull.13494843.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129085839611542610" /></a><br />Poseidon 2008 is printed on Kitakata, a handmade, tree free paper from Japan of 100% Philippine gampi. Kitakata has a delicate and subtle natural laid pattern and in the design, the bottom natural deckle has been maintained. It is a very strong paper, adding the perfect texture for a map.<br /><br />The calendar is a limited run of 150 and can be purchased while available at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5086228">lizardpress letterpress.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-19359954778478872422007-10-15T14:35:00.000-07:002007-10-15T14:44:18.585-07:00polymer platesI've had a few requests on information on polymer plates, and posting initial info here and I'll come back to edit it soon...<br /><br />I actually make my plates myself, I took a class at <a href="http://sfcb.org/php/classes.php?id=t2-080607-prt">SFCB</a><br /><br />I rent time on the SFCB's platemaker, which run about 5 thou to purchase, but I have also heard you can use the sun for longer exposure, but I haven't tried that myself.<br /><br />And <a href="http://www.briarpress.org/">Briar Press</a> is a good source for info and finding sources in your area.<br /><br />Also, most people I know who don't make there own plates go to <a href="http://www.boxcarpress.com/">boxcar</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-24380699837212661492007-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:002007-11-23T10:42:52.839-08:00letterpress inksThere are two main types of ink used on the letterpress, oil-based and rubber-based. Oil-based dries very quickly and is best for coated stock (where the ink can't soak into the paper) and should be cleaned off the press within the hour. Rubber-based is best with porous paper that the ink can soak into and can be left on the press for days, which is helpful when you are printing a long running job.<br /><br />Ink is usually sold in 1lb cans, which if you are printing occasionally, is going to last you a lifetime. <a href="http://order.nagraph.com/ink.html">NA Graphics</a> sells in 1/4 tubes that would be more convenient to the small run printer. I purchase my <a href="http://www.vansonink.com/rubber_base_inks.aspx">Van Son Rubber-Based</a> inks from <a href="http://kellypaper.com/">Kelly Paper,</a> which is right down the street from me. They can mix Pantone® colors for me by the next morning for $30 / lb.<br /><br />I use rubber-based inks because of the ability to print consecutive days as well as the over print effect of layering colors that is a feature in most of my designs, as in "time passages" below.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJnlE9LBK0XIDgMnbBmtuYs_-_4g2A9hrOgJed5bkx71stMKcjYTnn48Y1jR6sBsk0L9vss5_QxAQEOxGMj7Fjb1eG3CQe2W6hFYNqTHzu0zRq8erTMwjMPSLim-Z1EXUb6UYh70ffgU/s1600-h/timepassages_IMG_1635.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJnlE9LBK0XIDgMnbBmtuYs_-_4g2A9hrOgJed5bkx71stMKcjYTnn48Y1jR6sBsk0L9vss5_QxAQEOxGMj7Fjb1eG3CQe2W6hFYNqTHzu0zRq8erTMwjMPSLim-Z1EXUb6UYh70ffgU/s400/timepassages_IMG_1635.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116414707768418978" /></a><br />There is also soy-based ink, which I have limited knowledge and experience with, here is a <a href="http://www.briarpress.org/4115">Briar Press</a> thread about them that seems to be the most concise knowledge I've found. <br /><br />Pantone® inks used for the letterpress are not "letterpress inks" they are generally made for offset printing (a much larger market), but will work fine with letterpress, but here are a few things from my experience to keep in mind in their transfered use.<br /><br />1. The Pantone® inks will print darker on the letterpress. The inks are thin for offset use, therefore on the letterpress, to get the right coverage, the color will usually end up the next darker shade on the Pantone® chart.<br /><br />2. Paper is an added colorization factor. The tone of the paper will interact with the resulting color, here are two cards I used "orange" Pantone® 123, the one on Fox River Confetti Yellow appears burnt orange, while the one on Johannot mouldmade is bright orange.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuDY8DJr5G3j32GYWYrcoE6XPC_eZR1_UW2SOZD-2Qdw5eVGPMTIz7ecghBF_MuBSD46RJrN2osbr-QBY9-TjVGQMDoPoY1avhh8HNkieY-TTPNbUIdEYn6RqFznOJYYwDHcP4v0MNCE/s1600-h/thankuorange_IMG_8542.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuDY8DJr5G3j32GYWYrcoE6XPC_eZR1_UW2SOZD-2Qdw5eVGPMTIz7ecghBF_MuBSD46RJrN2osbr-QBY9-TjVGQMDoPoY1avhh8HNkieY-TTPNbUIdEYn6RqFznOJYYwDHcP4v0MNCE/s200/thankuorange_IMG_8542.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116418809462186690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rbsB6jvI0Cq9t83SSvb-Va1O8ydg59iRW2dGi6_s55-1UFEbLY_tBNmHE_X53JLRued5uhMoxT9WF2z4ghSpnpvPDGrusqb4zvYBSIW3VoLeEXe6IBM7BdX4MYngt2ilZydCXi1E-og/s1600-h/astral_sun_2_IMG_8574.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rbsB6jvI0Cq9t83SSvb-Va1O8ydg59iRW2dGi6_s55-1UFEbLY_tBNmHE_X53JLRued5uhMoxT9WF2z4ghSpnpvPDGrusqb4zvYBSIW3VoLeEXe6IBM7BdX4MYngt2ilZydCXi1E-og/s200/astral_sun_2_IMG_8574.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116418311245980338" /></a><br /><br />3. Coverage will effect the color depth. With a light amount of ink on the press, the print results will be light and with heavy ink coverage, the depth will be depended. Both images below were taken under the same lighting conditions, same impression, the only difference is in their ink coverage, which is easily shown here on a image that requires a large amount of ink.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrLXFBTkxDvhywDPYdUWS-KLuzzWoDMOf2dSNTu6H6AAWFA-Xg4ePMMBp-Zb9fUbzOkvvcZueMPej7_JimQL6J44KnKeq8nBIls7fiKKzxIfHVygcBMIpjhjxE2zJJeXLIEO99iGCtfI/s1600-h/morris_think_gr_bez_IMG_1600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrLXFBTkxDvhywDPYdUWS-KLuzzWoDMOf2dSNTu6H6AAWFA-Xg4ePMMBp-Zb9fUbzOkvvcZueMPej7_JimQL6J44KnKeq8nBIls7fiKKzxIfHVygcBMIpjhjxE2zJJeXLIEO99iGCtfI/s200/morris_think_gr_bez_IMG_1600.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116424341380063970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKV1a2PtWkeua7kuudSqyYmpklT_uCOyMGDMqQPaVWKKDqdi3jLO2fbRi3dtFEZwnW9MPMRIMgaK6D_N_zbiQmal1L-WRbs-XS58asmzIsT0aDpG1IgX_rDTk8DQ1JT8_IbipsUUqJ2SA/s1600-h/morris_hap_gr_bez_IMG_1603.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKV1a2PtWkeua7kuudSqyYmpklT_uCOyMGDMqQPaVWKKDqdi3jLO2fbRi3dtFEZwnW9MPMRIMgaK6D_N_zbiQmal1L-WRbs-XS58asmzIsT0aDpG1IgX_rDTk8DQ1JT8_IbipsUUqJ2SA/s200/morris_hap_gr_bez_IMG_1603.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116424186761241298" /></a><br /><br />4. Remaining ink residue from previous print runs. If the rollers have not been cleaned properly, they will retain the last colors run and effect your current job. Even with extensive cleaning, rubber rollers hold on to a bit of color from previous runs. Some hints if you are printing a white or transparent-based color are to ink up the press with white, then clean the press (this will remove most of the dark ink stored in the rubber) or if you have the luxury, keep an extra set of rollers just for white/light colors (keeps the dark ink contamination out!)<br /><br />5. Matching to screen colors or ink jet prints. One of the many mistakes that a letterpress client will make is in the assumption that the final print will be matched exactly to their screen or ink jet print. Pantone colors are like paints, they are specially mixed inks, unlike screen values which are components of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and print outs use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK). It is impossible to match between screen and prints, alone! <br /><br />More information on inks are available on this <a href="http://www.briarpress.org/3326">Briar Press</a> thread.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-15140394254149038042007-09-22T13:37:00.000-07:002007-11-23T10:43:45.866-08:002007 holiday cardsI had some press time free this summer continued my idea of overprinting layers of wood type. Early for the 2007 holiday season, and late for 2006, but of course wood type never goes out of style!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyenQIqj5bt8oqcE9Ydag1BKZZ5bBlIc9ZksZc3cCu4XwcUwf6f_8A_b4I8Uapdp_LGH5llcq435AWtWuUyyL0zBRjFNmYWpJkcy6n75cl-RS9M-GnXTnKJtfB2XpsbX9i3XVyWpuc-8/s1600-h/IMG_3169_ho.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyenQIqj5bt8oqcE9Ydag1BKZZ5bBlIc9ZksZc3cCu4XwcUwf6f_8A_b4I8Uapdp_LGH5llcq435AWtWuUyyL0zBRjFNmYWpJkcy6n75cl-RS9M-GnXTnKJtfB2XpsbX9i3XVyWpuc-8/s200/IMG_3169_ho.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113134660009325970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazLoMqL1IXqinK1Oh4e2a5TP0jEP0jcGOJXGLnSEleYf-gsx7_Whc8oKOfpEFVq1j_7aRh201LDQI39KoDZym0JocKjs_xcqX_UeC66yo3ZpYnqWFNqxmNViYcWPfh_HqiyqNAcZ49NQ/s1600-h/IMG_3172_tidings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazLoMqL1IXqinK1Oh4e2a5TP0jEP0jcGOJXGLnSEleYf-gsx7_Whc8oKOfpEFVq1j_7aRh201LDQI39KoDZym0JocKjs_xcqX_UeC66yo3ZpYnqWFNqxmNViYcWPfh_HqiyqNAcZ49NQ/s200/IMG_3172_tidings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113134664304293282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL77mcvbOlQ6uHxIuQ-ry_AhsPoR7qiiDXWeuQUQlzMaKRQNlqcC3NPcl0rEhbuIxv_EhyuCM79Gb8iv_91hdBLsAG6hEzIDz3NktoxSL-C4U2oDMp42TFOIhmgvum_qR3w6yzVN7CMbg/s1600-h/IMG_3180_happy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL77mcvbOlQ6uHxIuQ-ry_AhsPoR7qiiDXWeuQUQlzMaKRQNlqcC3NPcl0rEhbuIxv_EhyuCM79Gb8iv_91hdBLsAG6hEzIDz3NktoxSL-C4U2oDMp42TFOIhmgvum_qR3w6yzVN7CMbg/s200/IMG_3180_happy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113134436671026562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0MUuoLqgdrflHj1_efbRQWKbwWR9K-BeCwEkwmhNhUFPtP3he_yp-PM-8aqMKR55maO6ufyb1TDLltlzRV-OazfWQAMci18f6NMVghsZruhV1Y8UL62bqxujB1is8Th9BLPcKIVtlD4/s1600-h/IMG_3176_peace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0MUuoLqgdrflHj1_efbRQWKbwWR9K-BeCwEkwmhNhUFPtP3he_yp-PM-8aqMKR55maO6ufyb1TDLltlzRV-OazfWQAMci18f6NMVghsZruhV1Y8UL62bqxujB1is8Th9BLPcKIVtlD4/s200/IMG_3176_peace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113133740886324594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSgxqzLAH5_Yz8NZJ73-0pEYeLAb6eNn4LE6EyG4gXeQ8BuFpYIp7OYv30lx0HE_1lqr0248G0z9EfU2BL-ukuI34SFt5SbkfOI1xrYH9-GzD4f8R3P4aZJw1I5JlL7qWPpxM1j-W7x0/s1600-h/IMG_3163_fruit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSgxqzLAH5_Yz8NZJ73-0pEYeLAb6eNn4LE6EyG4gXeQ8BuFpYIp7OYv30lx0HE_1lqr0248G0z9EfU2BL-ukuI34SFt5SbkfOI1xrYH9-GzD4f8R3P4aZJw1I5JlL7qWPpxM1j-W7x0/s200/IMG_3163_fruit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113133418763777378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntUyT5uNEFa_rcvKtvi0QtkIigH0X-rL259XW3Wl9JatL89iCjVQ3SJjBsuN2EdKQPr58rYMQMG-QPOGwkgWOuKwZndz4czddPCDy1GpCdv0zrJhfLGKTXU2uWqBaV3x4L11qhiwgRuw/s1600-h/IMG_3167_daze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntUyT5uNEFa_rcvKtvi0QtkIigH0X-rL259XW3Wl9JatL89iCjVQ3SJjBsuN2EdKQPr58rYMQMG-QPOGwkgWOuKwZndz4czddPCDy1GpCdv0zrJhfLGKTXU2uWqBaV3x4L11qhiwgRuw/s200/IMG_3167_daze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113132890482799954" /></a><br />I've printed runs of 125 of each card and an extra 125 of "peace" and "happy new year" which will be in the November issue of <a href="http://homeofthesampler.com/">the sampler.</a> If you are interested in a card or two of your own, click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5086228">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-44187351442249531872007-09-22T12:52:00.000-07:002007-11-23T10:44:26.021-08:00Speak Out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil4jeAv9uP_oAqh5dxWIcMY6n4xsC8NtKxcyZkOGhqCZozH2TUdgPwJDTryAsCyemWN2dpjmNa_yFDFVz8sISnyS7kbtNJrV-ihtgjMqqOJ9EnmVagmsnzEofkMWTEAfKEsJsLmuUS7o/s1600-h/SpeakOut_sm_3194.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil4jeAv9uP_oAqh5dxWIcMY6n4xsC8NtKxcyZkOGhqCZozH2TUdgPwJDTryAsCyemWN2dpjmNa_yFDFVz8sISnyS7kbtNJrV-ihtgjMqqOJ9EnmVagmsnzEofkMWTEAfKEsJsLmuUS7o/s400/SpeakOut_sm_3194.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113126302002967874" /></a><br />The personal projects I take on always have a purpose, and one of recent posters I've designed was for the <a href="http://mutanabbistreetreading.com/">Mutanabbi Street Coalition,</a> a collection of letterpress printers and poets joining together for the recognition of the Mutanabbi Street bombing. <br /><br />We are constantly bombarded with news of depressing events that influence us, on worldwide, local, and personal levels. With such an influx of negativity, it can seem a daunting and impossible task to overcome the adversity. <br /><br />For centuries on Mutanabbi Street, despite overbearing political forces, booksellers have housed literary works that have inspired intellectual thought and cafes have been homes for patrons to peacefully debate their passionate ideas. <br /><br />But on March 5th, 2007, Mutanabbi Street was silent . . . <br /><br />. . . in response the Mutanabbi Street Coalition spoke out. <br /><br />The overpowering of 53 inhumane actions in Speak Out is dedicated to the booksellers of Mutanabbi Street and all who promote free speech and the peaceful transfer of ideas, whether it is through a book, a banner, or a simple broadside, even the smallest light has power over dark.<br /><br />All 35+ broadsides contributed to the project will be on display at <a href="http://sfcb.org/php/event.php?id=t3-101907-evt">SFCB</a> October 19th to November 21st 2007.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-20912646758490117972007-08-28T19:10:00.000-07:002009-04-21T10:40:28.141-07:00what goes into letterpress pricingA question that frequently comes up is about my price list. Most of my jobs are done essentially for Lizard Press, though I will take commissioned work from time to time and these are the things I need to have to give an effective price for each unique job.<br /><br />1. Design: [Send pdf if design is done, text and any imagery if design is needed.] <br />Designers who have not printed letterpress will think that if the design is done, this means it will be a quick and easy job. For printing by a commercial printer, maybe. But for letterpress, most likely not. The best case is to send a pdf of your job and get an estimation of what needs to be adjusted for easy letterpress printing. <br /><br />2. Quantity: [How many?]<br />Letterpress is most cost effective with a minimum of 50-100 prints. You may only want 5, but the press set up will be the same as for 500 and the same price.<br /><br />3. Paper: [Specialty, or house?]<br />Paper for letterpress needs to be thick to get a nice de-bossed look. Traditional letterpress printer's were schooled to "kiss" the paper, which was a well-trained feat. Contemporary letterpress printers and customers prefer a bite in the page, which distinguishes letterpress from offset. My house paper is Johannot, a fluffy cotton mouldmade paper that is best printed on one side.<br /><br />4. Size: [Size before folding? Any bleeds (image running off the page)?]<br />This is the size of the page need to print your image on a letterpress, not the final size. Most presses need about 1/2" extra page area to feed into the press and if the image bleeds off the page, the printable area and paper size will need to be larger.<br /><br />5. Colors: [Single, 2-color, 3-color? How precise the color match?]<br />Additional colors will proportionally increase the price, each color on each side needs to be set up and then registered with the previous printed panels (this also adds to paper cost). The inks used in letterpress are essentially offset Pantone® colors, which due to the heavier manual inking process, tend to run a bit dark on the letterpress. A "chocolate brown" will be easier to run than a perfect Pantone® 469. If a precise color is needed, the client will need to be available for the print run.<br /><br />6. Sides: [Single or double?]<br />The paper weight will need to be increased if you desire printing on both sides of the page, so the alternate side image does not press through. Double-sided also increases the number of print runs, i.e. 2-color, 2-sided will be 4 print runs, thus it will cost twice as much as 1-color, 2-sided or 2-color, 1-sided.<br /><br />7. Extras: [Any unusual elements?]<br />Artwork die-cuts, scoring, folding, hand tearing of paper, envelope printing, any added extras are good to get upfront in the planning so they can be spec'd for the job.<br /><br />When I have all these questions answered, I can make a good estimate to order the paper, prepare the files for film, burn the polymer plates, order the Pantone® colors, set up the appropriate letterpress, design each panel for printing, register multiple colors, fold as required. <br /><br />It is a lot of work, but it is well worth it! A custom letterpress printed job will be fantastic with all the planning upfront and can be less exciting if it needs to be fixed along the way.<br /><br />Here are a couple letterpress print shop pages that can lead you to their pricing...<br /><a href="http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/letterpress/custom_index.html">Paper Source</a><br /><a href="http://www.bellafigura.com/know-how/pricing-wedding-2c.htm">Bella Figura</a><br /><a href="http://www.hellolucky.com/custom/index.php/wedding/">Hello Lucky</a><br />(keep in mind that these are most likely template jobs, not custom jobs)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-10259960172514196982007-08-02T11:11:00.000-07:002007-11-23T10:45:40.749-08:00my first letterpressA question from Erika, an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5086228">etsy</a> client who bought the letterpress poster I designed for PCBA's 2007 Book Arts and Printers' Fair <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip33WibJ53SA9ZT9-fdu9Wrl9sN8AVOMOfEH0e5pvOeejj027JHVCsoSub2Z5DoTG803HnCenc_q3XZtVP1MXWJyIVaaCR42PTwxAgiUpMEQw3S2qX-D0f8BMGzBhucVDwKkHWkw-ooyg/s1600-h/05_MKA_bookartsfair07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip33WibJ53SA9ZT9-fdu9Wrl9sN8AVOMOfEH0e5pvOeejj027JHVCsoSub2Z5DoTG803HnCenc_q3XZtVP1MXWJyIVaaCR42PTwxAgiUpMEQw3S2qX-D0f8BMGzBhucVDwKkHWkw-ooyg/s320/05_MKA_bookartsfair07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094176888146076018" /></a><br /><br />was where I purchased my first letterpress . . .<br /><br />I had taken a few classes at <a href="http://sfcb.org">San Francisco Center for the Book</a> and fell in love with it, but wasn't quite ready to take the plunge into purchasing my own when Suzie, a fellow student at the Center, emailed me that she forgot she had been bidding on a 3x5 Kelsey on ebay and had purchased a 5x8 and ended up with both! She gave me an extra special deal of $80 and she had already outfitted it with everything but the rollers, so I couldn't pass it up!<br /><br />I had cotton candy dreams of printing everything with my 3x5, but after a few weeks of tinkering, have found it very useful for many things, but alas, not everything!<br /><br />Here are a couple of prints that work well with my 3x5 . . .<br /><br />My thank U cards, the "U" was actually printed on the 3x5, it doesn't have the indent that most letterpress lovers like, but it gives it a nice textured screenprint effect. The pressure needed to press the 4 inch wood type letter is impossible to get on a 3x5, the best even pressure I get is usually about 1"x3".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x5NIpmazAx0QVseEH1hYQSuxNwKlHRcwGIa4ofImHPrX4xND2NmRcdwuM61I0RzlPRKmQR9CNwy2O500jL5NK1GkKKIMYDujwtjERP8wyziABfc4FaoRMJQlB2ZJ1BtCEPfpL466KIg/s1600-h/thankuwoodIMG_8595_sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x5NIpmazAx0QVseEH1hYQSuxNwKlHRcwGIa4ofImHPrX4xND2NmRcdwuM61I0RzlPRKmQR9CNwy2O500jL5NK1GkKKIMYDujwtjERP8wyziABfc4FaoRMJQlB2ZJ1BtCEPfpL466KIg/s320/thankuwoodIMG_8595_sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094173933208576354" /></a><br /><br />The "thank" in this one is also printed on the 3x5, but for the majority of them, I rented a Vandercook at SFCB, which took much less time and the precision alignment was much easily controlled.<br /><br />What the 3x5 press is fantastic for is printing very small items, like the 2" seed packets on the back of my "notes to grow on" series. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwm734eEdeFeHBWwYuiV5_kmXBcHS5Z0v2XjgnuUVz0WjIgeNm5NtOVMhVqcknf7zXLYhFTHGkHCMdVCA1RHAEGylCTpZCVV3THc8-t2e23j4-XqIsdzOWnL_bfznuXyL7AzCoL9cjRU/s1600-h/10_MKA_notes2growon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwm734eEdeFeHBWwYuiV5_kmXBcHS5Z0v2XjgnuUVz0WjIgeNm5NtOVMhVqcknf7zXLYhFTHGkHCMdVCA1RHAEGylCTpZCVV3THc8-t2e23j4-XqIsdzOWnL_bfznuXyL7AzCoL9cjRU/s320/10_MKA_notes2growon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094177416427053442" /></a><br /><br />I also bring it to my introductory typography classes, it really gives the students an understanding of what "leading" really is and they really enjoy pulling their own print!<br /><br />I also picked up a 6x10 Kelsey last year, and have to play with it and order new rollers, which is the usual required purchase with any table top press that has not been in use. <a href="http://www.nagraph.com/storefront.html">NA Graphics</a> carries all the supplies you will need for getting a table top press to function. I hope to be able to spend some time soon with my larger press, but due to my limited time constraints (and overflowing ideas!) I have been renting time on a Vandercook V-4 at SFCB.<br /><br />The 6x10 is the largest I plan to have, larger presses need more space than I have and I find going to the Center lets me concentrate on my printing and not get distracted by the other things that I "need to get done".<br /><br />If you are interested in purchasing your own press, here are some options:<br />1. <a href="http://www.ebay.com/">Ebay,</a> mostly these are from decendants of printers or antique dealers, who mostly do not know anything about the press they are selling<br />2. <a href="http://www.briarpress.org/">Briar Press,</a> mostly printers that are moving up to larger presses and will know details about the press<br />3. <a href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/">Craigslist,</a> same as Ebay<br />4. <a href="http://www.donblack.ca/default.asp">Don Black,</a> have heard from other printers that this is the best place to buy a press in working order, it may take months, but they cater to finding the right press for you, but as with specialized service, it is not as price effective as a "fixer-upper"<br />5. <a href="http://profiles.yahoo.com/sfletterpress">sfletterpress yahoo list,</a> a yahoo list of hobby and professional printersUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029782520475020541.post-88848904609131275942007-07-27T01:45:00.000-07:002007-11-23T10:41:45.987-08:00passion for printing, a new blogOver the past two years, and to extreme proportions in the last few months, I have been obsessed with experimenting on the letterpress. To prove it, I have a couple dozen wood type faces that I have purchased, thousands of printed cards and broadsides taking up space in my bookcase and because I have been printing weekly at the <a href="http://sfcb.org">San Francisco Center for the Book</a>, they have asked me to teach an upcoming class on wood type in October.<br /><br />I even have fabulous interns that astound me when they thank me for the opportunity to work all day long on a press. And it is credit to them that I am starting this blog (which started as a joke) but as I am receiving frequent questions about letterpress, a blog seems the perfect venue for responding and is much easier to update than my poor website, which is long overdue for some attention.<br /><br />So please bear with me as I learn this new interface—lately I have been press-side more than screen-side!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0