I have been waiting to do this for practically a whole year now and today we finally got to do it - LETTERPRESS! We only got to do 7 prints of our name and blog address but it was so worth the wait. I loved every minute haha. I chose to use 18pt Clarendon Bold but due to the length of my blog address I had to use size 30 leading.
A basic synopsis of how to use letterpress:
1. Choose your font, get a composing stick, add the correct length of leading and hold it in place using the anchor.
2. The bottom line is the top printed line. Work from left to right and then fill any extra space with quads, thicks and thins. The notch on each piece of movable type indicates the bottom of the letter so this should be facing upwards.
3. Add another layer of leading and do the next line. Use middles as spaces between words and use thins next to punctuation (except in web and email addresses). Add a final layer of leading.
4. Get a frame, work out where you want your text to be then fill top with furniture. Add your text and fill with more furniture. Put the screw ones at the ends to make it as tight as possible.
5. Use two bits of padding before the frame in the press, put the frame into the press and pack to the metal bar. Again use the screw furniture to make it tighter. Ink the plate by lifting the trip switch and roll over the plate. Put the trip switch back down.
6. Behind the sheet you want to print onto, place 3 sheets of newsprint and 1 of tissue paper. Put your foot on the pedal, feed the paper and release the pedal.
7. Turn the handle with one hand and guide the paper through with the other. Take out your print at the end and return the roller to the start.
8. When done use a cloth and white spirit to clean the type. Then use a dry cloth to dry them. Put back the frame and furniture and return the type to the box.
Neil also said we can change the ink. I really want to do some white ink prints on brown paper but I may buy some of my own movable type first, the selection at Vernon Street was really quite small and I want to do some massive prints. Looks like I'm going to be spending a lot of time down in the print room.
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The Strokes - Is This Itvia
FoxyTunesLabels: letterpress, print, typography
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I have been waiting to do this for practically a whole year now and today we finally got to do it - LETTERPRESS! We only got to do 7 prints of our name and blog address but it was so worth the wait. I loved every minute haha. I chose to use 18pt Clarendon Bold but due to the length of my blog address I had to use size 30 leading.