a little goes a long way
July 23, 2010 | 2 comments
In case you didn’t know, letterpress printing is a lot different than digital or offset. The more colors you use, the more expensive the job will be (each color requires its own plate and a separate run through the press). Here are a few recent 1 color projects that show you don’t need to fork over a fortune to get beautiful letterpress printed pieces.
Wedding invitations designed by the groom, Zac Brooks.
Simple stationery designed for a friend.
Thank you cards designed by Tracy of MadCow Designs.
the woodcrest project pt. 2
July 7, 2010 | no comments
Remember these?
A while back Richard came to me with these gorgeous magnesium blocks that he found in the basement of his new home depicting the very home he lives in. We started by creating a few coasters with the smallest plate, but I soon realized that the plates were too damaged to get consistent prints from.
Warped wood and metal:
I made a print of each plate, scanned the image into my computer, and cleaned it up; getting rid of the damaged areas and making it look like new again. Then the stationery was printed…
#10 envelopes and letterheads:
A6 envelopes and matching flat cards:
And, of course, the wonderful map:
What a difference photopolymer makes. Next up, wedding invitations from the same plates!!
a family affair: part paper
June 25, 2010 | 2 comments
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending (as a bridesmaid) the wedding of this beautiful couple:
Mary (the bride) just happens to be my cousin- and these are the invites we came up with for their special day:
2 color invitation on 110# Lettra:
This double sided rsvp postcard was printed on a coaster stock to give it a bit of extra weight for mailing:
2 color reception card printed on 110# Lettra:
My sister Maureen makes up half of the dynamic duo Domestic Construction, who were responsible for all of the decorations. Here’s a little peak of some of them going up (that ladder was HIGH!):
Every bit of this wedding was thought out and personalized by a family member or friend of the bride and groom. We had the chance to spend a week together getting everything ready; how rare that is in our adult lives, how perfect it made this day.
I’ll spare you my poorly lit shots (or those borrowed from Facebook); stay tuned for a family affair: part decor (and photos from the professionals)!
one postcard to rule them all
May 13, 2010 | 2 comments
I cranked out a few promotional postcards this past week. They were printed 4/1 (four color front, one color back) on medium weight coaster stock and then die cut to 4″x6″ with rounded corners. Really happy with how they turned out!
Let me know if you’d like one!
show me what you’re working with pt. 2
May 5, 2010 | no comments
Danni over at oh, hello friend dedicated an entire week of blogging to letterpress printers and studios. She was nice enough to do a little write up about Cleanwash Letterpress. My plan was to wait until my studio was spotless and organized to take and post photos. Then letterpress week came up, and I stopped kidding myself. Here it is, as clean as it gets…
My 1913 12×18 Chandler & Price (we were both born in Cleveland, OH):
I cannot even begin to express what a challenge this speed control was in the beginning (luckily I worked with an amazing electrician):
The perfectly colored challenge paper cutter:
Lifesaver of a platemaker:
Imposing stone/galley/ furniture cabinet (I am convinced that this is the most beautiful one ever made):
My giant work table and fabric covered corner:
show me what you’re working with pt. 1
March 29, 2010 | 1 comment
I am sure that most of you don’t know this, but blogging is time consuming. Very. Taking, editing and color correcting photos then trying to write something that isn’t completely stupid to accompany them is no small task… I need to get better. I should have posted photos of my shop weeks ago, but I have yet to find the time to take them.
Bruce Schimmel came by for a visit and took this photo of me with my new best friend: a Heidelberg Windmill. She is a fine piece of machinery. You can also see my platemaker, and boring paper shelf in the picture. I promise I will show you the rest soon.
Don’t mind my face, or hair, or posture; boy do I hate having my photo taken.
To be continued…
cleanwash business cards
March 15, 2010 | 6 comments
Curious & Company helped me freshen up my logo a bit and gave me a few options for business cards. There were two designs that I really love and want to print; this is the first (and simplest) of the two. I printed them on an extra thick, 4 ply museum board, which gave me plenty of room to get a good impression on the backside. They have an amazing texture to them. Many people ask: “why letterpress?”. This is a great example…
cleanwash business cards
March 11, 2010 | 1 comment
My business cards are finally in production. I cannot wait to show you…
I think I’m going to love them so much it’ll hurt.
