OsloPress

Organization is definitely key when it comes to running a business – even more so when space is limited.  So, to better organize our studio, we’re moving a few things around.  But until things are back in order, we’re stuck feeling a little, well, surrounded.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, there is  a very large piece of Tres Leches cake waiting for me in my fridge…

For the most part, the envelopes you see on our website are shown in various shades of white or cream.  Please don’t let this fool you though – we gladly offer colored envelopes as well.  We have several favorite manufacturers that we like to use, so please let us know if there is a color you are interested in and we will let you know what is available.  Typically when working with a client, we will send them samples of the color they are looking for.  This enables them to see their color options as well as feel the paper.  If requested, we will custom mix the ink so that it matches the selected envelopes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if interested in using colored envelopes:

• Currently we only offer letterpress printing.  Letterpress is well-suited to printing dark colors on light paper.  However, dark paper colors can have the tendency to show through the printed ink a little bit.  We can still print a light color on dark paper, but keep in mind that letterpress printing white ink  onto dark paper may not produce as crisp of a white as other printing methods.
• The US Postal Service prefers the use of white or pastel colored envelopes.  Using a dark ink on light paper insures optimum contrast which is ideal for use with their optical readers/scanners.  Basically, sticking to lighter colors makes their jobs a little easier.
• Consider using labels to dress up your dark envelopes.  Labels don’t have to be boring or ugly – we can design and print them for you so that they will coordinate with the rest of your stationery.
• Some envelope manufacturers offer different flap designs.  You may or may not have a choice with a particular color, but we will certainly let you know what the options are.

Need more information on available envelopes or recommended ink colors?  Please don’t hesitate to ask!

What you see: butterfly reply card in pearl white cotton paper, chocolate and lilac ink, lilac envelope

Another hectic week…  thank goodness it’s the weekend!

Clockwise from top left:  close-up of scored cards, close-up of a freshly printed ketubah designed by one of our clients, portion of ketubah plate on base – waiting for the printing to begin

I thought it would be fun to share this photo of an engraved wood favor tag we created for a couple last year. We’ve created tags in both paper and wood before, but these were meant to serve double duty. The whole point of making them out of wood was so that each family at the wedding could take one home and hopefully use it as an ornament later on. In this photo you see only the date of the wedding. We created a few in this style, but all of the others were personalized with the last name of each family or individual  invited to the wedding. I think this is a great alternative to using the names or monogram of the couple getting married – especially if you hope your guests will put the tags to use in the future. As you can see, these were attached to gifts for the guests using a ribbon. However, you could certainly skip additional favors, and use these as keepsake place cards instead!

Photo Credit – real wedding photo by Francesco Mastalia

This past week has been a bit crazy, so I decided to take a break from the usual Studio Friday posts.  Instead, I’m posting this great little video in case you haven’t seen it.  Watch and enjoy as one man takes you on his journey of creating a fine press edition of a Pictorial Webster:

Pictorial Webster’s: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Found via I Love Letterpress

We finally printed some new business cards! Business cards are one of those things that are constantly put on the back burner around here. Sadly, we don’t have any excuse for this given that everything we need to make them is right at our fingertips. Hmm… what’s that old adage? Something about the shoemaker never mending his shoes… or is it that the shoemaker never has new shoes…? Well, in any case, you get my point. When you run your own small business, you find yourself constantly trying to do too many things at once. However, when you finally cross something off that forever growing to-do list – it does feel great.

What you see:  Chocolate ink and what we like to refer to as “Oslo Press Green” ink on Pearl White cotton paper

Perhaps this is a bit dark and moody for a February post – but these are the images I keep coming back to.

Clockwise from top left:   1. photo titled “Weathered” by Jennifer Dickerson Photography – I love the warm glow in this image.   2. powdered sugar dress by sarahseven – The dress is ethereal, plus there is nothing like coming home and taking your shoes off.   3. photo by Steven Brisson Photography – I’ve always preferred old books to new – something about the yellowed pages plus the occasional note written in the margin.   4. pottery by Emile Henry (via the kitchn) – I have a weakness for rustic farmhouse tables.   5. photo titled “The Journey Awaits” by Honeytree Photography – Can I  take a walk here?   6. skeleton keys available from Ashbury Lane Art & Design – I love the patina.   7. photo by Honey & Jam Photography – Warm drink on a cold night – need I say more?   8. photo titled “Gossamer” by Alicia Bock Photography – So delicate.

Wherever you look in our studio there seems to be a measuring tool of sorts.  Somehow though, they all disappear when you actually need to use one.  Funny how that works.

Happy weekend everyone! I’m off to watch the snow fall…

Clockwise from top left:  close-up of an align mate – a clear plastic grid used for double checking alignment, corner of an aluminum drafting triangle along with a close-up of a cutting ruler, close-up of a pica pole or ruler on top of a ruled cutting mat

A common question around here is whether or not we offer wood table cards. Of course we do! We custom make all of our wood table cards to order. They can be engraved with a number or name, as well as a motif. As with any of our products, you can choose from the designs in our collection or request a full custom design.  Various styles and stands are available, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

By the way, we also offer table cards in paper that are letterpress printed with  a motif – leaving room for the numbers or names to be written by hand.  They’re a great way to show off some lovely calligraphy!

A few things to think about in regards to table cards:

• Be sure to place the cards so that they are easily spotted on the table.  If raised, make sure that they don’t block the view across the table.
• Table cards should be large enough to read from a distance.  Keep in mind that large numbers are more easily recognized from a distance, as opposed to small words.
• Using numbers is very common, though it is also popular to label tables using things such as song titles, names of significant locations, or movie titles.  As mentioned above, just make sure the words are large enough for your guests to read them from a distance.  If using long titles, you may want to consider giving the table a number as well.
• If you think that assigning individual seats is too time-consuming, you may want to consider assigning your guests to tables only. This will enable you to group together certain guests while still allowing them a little choice in the matter. It will also get everyone to their general location quickly so that when it is time to eat – everyone should already be seated.

Photo Credits – Clockwise from the top: small table number in walnut – real wedding photograph by Brandon Scott Photography / close-up of  a table number in cherry by me /  large table number in walnut – real wedding photograph by Cappy Hotchkiss

As a reminder to myself (and anyone else reading!) to notice all the little things that surround us in our daily lives, I’ll be posting another regular monthly feature. Everyday Things will focus on just that – the everyday items  that we sometimes take for granted or fail to notice. I stumbled across some interesting uses for buttons the other day while browsing on Etsy, which got me thinking about doing this sort of post.  The colors, textures, materials, and patterns available  are really just endless.  Here is a sampling of images from around the web that caught my eye:

First row on the left (from top to bottom): Sweet Plum Vintage, Country Living, SpareButton / Second row: Pavi Yarns, SpareButton, Tumbled Shards / Third row: momentinthesun, SpareButton, Stelma Designs, Polished / Last row on the right: Brizel Supplies, Lillian Olive, SpareButton