OsloPress

Every now and then we get the opportunity to work on projects that are completely non-wedding related. If you look at our current website, you may assume that weddings are all we do; but please don’t let it fool you! We will gladly take on projects for non-wedding related events.

Below are photos from such a project that we worked on last fall. The ABC store in Banner Elk, North Carolina was recently expanded and remodeled. To celebrate the occasion, a ribbon cutting ceremony was planned. We were happy to take on the invitation project which soon turned into a full custom design job. Even the logo was especially created for the event. As a nod to the moonshining roots that exist in the region, an old fashioned still was incorporated into the logo along with some blue peaks in the background to represent the Blue Ridge Mountains. It may be difficult to see in the photos, but this was actually a three color job. Two shades of chocolate along with blue were letterpress printed on ecru cotton paper to give a warm, rustic feel.

Below are some photos of the ABC store following the renovation project.  If you’ve ever had the pleasure of entering a typical North Carolina ABC store then you will definitely know how dramatic the change was!

Photo Credits - All images of the ABC store courtesy of the High Country Municipal ABC Store of Banner Elk, NC

I can’t believe spring is already here! This usually means we are entering our busy season and this year is definitely no exception. To help lighten my load a bit I’ve had to postpone updating the blog recently. I think I’m feeling caught up though – so hopefully I can keep up with regular posting from here on out.

Despite our busy schedules, we thought it would be a great idea to take advantage of the gorgeous weather we had here last weekend.  We headed over to the JC Raulston Arboretum in order to walk around a bit, enjoy some fresh air, and keep our eyes out for inspiration.

The arboretum includes multiple theme gardens and some nice secluded spots that are quite picturesque.  You will also find thousands of plant species within the eight acre arboretum.  If you happen to live near Raleigh, definitely consider this spot if you are planning an outdoor wedding.  Being so early in the season, things were just beginning to bud and bloom; but I’m sure the views will only get better later on in the season.

Hmm…  perhaps this is why our studio isn’t open to the public.

Clockwise from top left: close-up of warning on our paper cutter, close-up of label on an ATF Little Giant, warning label on a Heidelberg Windmill

Last fall, we finally purchased a new paper cutter. Our old paper cutter was moody, greasy, and not exactly the safest hunk of metal around. So when we finally tracked down a new one that suited our needs and was just the right price, we jumped at the chance to buy it. There was just one little catch (as always seems to be the case around here with equipment acquisition) – we would have to pick it up. But just how far away was this new paper cutter from Raleigh?  Well, it depends on the route you take, but to give you an idea, somewhere around 1400 miles away. This may seem a bit far to drive for a piece of equipment, but we had our reasons:   a) we really needed a new paper cutter,  b) it was great timing since fall is our slow season, and c)  we really really really wanted an excuse for a road trip. So, after considering the cost of fuel, food, lodging, and trailer rental, we packed up the car and hit the road.

We planned to spend our first night with family just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee,  but decided to make a quick stop in Knoxville with plans to visit Yee-Haw Industries.

Yee-Haw is a design and  letterpress studio specializing in event posters and art prints. Walking into their shop was one of those “we’re not in Kansas anymore” moments for sure. The walls of the space are lined with trays upon trays of wood and lead type. The place has been in business since the mid-nineties, and the years spent working on this collection of type have definitely paid off. And then there are the posters – both the walls and ceilings are plastered. It’s truly an inspiring sight!

It was great to visit a place where things are so different from what we’re used to. Unlike the folks at Yee-Haw, we do not have  a collection of type other than that of the digital variety. While our designs typically start on paper, the final designs are created in the computer. Then, if we’re designing something to be letterpress printed, we  create photopolymer plates. This enables us to make truly custom designs for our clients without having a  large collection of wood or lead type eating up our precious square footage. That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t like to have some though.  We can’t help but imagine what it must be like to open up a drawer filled with type and just start playing around with a concept. From start to finish the job can be done without even so much the thought of a computer.

We’re thankful that owner Kevin Bradley was kind enough to give us a tour of the space and let us check out all the type as well as the presses (including a neglected Heidelberg Windmill!).  I wish I had more photos of the space – but I hate to feel like I’m intruding and tend to take less photos when there are people around (I’m totally shy like that).  And though we really wanted to stay a little longer and get some dinner in Knoxville, we knew that we had a little niece waiting on us to hurry up and arrive in Chattanooga already, so it was time to hit the road once again and continue on…

Stay tuned!  I’ll be posting about our adventure periodically until finished, though not every week in a row.  Be sure to check back in the following weeks to find out what happens!

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