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!
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
February 19, 2010 at 9:19 pm
· Filed by Jen
· Filed under letterpress
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:
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
Last summer, we had a couple come to us and request that their invitations reflect the scenery of their wedding location by including a single large pine tree. Always happy to take on the challenge of a custom job, I was eager to accommodate their wishes. Honestly, I was a bit surprised that this was the first time a pine tree had been requested by a client (you know, given all that wood you see on our website!).
Before I began working on the new illustration, I searched around a little bit online in order to study photos of actual pine trees. It wasn’t long before I realized I didn’t have to look very hard at all though. Here in North Carolina, there never seems to be a lack of pine trees. Just a quick glance out of a window around here will reveal quite a few nearby. Really, they are everywhere and so are their needles; but it’s okay because their silhouettes against the setting sun are quite a lovely sight.
To further enhance the woodsy feel of the invitation set, the couple chose to use walnut wood for the invite. A warm chocolate brown ink was used for the text and a pop of color was added by the use of olive ink. To wrap it all up and create a cohesive feel, ecru cotton paper was selected for the paper elements.
Curious about our custom design process? Just send us an e-mail or visit our process page for more details.
We thought it would be fun to start posting a few photos from around the studio. Despite any lazy blogging habits of the past, the plan is to continue with this every Friday. Who knows what will show up – just whatever looked interesting through the viewfinder that week. Be sure to stop by again for a little peek!
Clockwise from top left: a printer in his natural habitat, close-up of ink knife and ink, close-up of the sucker bar on a Heidelberg Windmill
P.S. Be very glad I went with black and white. Otherwise, that photo of the ink looks more like a scene out of a horror film rather than a press room.
Happy new year everyone! Yes, we know, it’s been very quiet around here. What better way to break the silence than by announcing this sweet little deal? As stated above, we are offering free letterpress place cards or favor tags to anyone who orders 50 or more wedding invitation sets between now and Valentine’s Day. To clarify, a set must consist of an invite (in wood or paper), plus an outer envelope and at least one insert. In return, those who qualify will receive coordinating paper place cards or favor tags that are letterpress printed with a motif. As long as the same design is printed on each card, there is no problem. Please note that individual guest names can not be printed on each card.
We are happy to print the number you need up to double the amount of invitation sets ordered. For instance, if you order 100 sets, then you may receive up to 200 free place cards or favor tags. If you need more than 200, then a fee will be incurred. Also, cards may be flat, folded, or have a hole in them – whatever suits your needs!
If you have any questions at all, please let us know. Enjoy!
Just thought I would share a peak at some custom invites that we recently finished and shipped off. At the request of the bride, I created this illustration for her upcoming fall wedding. This project actually began with save the dates – where a smaller but similar leaf illustration made an appearance. I then developed the idea further once it was time to work on the invites. A little later on I will be able to share more, but for now, here are some closeups:
Apparently, I have had my fill of the summer heat because this warm combination of colors is making me more than ready for fall.
What you see: laser engraved walnut veneer, letterpress on ecru paper
Green is a favorite color around here and is a common request when it comes to ink selection. While my personal favorites tend to be greens with more yellow in them, I fell in love when this color came off the press. And what color might this new love be? That would be Pantone 363. The bride and groom selected this custom blended green ink along with bright white cotton paper and cherry wood invites. A perfect combination, in my opinion.
Just a little peek at a custom job we created for a couple during the fall of last year. The bride came to us already knowing she wanted to use a particular typeface – Shelley Allegro. She was also interested in a monogram but thought she would possibly like to incorporate some other details. Well, several ideas were tossed around, but at the end of the day, they decided to keep it sweet and simple:
In the top photo you can see a portion of the reply card, followed by the envelope flaps in the second photo. Not in need of a return address, they chose to use only their initials and wedding date on the outer envelope. Each paper item in the set was letterpress printed in chocolate ink on ecru cotton paper, creating a rich warm feel.
