Phew. Using a printing press is harder than you’d think. Especially when the press in question has been sitting in somebody’s attic/garage for the past number of years. See the press and cabinet here. There are actually two more of the drawer units and two other trays of type. I’m think of stealing a shelf or two from a different cabinet so all the trays can be in one place.
Rob spent a while this morning taking bits out and cleaning them (and dousing them with WD-40), and now I can adjust various things, which makes the printing much easier. I’ve made several of the little ‘business’ cards in the photo above (and lots and LOTS of dud ones to be thrown away) and a few postcards I haven’t yet photographed.
The press came with everything I need, but the ink is pretty old and takes forever to dry. I think I’ll order a few different colours soon and see if modern ink is a bit more time-conscious. There are several complete fonts and many near-complete or partial sets to play with, but I’m going to have to start scouring the internet for excellent old image plates. And I might need gloves. Or ink-eradicating soap.
I want one too!!! I am so jealous. You are a lucky duck!
Nothing beats a printing press. The cards look beautiful!
You know you can design things on a computer and print them out on an ink jet or color laser printer right? Some call it “the modern way”. You should give it a try.
a printing press? who are you, ben franklin?