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
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!
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
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
