Yesterday, we had our first run at using our letter press. It was a really fun and very educational. We wanted to document the process so you can see what we have been up to.
-LG
This is a lock up of the base. The wooden pieces are called "furniture" and the metal pieces on the sides are called "keys". You tighten the keys to hold the base in place.That way, the plate stays in place when you go to press your paper. This is a base for a photopolymer plate.
Here is another view of our base inside of the metal "chase". Here you see all the pieces of wood that could be used for the furniture.
This is the photopolymer plate that goes on the base. It's made out of a really thick, flexible plastic w/ glue on the back so you can position the plate however you would like to on the base.
This is the chase and base inside of the press. When you press down, it hits the paper that inside of the press. Here, the paper would lay on the whit part that is at the bottom of the picture.
Next ink is placed on the press so the rollers can get enough ink to press into the paper.
Every time you pull the lever down, the top cylinder revolves in a counter clock-wise position,while inking up the rollers. Once the rollers have enough ink, you place the paper in the press, and pull the lever down to push the paperup to the plate. The plate then indents the paper, while inking it at the same time.
Below are some samples.
This was our first pass. We needed to make a few adjustments to the press to make the ink spread evenly across the paper.
This is a impression of our logo.
Last week was a long week. Lots of jobs to finish up and lots of things to celebrate such as engagements and anniversaries ;) One of our greatest accomplishments (to date) are the save-the-dates for the barmtizvah we have been working on. These invitations have been our labor of love for the past few weeks, so we are excited for everyone to finally see them. Here are the final cards.
Berwyn mixing the ink
This is Berwyn's press. It's pretty sweet.
Here is the plate locked up and ready to press.
Rolling the paper through the press.
This is a lock up of the base. The wooden pieces are called "furniture" and the metal pieces on the sides are called "keys". You tighten the keys to hold the base in place.That way, the plate stays in place when you go to press your paper. This is a base for a photopolymer plate.
This is the photopolymer plate that goes on the base. It's made out of a really thick, flexible plastic w/ glue on the back so you can position the plate however you would like to on the base.
Next ink is placed on the press so the rollers can get enough ink to press into the paper.
