WHAT IS LETTERPRESS?

With roots in the 15th century, letterpress printing relies on the deceivingly simple combination of pressure, ink, and paper. By layering inks one colour at a time and leaving a physical impression on the surface of the paper, this process results in beautifully textured, rich-feeling pieces that stand apart from their digital counterparts.

CHANDLER & PRICE 8 X 12”

Our first press, ratcheted lovingly to a U-Haul and driven to Calgary from Indianapolis, is a 100-year-old cast iron beauty. Her treadle and flywheel create a meditative human-powered rhythm, backed by 1 tonne of power.

Strengths: business cards + high quantities

CHANDLER & PRICE GALLEY PROOF PRESS

The baby sister to our Chandler & Price 8x12” platen press is a charmer. Built in the 1920’s and used for proofing type, this press came to us with the original ink brayer and a snappy little cupboard full of paper.

Strengths: type + linocut

VANDERCOOK 4C “THE BRIT”

The latest addition to the studio arrived by way of 3105 nautical miles. Made by Western, a British manufacturer who licensed the now famous Vandercook presses, the 4C was created to pull impeccably precise proofs. She’s a real workhorse and a jack of all trades.

Strengths: pillowy type + posters

HUMAN-POWERED PRINTS

Every aspect of production in the studio is human-powered. We measure and mix inks to the hundredth of a gram, set type letter by letter, labour over set-up until everything is in perfect alignment, and run each individual piece through the press by hand. While we obsess over details, the reality (and beauty) of letterpress is that no two prints are exactly the same. Texture and subtle variations are inherent in this medium. It’s what made us fall in love in the first place.