Letterpress Induction

From this Letterpress induction, the aim was to be able to print our name using a typeface by setting it and printing it.

The first thing we did was select a typeface to use between a group of 3. Between us, we decided to go for Times in 20pt so that would give a nice clean legibility of the type.

Times 20pt Movable Type

We needed to write our names down on a sheet of paper as a reference guide due to the fact that we would be working with the letters being upside down and backwards.

Reference Guide

We went onto laying out our names in the movable type. We had to use a composing stick with a piece of leading at the bottom to place the type on. Once the type has been laid out, the line of type needs to be filled up by spacing 'quads'.

Composing Stick with Movable Type

From that, the names were imposed onto a frame that was loaded and surrounded by blocks that packed the frame with added weight. This was to stop the type from moving when being printed.

Set up Type

Using the Letterpress, the type is set onto the machine itself and ink is placed onto the rollers so as to spread the ink evenly. The choice of paper used has to be preferably thin so that it doesn't become embossed and is packed with added sheets of newsprint.

Set Up Letter Press and Printing

We went onto producing 5 prints each using different papers: Cartridge paper, Photo paper, Tracing paper, Off White Newsprint paper and Tissue Paper.

Printed Papers with Names

From this, we then had to wash off the ink from the block of text using white spirit to get rid of the ink and then replace the type in the select drawers.

Cleaning off the Ink

Finished Prints:

5 Letterpress Prints using different stocks in order to experiment and develop out Printing skills.

Individual Prints

Prints Altogether

This induction helped with understanding why designers need to understand kerning and leading when producing printed type and I liked the quality of the prints as it gave them an authentic aesthetic.