WHAT IS LETTERPRESS?

  

Letterpress is a centuries-old printing process invented by Gutenberg during the 1400s.  A raised form (such as metal or wood type, carved linoleum blocks, magnesium and copper plates, or photopolymer plates) is inked and pressed into the paper, one sheet at a time and one color at a time.  Unlike any other printing method, letterpress leaves a tactile impression that can be seen and felt.  Due to the handcrafted nature of the letterpress process, slight variations in color, depth of impression, and registration may occur—this lends to the beauty and distinct character of letterpress.

At penelope’s press, we are home to a few iron friends.  Penelope (our first press) is a Craftsman Superior tabletop.  The "Golden Girls" were later added: Blanche—an Old Style 8×12 Chandler and Price, circa 1903; Sophia— a New Style 8×12 Chandler and Price, circa 1912; and Rose—a Potter proof press, circa 1910.  There’s also Quinn—a tiny Model 1 Improved—and Henry—our handy guillotine paper cutter. Recently, we added a second Craftsman Superior, a New Style 10×15 Chandler and Price, a Model 55 hot foil stamping machine, and a Heidelberg Windmill.