Example below of a triplex/sandwiched stock, printed after gluing. With no Bruising

Multiplexed papers add what could be called the 'thump' element of design. 

These puppies add real impact. Don't drop them on your toe.

Duplex is the gluing of two sheets of paper to make a thicker, unique, custom sheet which can show off the very best examples of modern letterpress technique.

There are many reasons for using duplex papers. Here are just a few;

The commercial letterpress artist will like the depth of impression that can be obtained by duplex  after  printing, thus eliminating the impression bruising or show-through.

 

The designer will like the fact that they can offer their clients a custom, unique, one-off, card.

The hobby & old school printers could enjoy both of these benefits. Or because their equipment or background training will not allow them to push the beastly impression of today’s fashion they have the added benefit of being able to  duplex  before printing without bruising or impression show-through.

Over 40 years letterpress experience and 15 years using bookbinding glues & machines will bring a sensitivity to your duplex or multiplex project unmatched in the letterpress community.

Our stocks will not delaminate or fall apart

We can glue any stock from 20# text up. Even fabrics to cardstock.

There is no limit to the number of sheets we can multiplex into one.

Showcard Proof Press Model ‘A’ .......SOLD

 Showcard Proof Press Model ‘A’ -- Manufactured by Showcard Machine Company, Chicago Illinois. USA. Circa 1950’s

This article copied from the Excelsior Press Museum, Proof Press section.

Notes about the Showcard--Vandercook Proof Press.

This “Mini-Vandercook” Showcard press is actually a standard proof press in every way. In fact we discovered that it was a Vandercook because it is identical in design to the Vandercook Model 99 proof press – same design, same bearings, ect. – Just quite a bit smaller. Fritz Klinke – current owner of the Vandercook/Vandersons name and records confirms a list of serial numbers assigned by Vandercook to these “Showcard” presses.

This press can be used to print from any sort of standard type, linotype, Ludlow, engravings, photopolymer plates – any standard type high .918 type or relief plate.

One additional feature of the Showcard, not found on the Model 99 and 01 “big brothers” is the gripped at one end which holds the sheet – or card in place – allowing for a form or register which makes this little press practical for short runs of ‘loose-register’ multi color work

The special Showcard type, is in fact, regular foundry type with a slot cut into the bottom.

The slot allows the type to fit over the square rods that form a removable, adjustable grid in the bed of the press. The Showcard Company expected that this press would be used to print small point-of-sale signs in department and grocery stores. To make their equipment appealing to non-printers they developed an easy system of composition wherein the ‘printer’ would simply lay the type on top of the adjustable grid system which held it in place. It’s rather clever, actually, but only needed if one has no idea how to set type or lock up a form.

***To research this Press further please refer to these links***

http://www.briarpress.org/18648

http://fontlovestudio.com/journal/2013/3/12/signs-of-the-times-showcard-machine-co-catalog-1984

://www.scribd.com/doc/129989561/Showcard-Machine-Co-Catalog

**Drew Press** offers custom duplex paper & more to letterpress printers.

What does your card sound like?

Drew Press uses old school bookbinding gluing techniques to create unique, one-of-a-kind papers and cardstocks for letterpress printers and graphic design creatives.

We can glue almost any weight paper. From 20# text to heavy chipboard & coaster stock, Even fabrics. Registered ‘spot-on’ to within a few thousands of an inch. In quantities from 1 to 10,000

Pictured is a lift of duplexed cards.
Printed 2-color, 2-sides.

Glued after printing.

With perfect registration.

Duplex & Beyond Letterpress stocks

 My card is printed on a sample of quintalplexed cardstock. Constructed using 3 sheets of soft, felt 80# text, paper. Sandwiched between 100# Crane Lettra & 110# smooth Classic Crest cover.

 

 This business card for Drew Press, Inc. is printed in 3 colors, 2 sided, that is 6 passes thru the press. Printed after gluing, without any bruising or show-through. This was printed using handset types on the text so I kept that impression light.

This side of the card was printed while it was still moist from the gluing process.
This allowed for deeper impression while not not wearing out the type. 
        Thats a lie, it took  a little of the edge off........................But I liked it.

'Mini' Pot Devin cold glue machine

Here is a video of a 'mini'  Pot Devin Labeler glue machine in action.

I picked this up from Paul Frank at Perfection Type. These machines originally were made for applying labels for mailing, But the modern letterpress resurgence has given these little beauties a new and creative life.

I'm gluing 2 sheets of 80# cover, 2 sheets of 100# cover & 2 of chipboard .26pt. It can run 20 pound paper with no problem. Really an amazing range of paper weights.

It is a wonderful machine for small in-shop projects and to take on the road for traveling workshops & classroom situations.

Hell On Wheels Pt2

In March 2014 I had a voicemail left on my phone from a person who said she was with a production company in Calgary Canada, getting ready to film a show called Hell onWheels and wanted me to call her back.

At first I thought it was a show about fast cars and assumed it was something like the Fast and Furious movie and dismissed it as a low priority and did not return the call until 7 days later.

When I finally called her back she informed me that Hell on Wheels was a television series about the roving tent city that accompanies the transcontinental railroad’s western expansion. The show was returning for its fourth season and that the script called for a fully stocked 1870’s letterpress/newspaper/job shop called the Cheyenne Leader, which actually printed its volume 1, #1 newspaper on September 19, 1867.

The Hell on Wheels crew brought me to Calgary for 4 days on the set. They had all the equipment in its Cheyenne Leader building.

My previous post details the equipment package that I put together and shipped to Calgary. In addition to my equipment the set director also bought a C&P, 8”x12” from New York and a Washington hand press (approximately 14”x34”) from Briar Press. The C&P was very rusty, almost frozen and had fallen over in shipping and the main shaft with the drive wheel had broken along with the feed table support arms.

My job was the get all the equipment cleaned, set up and printing correctly and arranged to approximate a working 1870’s newspaper shop. They gave me a crew of 2 or 3 guys who would clean move or build anything I needed to assist in the shop assembly.

The crew welded the broken shaft and feed table supports. They then set up the Washington press, which had been shipped in pieces. They then sourced the correct bolts for the Paragon Paper cutter, which were lost in transit. Built shelf’s and work tables…then they broke for lunch. These guys are good, I mean-real good, if only I could have these guys and their resources in my shop for just one day…

After I had all the presses & cutter back put back together I hand set type for jobs which I used to I set up and run on each press and get them into working order.

 On the Golding 4”x6” tabletop press I printed a business card for the Cheyenne Leader’s Editor.            On the 5”x8”Golding Pearl, treadle press I printed a post card size ad/bill for the Leader.                      On the 8”x12” C&P I set up and printed a card for the Palace Saloon’s bingo day, meat raffle.                On the Washington press I printed a No Credit sign for the Casino/Saloon and a Wanted for Murder poster.                                                                                                                                                       Finally I cut a stack of 'Paladin's' business cards on the Paragon Paper cutter to make sure it was true and parallel.

Ultimate Press Check. The last day I was there we had a large group of people do a walk through the shop to see how it all looked. The director,producer, writers, set decorator, property master and a few more showed up. I explained how letterpress worked, what each piece of equipment was, answered questions. Then I worked with 4 extras. Each one took a turn on the presses so that they could get comfortable running them and look like they knew what they were doing. These guys may be in the background shot working the equipment.

Hell on wheels Pt 1

A fun couple of weeks at Drew Press. I was contacted by a production company who needed an antique letterpress shop, circa 1875 for season 4 of "Hell on Wheels". 
Hell on Wheels is an American western television series about the construction of the first Transcontinental railroad across the United States. The series follows the Union Pacific Railroad and its surveyors, laborers, prostitutes, mercenaries, and others who lived, worked and died in the mobile encampment called "Hell on Wheels" that followed the rail-head west across the great plains

Here is the package I put together for them;

Furniture Cabinet

Pearl, Floor model, treadle driven, 5” x 8” press, 

Pearl, Table-top, hand operated, 4” x 6” press

Paragon, Paper cutter, guillotine style, hand operated

Hamilton type cabinet, single bank, 24 drawers, 18 w/type

Hamilton, double type cabinet, 48 drawers, most filled with type

Hamilton Furniture cabinet

Rouse, American lead & slug cutter

Rouse, Miter

Annie Walsh's first Press
A Golding 5" x 8"

1890, Golding Pearl OS #1
Previously owned by The
 Scott Free Press.

1890's Paragon paper cutter
Rescued from garage in
Osseo Minnesota

Type cabinets from Perfection Type,
Minneapolis  Minnesota

 

 Miscellaneous 'stuff' also needed in every letterpress shop.

Lock-up stone                       Line Gauge                                 Shop apron

Lock-up furniture                  Tympan paper                             Gauge pins

Leads & slugs                       Pressboard & packing                 2 hand composing sticks

Quoins, keys                         Paper, Cardstock                        Rouse Lead/slug cutter

Type planer & mallet             Wash up container                      Rouse miter

Twine                                     Notary seal stamp                      Ink knife

Sealing wax                           Ink brayer (2)  

They also have a Chandler & Price 8' x 12" Treadle driven press that is in rough shape and some type of proof press that I have not seen yet.

The crew at HoW is flying me up to Calgary on Monday 21st 2014 to act as a consultant. I will be putting the finishing touches on the equipment, to get it into running/printing shape. I will be working with the props people and possibly the actors to teach them how everything works and how to use the presses and type so they can pass as letterpress printers circa 1885.