Letterpress printing is a technique of relief printing. Using a printing press, the process allows many copies to be produced by repeated direct impression of an inked, raised surface against sheets or a continuous roll of paper.
Letterpress printing dates back to the 15th century, when Johannes Gutenberg, a German innovator, invented the first mechanical moveable type. Prior to Gutenberg's invention, block printing was the most widespread method of printing, dating back to 175 AD in China.
The letterpress machine became progressively obsolete in the 1960s and 1970s. By 1964, Chandler & Price, one of the most well-known letterpress manufacturers, had discontinued making machines. Letterpress lovers might buy ancient machines for a few hundred dollars in the late twentieth century. On Ebay, a Chandler & Price will now set you back at least $1,000.
I used the printing press for the letter “B” and tried to redraw it as accurately as possible paying close attention to the bends and trying to get it similar as humanly possible. From this exercise I learnt the small details that go into each typeface which makes them unique from other fonts which is quiet fascinating, and it changed my perspective on type and viewing it as individuals rather than groups this will impact my choice of typefaces for the rest of the module and what I want to achieve with a specific font and how I want to reach my target audience.
Comments