my cheatsheet for letter layout in the caseLetterpress printing is how all printing was done over a hundred years ago: each letter, each space made of lead, set one-by-one, backwards. We have a beautiful shop in my town called North Bay Letterpress. I am training there to learn to print the old-fashioned way, and am called to write some poems about the experience. Each case, or drawer in the cabinet, holds a complete alphabet of a particular point size. So, for the Times New Roman font for example, there are cases for each size, from six point to forty-eight point. Each case is so heavy I cannot lift it! The case is designed so when you stand in front in the middle, the most-used letters are central and close at hand. Letters used less often are to the far right, far left, and top. You'll notice, at the top left and right corners, ligatures--more than one letter set together so the spacing is pleasing--functional ligatures on the left, aesthetic ligatures on the right.
You reduced what appears to be a complicated process into a short, tightly crafted poem! Bravo! Sounds as though this will be a fun and tactile challenge... (When I first glimpsed the photo of your cheatsheet, I thought it was a component for a board game!)
More poems to come on this adventure. And yes, it is tactile. Half of the pleasure. And the shop is amazingly quiet, because motors don't run the things. Nice.
Letterpress! So great. You'll be able to print beautiful broadsheets of your work. Love it. I have two friends here who have presses. I'd love to learn or even get my hands on a small press. Have fun with it, Amrita. xo
I've composed the type and printed one poem, for a dear friend with stage four cancer. Today I'm going to an art store to look at handmade papers! So fun.
Oh, yes, more letterpress poems! I will eagerly follow your progress! I used to replace type in type trays at the local newspaper where I swept up around the linotypes. Learning the California Job Case layout takes some time, but once you have it, you have it! Bravo, you!
I wish I could go in more days than I am able. That way, I would learn quicker. I'm so glad you are interested in these poems. I've written six so far, but only two have posted.
Sounds fascinating! Enjoy!
SO fascinating. And like handweaving connected me with weavers through the eons, letterpress printing connects me with my forebears, too.
You reduced what appears to be a complicated process into a short, tightly crafted poem! Bravo! Sounds as though this will be a fun and tactile challenge... (When I first glimpsed the photo of your cheatsheet, I thought it was a component for a board game!)
A very different kind of board game!
More poems to come on this adventure. And yes, it is tactile. Half of the pleasure. And the shop is amazingly quiet, because motors don't run the things. Nice.
Letterpress! So great. You'll be able to print beautiful broadsheets of your work. Love it. I have two friends here who have presses. I'd love to learn or even get my hands on a small press. Have fun with it, Amrita. xo
I've composed the type and printed one poem, for a dear friend with stage four cancer. Today I'm going to an art store to look at handmade papers! So fun.
Oh, yes, more letterpress poems! I will eagerly follow your progress! I used to replace type in type trays at the local newspaper where I swept up around the linotypes. Learning the California Job Case layout takes some time, but once you have it, you have it! Bravo, you!
I wish I could go in more days than I am able. That way, I would learn quicker. I'm so glad you are interested in these poems. I've written six so far, but only two have posted.
It appears you may have had a more purposeful day than I!
So fun! Challenging, clumsy, not remembering, asking, trying again. The first piece of paper off the press. Worth it!
Tomorrow, I want to go to Rileystreet Art Supply, look at handmade papers....