Inform: Revival and re-invention of Letterpress
Letterpress: revival and re-invention at Downey & Company
The beauty and texture of letterpress printing has seen a revival at Downey & Company for the past 6 years. Letterpress, the process of applying ink to metal type and then pressing it on to paper, is sought after for its exquisite look and bespoke, quality finish. Leo Turner, Sales Director at Downey & Co. explains that many clients come to him asking excitedly whether Downey can do letterpress. Leo replies “Yes, we have been doing it since the 1980s”.
Downey & Company have a long, rich history in the print industry. Established in 1903, Downey began purely as hand engravers. In the 1970s die stamping and printing the plates they engraved was introduced. Lithographic printing became part of the business in the 70s and was followed in the 80s by letterpress. The values of quality and attention to detail that hand engraving embedded in the firm remain the key focus at Downey.
Letterpress was used in the past to print everything from books and newspapers to posters and stationery. At Downey, many old letterpress machines remained in the factory after the 1980s but were converted into paper cutters and foil blocking machines. In the 80s there were two apprentices of letterpress at Downey who are still there today and can recall how the original craft required ‘kissing’ the paper with ink without leaving an indentation. It was paramount that the ink was consistent on the page and great lengths were taken to ensure that the pressure of the letterpress block was even.
Modern letterpress is coveted for its sunken debossed effect and uneveness of ink coverage. To achieve modern letterpress, the craftsmen find themselves going against the traditional methods of balancing pressure and ensuring consistent ink coverage in favour of achieving a handmade, tactile, individual look and feel.
Leo believes that the qualities of letterpress appeal to digitally fatigued clients who are once again embracing craft and bespoke results. He explains that the desire for traditional printing techniques is a rejection of modern print and a longing for individual, niche stationery and invitations which capture the imagination.
The popularity of modern letterpress is also due to its environmentally friendly credentials. A letterpress machine is small, uses water based inks and the metal letterpress blocks are recyclable. The feel of letterpress is not synthetic or artificial. Soft, thick uncoated papers give stationery a natural feel and timeless sophistication. Modern letterpress is a craft that is not widely available and cannot print photographic imagery. Many of the clients at Downey & Co. feel that these limitations are all part of it’s charm.
Traditional letterpress was restricted to the typefaces and type sizes that the printer had available. The metal block that is used for modern letterpress is created using digital methods allowing any typeface or illustration to be used. Superior new methods have increased the quality of the metal block, making the end result sharper and more accurate.
Modern letterpress is a perfect example of a traditional technique that has evolved to meet the needs of a new generation. Downey and Company have found that the traditional technique has been reinvented in many respects in favour of achieving a hand made, individual outcome.
Further information:
Call Leo on 020 7739 8696 or email him!
www.downey.co.uk
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