Gilding the Edges
Applying gold leaf to the edges of paper is not something that I ever imagined I’d be doing. It’s a slow and finicky process, which suggests that I should have counted on doing it at some point, since I tend to gravitate toward that sort of thing. It’s worth the time it takes once you have the finished product in hand, though.
These cards are a thick 220 lb cotton cardstock that were letterpress printed prior to having the edges gilded.
The Finished Wedding Stationery
This beautiful wedding stationery was designed by the bride, Michelle Butindaro. The printing was done here at Flying Rabbit Press; the text in black, and the accents in a subtle iridescent purple. You may have seen the photo of it in progress in the last post.
After the printing and trimming were completed, Michelle adhered each piece to iridescent backing paper, and mounted the invitations, themselves, to the inside of these lovely, cloth covered folios. The reception card, hotel card, rsvp card, and return envelope all tuck in nicely beneath the ribbon on the right hand side of the folio.
No detail was left unconsidered. The monogram on the front of the folio is a mere one inch square, but the invitations would be lacking with out it.
Busy, busy.
The last few weeks have had me cranking the press regularly. Here’s a sneak peek of a couple of projects, with more to come soon.
Letterpress Goes Folk
Okay, sure, letterpress probably already fell into some version of the “folk” genre, but Gillian Welch has made it official again on Tuesday when she released her new album, The Harrow & The Harvest. The beautiful cover illustration by John Dyer Baizley was letterpress printed at Aardvark Letterpress in California.
Taking it one step further, Gillian is inviting fans to stain the cd cover themselves with coffee. Awesome.
I just ordered my copy.
Distinguishably Letterpress
This spring I had the honor of printing and framing the Wisconsin Alumni Association‘s Distinguished Alumni Awards for the second year in a row.
The design, by Colleen O’Hara, is simple, clean, and elegant. The awards are letterpress printed on Rives BFK cotton rag paper, which is torn down to size by hand, and then mounted to a sheet of red Lokta paper before being floated in a mat for framing.
The Distinguished Alumni Award celebrates outstanding UW-Madison graduates whose professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the university exemplify the Wisconsin Idea.
Make That 25% Off
Letterpress printed Holiday Note Cards are ON SALE from December 20 – 24th! Receive 25% off of your total purchase when you buy note cards from the Etsy store. Enter coupon code XMAS25 at check out. Note cards are available in single, five (5), or ten (10) packs.
SALE at the Etsy Store!
Letterpress printed Holiday Note Cards are ON SALE from December 16 – 19!
Receive 10% off of your total purchase when you buy note cards from the Etsy store. Enter coupon code XMAS10 at check out.
Note cards are available in single, five (5), or ten (10) packs.
Vintage Cuts for Christmas
I decided to print some holiday cards this year. Of course, I didn’t really have enough time to make drawings, and then have plates made, if I wanted to have the cards printed and available before the holidays were actually over. So, I did a little digging, and this is the result of what I found:
I have quite a few vintage cuts, and some older handset lead type ornaments, too. I decided to choose from that lot, and make some fun and funky little retro feeling note cards.
It ended up being a lot more fun than I expected, and I’m really tickled with the cards. Now I’m on a quest to find a more varied selection of vintage cuts for future holidays, so that Christmas isn’t the only celebration that I can cater to.
You can see larger images and order cards on my Etsy page if you’re so inclined.
