The images are terrible, but I’m excited about the progress. Photo 1, no packing. Photo 2, heavy packing on the first line, Photo 3, light packing on the first line, Photo 4, light packing on the top line and two runs through the press.
It’s not perfect, but we’re getting there.
“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
So, here’s the thing. Figuring out why something is or isn’t printing well on a press is difficult. I am posting my progress so anyone interested can learn from my mistakes!
I’ve already realized one problem with this update– I changed the ink from yesterday’s series of photos. Instead of using the same black, I switched to brown. I have no idea if that’s part of the problem, but here’s what I have so far. The photo on the left is printed on the proof press, hand-inked. Other than a nick in the “O” it’s not bad. On the right, the chase in the Pearl. Centered correctly? I’m not sure.
On the bottom left, the print showing less ink than when I hand-inked but also it fades toward the bottom. When I reverse the chase, it fades on the bottom again. Does this indicate a platen out of alignment? Perhaps but it was just adjusted recently. I did take the press on a long car trip after that, so hmmmm.
Anyone want to weigh in on this? :) How am I doing @Emily?
#letterpress
Edited: Ah, just heard from John Falstrom, the man I bought the press from. He suggested I remove the tape from the rails, since it was placed there for the old rollers. Mine are new and may not need it. Sounds right to me! Thanks, John.
Ok, not quite aligned and too much ink. But I’m getting there.
Now that I have my press/type/stuff moved to Water Street Studio, I can settle in and figure out how to do this. Yesterday I practiced with my limited wood type. I am missing letters and the “K” is broken, so the result was only adequate. I did manage to set a line of metal type and finally got it to print without smearing. Next purchase–more wood.
This morning I figured out how to scan Elizabeth’s line drawing into PS and then place it in Illustrator, rasterize it, and upload it to make a polymer plate. My first few attempts were not black and white, so the plates split into four, each with a different color (CMYK)–not good. (Am I even using the right terminology?) But my last version seemed to work. Fingers crossed.
I am hoping to get the plate so I can make posters for First Friday. That should keep me busy….and one day I’ll begin writing agin.
My type arrived in two cartons from #letterpress things in MA today, and I nearly broke my back getting it inside the house. (Sorry UPS guy.) Luckily I have two extra type cases so I can split them. Otherwise, I’m not sure I could even carry them down to the studio. So tonight I’ll be separating the type, letter by letter and number by number. I have to say–I’m looking forward to having all the stuff in one place so I can finally work. (14 and 24 pt Caslon–it’s gorgeous).