The Atelier Press came into being in 1970 as the private press of Stan Nelson. Stan has been interested in printing since the age of nine, and formerly operated as the Nelson Job Shop and later as Norse Custom Printing. After becoming aware of the world of Fine Printing, Stan chose to name his press using the French word for the workshop of an artist or craftsman.
At the Atelier Press & Letterfoundry, Stan casts printers’ type using methods first developed in the 15th century. In this series of four short films, filmed by Out of Sorts Film, Stan demonstrates the preparation of matrices, assembling of a hand mould, casting type and ‘dressing’ the cast letters.
‘Dressing’ the hand cast type
Casting type in a hand mould
Assembling a French style mould
Hardening punches & striking matrices
