Category Archives: typography

The Letterpress Exchange Group

April 14, 2009 – 8:42 am

The Letterpress Exchange Group was formed around 1992 by Claire Bolton of The Alembic Press as a forum that was exclusively letterpress, and small enough to make the task of printing not too onerous. Membership is strictly limited to twenty-five members and operates a policy that if one does not contribute, one does not receive […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in letterpress, printing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

O thou beneficent Art & Mystery

April 8, 2009 – 3:16 pm

Here is an interesting example of hand typesetting; from the back cover of the Spring 1937 edition (Volume XXXVI, No. 1) of The Monotype Recorder. Personally, I feel the mix of Albertus Titling (Series 481) and Sachsenwald-Gotisch (Series 457) is rather clumsy, although it is undoubtedly a striking piece of letterpress typesetting.

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in letterpress | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Accents in hand typeset letterpress printing

April 1, 2009 – 2:22 pm

A short while ago some mystery objects fell into my possession and it soon transpired that they were, as I had suspected, tools used in the craft of letterpress typesetting. The tools in question are two beautifully handmade filing blocks, in which a piece of metal type can be firmly held so that the back […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in letterpress | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Letterpress work from JMG on Le Cool

March 26, 2009 – 7:38 pm

I was delighted this morning to happen upon a wonderfully creative piece of letterpress work, by Ross Shaw and Jon Kielty of JMG, on the cover of the current edition of Le Cool. Ross, Jon and myself collaborate under the guise of The Occasional Print Club, along with Pat Randle, producing experimental letterpress work in […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in letterpress, printing, woodletter | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

…But I love Typography!

March 3, 2009 – 12:29 pm

This letterpress printed postcard was sent to me, some years ago, by Masao Takaoka; proprietor of The Kazui Press in Tokyo. It is one of my favourite pieces of letterpress ephemera, that I have in my collection. I received it along with an enormous bundle of beautifully printed samples from The Kazui Press and a […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in letterpress, Private Presses | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Letterpress Christmas card range 2008

November 4, 2008 – 5:02 pm

The gas lamps in the Typoretum have been burning late into the night, over recent weeks, but we are now delighted to introduce the fruits of our labour: a suitably festive selection of letterpress cards. All of these cards are now available for purchase via our website at www.typoretum.co.uk/christmas.html and a brief rationale for each […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in greeting cards, letterpress, woodletter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

2008 Christmas Card Designs – Preview

October 29, 2008 – 8:06 pm

Well, the festive season is drawing nearer and today saw the first snowfalls of the coming winter. The Typoretum has been a hive of activity over recent weeks in order to create a pleasing selection of festive greeting card designs. All of these cards will be available for viewing and purchase via our website at […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in greeting cards, letterpress | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

A ‘hot printing’ homage to H.N. Werkman

October 24, 2008 – 1:03 pm

Whilst continuing to work on the Wharfedale, and covered in a great deal of grease, I recalled a print that I made to commemorate my acquisition of this fine press in May 2004. It was created using the technique of ‘hot printing’ developed by the Dutch artist, typographer, printer and hero of mine; H.N. Werkman. […]

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in letterpress, woodletter | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

New range of floral ornament cards available.

September 20, 2008 – 9:39 pm

We are pleased to introduce a new range of floral design letterpress greeting cards, in four colour options. These cards are now available for viewing, and purchase, via our website. Please click here for more details.

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in greeting cards, letterpress | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

I Love Typography feature

September 9, 2008 – 8:00 pm

We’re delighted to have got a mention on John Boardley’s excellent I Love Typography website and hope to contribute an article to this site, on the subject of the renaissance of letterpress in the UK, in the near future. The original piece can be read here (scroll down the page a bit).

By Justin Knopp | Also posted in greeting cards, letterpress | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)