Out of Class Event: Letter Press

 For my outside event, I had decided to attend a letter press session with GID (the Graphic and Interactive Design Club) in the location of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. The letter press includes setting up type by hand and then printing it. First, I had to come up with my design through a quick thumbnail sketch. I was originally going to use the term "I am that is. My sword will wield for me." However, we were pressed for time (no pun intended) so I shortened my phrase to "I am that is." We then had to find what typeface we wanted to use and what point size. The largest letter consisted of a wooden type block while the others were made of metal. The typeface I initially used was called "Thorn", which consisted of All-Caps. The next step was to assemble the type, including spacing and leading on a contraption known as the stick. It helps set up the type, spacing, and leading so that when it is ready to print the components won't move. I arrived slightly late to the workshop due to inadequate directions, therefore I did not know entirely how to set up my type in the stick. I asked around and watched those who did know what they were doing. Needless to say, when I proofed my type, the words came out in reverse. I was slightly distressed by this error, but I had to do it again. By the third proof I had it right. Proofing in this case would include removing the type from the stick, carefully, into a tray that I think was called a gutter, and then they would be inked for a relief print. Pretty much, the process is relief printing. If the proof comes out well, the type is placed in this frame-like contraption with more leading and spacing, and springers to compress the area in the frame further. The printing devices are different from the proofing area. It consists of a round pad where the ink is placed, and a lever which pulls up the roller to ink the type and to print. I had to choose red for my prints. Printing was the easiest task. And my prints came out something like this:

I printed out 10 total of these. Only one came out grainy, but that is because I didn't pull the lever all the way. They asked us to leave one of our prints for the next group to see.