Grown-up business cards fresh off the press
As we ramp up our design work here in the final push before graduation, there are a lot of loose ends to tie up in order to have a solid, cohesive “packet” of goods to aid in getting a job. As we all know, one of those necessary items is a business card. I have been on the computer a LOT lately, from working on my portfolio book, to my website, and every other little design project that comes up. As the weather starts to brighten up and look more like summer I wanted to spend some time away from screen and do some physical making for a change.
We are blessed here at UD to have Raven Press, a fully equipped letterpress facility with tons of type, plenty of ink, and three working presses. As seniors we have attended numerous workshops and training sessions in Raven, so we basically get free run of the place. Unfortunately with everything going on I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time over there lately, so Malavika and I decided that printing business cards there would be a welcome change from our normal routines.
Although there is enough moveable type in the press to print the King James Bible, Malavika and I designed our cards electronically in order to keep typefaces consistent with our other promotional materials. Owosso Graphics in Michigan converted our files to plates, which are chunks of magnesium mounted type-high on wood so that they easily lock-up on the press.
This project began with a great deal of research and inspiration. Our professor Tricia Treacy provided plenty of council and guidance throughout the process and was even there to help get ready for printing. It also just happened that I stumbled across Studio on Fire’s letterpress blog in the middle of their printing an edition of business cards for French Designer Fabien Barral. We liked the cards so much that we ordered a similar paper from Neenah for our cards.
Below you’ll find some shots of our process. Enjoy!
Both of our plates locked up on the Vandercook 219
