First Art Class: Printmaking

My friend, Andra, and I have started taking art classes at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. I have really enjoyed taking one class a week and learning art techniques that I could never do on my own. Our first class was in print making where we learned to use presses to make stationary, etc.

The class was technically entitled Introduction to the Platen Press, and we made stationary and business cards. The platen press is designed for mass production back in the day. The Platen Press itself is pictured below on the top row, and the cards "MERCI." and "close your eyes and feel the sun shimmer." were made using the platen. If you look closely on the platen press picture, you can see some sample business cards.

The Platen Press process proved to be very time consuming, so we also had fun using a proof press during down time. The proof press is designed to make sure your type set is set up correctly before mass producing that particular print on the Platen. The bottom row of photos demonstrated that technique.





























The pictures are courtesy of Andra Johnson, and you can see even better photos on her blog posts: Letterpress Love and Letterpress Prints.