Smearing Shmeer
Work very much in progress, smearing ink to visualize the word “shmeer” as page in forthcoming “Another Collection of Yiddish Words, volume 2” letterpress printed book. Helpful to use a lightbox to aid in smearing the ink with ink knife in just the right place; each one done individually by hand so that each copy of the finished book will be even more unique. At bindery soon; lotta sewing 🧵 this summer.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #letterpresslove #yiddish #yiddishwords
School break began with a visit to the Philadelphia area and time spent with letterpress printers Denise El-Hoss at Figgy Press, Frank Baseman at Base Press, and Marisha Simons at Printadelphia.
It was such a gift to see printer friends beaming in their own spaces and to hear how each person navigates a collection of presses, equipment, and materials arranged in often wonderfully cramped rooms, garages, and basements. Every studio had its own rhythm, its own way of working, and its own stories built into the walls. Of course, everyone dreams of just a little more room—to rescue or collect one more piece of letterpress equipment.
The conversations moved easily through listening, sharing, and offering suggestions about the current realities of building efficient studios. We admired each other’s tools, traded printing solutions, talked through recent projects, and imagined future ideas. There is something especially meaningful about having another printer beside you when so much of this work often happens in solitude.
We learned from Denise about honeycomb bases, took a look at the underbelly of Frank’s press and talked through a few possibilities, and shared in the excitement of Marisha’s floor plan for the new community space.
This visit was made possible through Denise’s generosity—opening her home and organizing time with printer friends in the Philadelphia area and in Baltimore. Since leaving Los Angeles a year ago, I have missed being able to pop into Denise’s studio, ask questions, and learn how she might solve a printing idea on press.
Thank you, Denise.
And truly - I am lucky to know and celebrate each of you.
Printer pals
Heart ❤️ full, fun times with printer pals and studio visits. Whole lotta fun with @dfiggy3232@smallchop_shop@marishasimonsdesigns@printadelphiastudio
Thanks 🙏 for everything and until the next time, take good care. Azaleas 🌺 and orchestra too.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #letterpressstudio #letterpresslove #basementprintshop
Tuchus in progress
Baby’s first linoleum block (I know, what took so long?), half of an ass cheek to illustrate the word “tuchus” for the work-in-progress next book 📕 of Yiddish words. Printing like a subtle varnish, and yes, eventually the 2 cheeks will meet at the crack in binding btwn the 2 signatures.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #yiddish #yiddishwords #artistsbooks
Getting inky with Montco
Great fun getting inky with a plethora of students of the Art & Literature club at Montgomery County Community College @mcccpa thanks to Dianne for bringing this lively group over. Y’all come back now anytime.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #letterpressworkshop #typography #graphicdesign @diannezmill
Recently
Just a few work in progress shots of the current book project, including some fun Frankenstein lockups; the Phils, who thankfully eeeked one out when we went; and the beginning of a garden.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #letterpresslove #yiddish #yiddishwords
Real World 🌎 2026
What a lovely time and great to see alums, thank you 🙏 sew 🧵 much Annika, Barb, Emily, Emma, Lindsey & Sam for your “pearls of wisdom “ and for your precious time at Real World 🌎 Alumni Panel event @jefferson_vcd
Great time had by all, and thanks to everyone that made it out to the happy 😊 hour afterwards. Piece out!
@basepress@iguannika@eprushan.design@empenrosegfx@empenrose@snkiblerdesign@linheis7253
Another Collection of Yiddish Words
The world 🌍 feels so tenuous and crazy lately and yet I continue to print. This time the beginning of the next book 📕 “Another Collection of Yiddish Words, volume 2.” Will ultimately be a letterpress printed book 📕 typeset and bound by hand, 6 x 9 inches format; 24-pages + covers + endpapers + outerwrap. It’ll be a while, but nice to get started. More to follow for sure.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #yiddish #yiddishlanguage #yiddishwords
Lovely Lehigh Workshop
Really fun group from Lehigh University getting inky. Thanks 🙏 Mo and students. If ya fancy trying out letterpress printing and getting inky, would love ❤️ to host you.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #letterpresslove #basementprintshop #typography
APA prop card
First piece for APA is a 3 x 5 inch “prop card” (I’m guessing short for proprietor). Anyway, here ya are and off you go to @typesyturvy #letterpress #letterpressprinting #typography #metaltype #woodtype @amalgamatedprintersassociation
Warning ⚠️ Dad Jokes ahead
Sometimes feels like things are pretty messed up in the world 🌎 these days, and yet ….
Presenting the (new, and hot off the press) Little Book 📕 of Dad Jokes, vol. 2, which includes 18 classic Dad jokes, and we present a few for your humorous pleasure. Many-colored letterpress printed book; 24 pages plus covers, endpapers and outer wrap; 6 x 9 inches, handset type and hand sewn and coptic bound; printed by hand on Mohawk Superfine. Limited edition, available on site.
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #dadjokes #dadjokesdaily #printersofinstagram
Metal Ornamentation
Work in progress, latest being some metal ornamentation as endpaper for next book 📕 The Little Book of Dad Jokes, volume 2.
Q. What did the drummer name his twin girls?
A. Anna 1, Anna 2
Badda bum
More to follow …
#letterpress #letterpressprinting #dadjokes #letterpresslove #artistsbook
