Details
On April 23rd we took a special trip to, Starshaped Press, a letterpress and design shop in Chicago that focuses on creating work entirely with antique metal and wood type. Most tools of the trade, many of which average 100 years old and are still used daily, will be on display and visitors will be able to see the vast collection of metal and wood type and ornament.

We looked at some type of particular note as well as rare tools and materials used when letterpress was at its height in the late 1800s. All participants got a chance to pull a print on a Vandercook SP15 proof press.

What participants learned

• How physical type (metal and wood) was/is manipulated to overcome limitations of the medium to produce quality design work.
• Experience some of the tools of trade used to create unique techniques in typesetting.
• What was involved in the historical craft of selecting, organizing and making good use of a collection of type.

Follow Starshaped Press on Instagram.