SFCB

I finally got to do something that's been on my Bay Area hit list since we moved. I think you know of my obsession with all things paper. Well, in San Francisco there exists this wonderful paper community that has turned into a full blown million dollar business. And in the midst of that world there is a shop that is devoted to teaching anyone who wants to learn about all things book. 

For a nominal fee they offer workshops ranging from bookbinding to calligraphy to letterpress. Last night I attended the latter and spent three hours immersed in the world of printing. 

This center has amassed quite a collection of fonts. Did you know that on letterpress cards, each letter/number/space/decor is individually collected and organized? And then once assembled, each card is individually run through the press using a manual lever?

We all picked a font and font size to work with. They had quite the selection, including Japanese dingbats!

 They had many different presses. Big and small, round and rectangular.

 This old soul was a Vandercook printing a "hello" card in pink. Can you see it?

Once we picked a font, our class chose a color and used our names to assemble one poster. Everyone got to use a few different letterpress machines. And we all went home with our work and a handful of other letterpress goodies.

I forgot what it is like to learn in a classroom setting. Motivating and inspiring.

On my way home it rained and lighting flashed across the sky.
A perfect end to a perfect night.

P.S. Two talented people I know who design, create, and print letterpress! Dear Lola and Micky Matsu!