Projects

Becky Chan of Honey and Bloom designed this beautifully modern invitation suite. The solid green leaves were achieved by double-inking the green plate. This bright green and warm grey color combination has become a favorite around the shop.

Notes: Printed in 2 colors on 220# Crane Lettra Pearl White paper with matching printed Lettra envelope

This poster idea was created by San Francisco industrial designer Joey Roth. The original which was featured in the hustler-themed 48 Hour Magazine was not letterpress printed, but Joey wanted to have a special edition printed with us following the encouraging response for the poster in the magazine’s release. You can purchase the poster on Joey’s website here.

Notes: Printed in black on 32# Crane Lettra Pearl White on the Nebiolo cylinder press

Every once in a while we are requested to print on non-traditional material. When asked to print on wood veneer, we were skeptical, but anxious to see the results. Wood veneer does not allow for a deep impression, but the uneven surface does create a neat weathered look, showing off the patterns in the woodgrain.

Notes: Printed in 1 color on wood veneer in Maple from cardsofwood.com

Our first self-promotional piece has gone out, and many thanks to all who have written with kind comments about it.  It was a lot of work, but we’re all very proud of the final result. The idea came from a small, pocket-sized metal perpetual calendar given away by Kaufman-Seeds in Ashtown, Arkansas in 1973.

Notes: Printed in 5 colors on the front and 5 colors on the back on 18 pt Mohawk Renewal board. The moving wheel mechanism between the front and back boards is printed in 3 colors.

If you would like one, you can visit our Etsy store at dependableletterpres.etsy.com

This clever illustration was created for Turner Duckworth’s 2009 Holiday card. The illustration is printed on a separate sheet that is then tipped into an embossed “frame” on the folding card.  We mounted half of the cards to show the London skyline, and half to show the San Francisco city scape, for the two offices of Turner Duckworth. The large solids were difficult to achieve, but definitely worth the effort.

Notes: Printed in 3 colors on 110# Lettra fluorescent white

Here is a beautiful save the date token designed by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls, one of our favorite calligraphers, treat-bringers and jet-set globetrotters.  The tag is printed on 220# Lettra Duplex for maximum depth of impression, die cut with a slot hole punch to accommodate a wide ribbon.  Maybelle sourced the perfectly-rusted keys at a Paris flea market.  Check out Maybelle’s other work here.

Check out the just-opened Heart wine bar on Valencia St near 24th.  It’s a beautiful space and a great new addition to the Mission’s bountiful offerings for food and drink.  Kitchenette is serving food, there is art on the walls… and we printed their business cards.

Notes:  One color printed in two passes, on 110# Lettra Pearl White cover, die cut

We love working for wineries, in part because the letterpress process is such a great complement to what making wine is about- a traditional craft, an interest in quality over quantity, and an appreciation for having good work to do.  Chanda Williams is one of our favorite designers not only for her beautiful work but because she brings us so many great clients.

Notes:  Printed on Somerset Velvet Soft White 300g printmaking paper

We rarely get to use lead type anymore- in this age of desktop typesetting, few designers are comfortable delegating the typesetting to someone else, and hardly anybody remembers the traditional protocols around specifying typesetting.  Nevertheless, on occasion we get to use the type that rests in our cases and it’s always nice to revive the old skills and working processes.  When Jonathan Richman came into the shop to talk about a business card for his side business doing masonry he spotted the type cases and said, “I want that!”

I promised to draft something for him, and later that day began looking through the type for something suitable.  I pulled a galley of type out of the galley case but it was a short galley mixed in with the long ones, so I dropped it, pi-ing an entire galley of 12 pt. Nicholas Cochin.  Was it a sign?  Who knows.  It’s what we used, after several hours of picking up the type and getting it standing on its feet again.  One of these days we’ll distribute that type properly….

Designer: Dependable Letterpress
Client: Arcane Masonry

Notes:
Black ink on 110# Lettra Ecru cover, printed from hand-set foundry type

This beautiful wedding suite featured calligraphy and illustration by the groom.  We assisted in formatting the files for printing and resizing artwork to best fit the envelopes.  It was a deeply personal invitation to a special and unique event, ably coordinated by Nicole Sillapere and Rosemary Hattenbach.

Notes:  Printed in three colors on 110# Lettra Pearl White, using matching Lettra Marquis envelopes