Short Letterpress Documentary (Wonderful)

[solefthanded2]

What a dolt. Watch the documentary.

[CJEChurchill]

Something I don't understand. These wedding invitation designers/makers. They say they letter press each invitation by hand. Seriously. Every letter on each invitation??? That would take forever!

[designlite1]

Great insight into letterpress printing highlighting the importance of older printing techniques

leaflet printing @design-lite.co.uk

[emageinc123]

Great subject amazing packaging!!! Sad fact that the letter press is dying and we cant do anything about it. Sorry Mr. Gutenberg :(

[MrFolette]

The whole thing would feel less awkward if the director just added a bit of music.

[emageinc123]

@MrFolette Letterpress sound is the most beautiful music!

[fraziergeo]

Forty five years ago I worked on large offset presses as an apprentice, then as a feeder operator. Back then we viewed letterpresses as relics of the past. Then I bought a 10x15 Chandler & Price hand press and fell in love with the art of using it. When I finally retire from my job as an engineer/physicist, I think I'll buy another one. It's a beautiful art.

[BOPPPPER]

If you want to see more of this subject, have a look at my website about hot metal printing in Edinburgh which is the website of 'The Adventures of the Gutenberg Boys'. Just Google The Gutenberg Boys.

[evensteven58]

My father, Abelardo (rip '97), was a General Electric electrical/mechanical engineer from the 50's through to the 90's in Philadelphia, PA. Most of his career involved drawing with straight edge tools and his lettering was done by hand. I was always amazed at how he could print like type. It took him years to embrace the computer which he resisted for a while. This doc reminded me of that dedication...Art takes many forms indeed (just couldn't resist saying "indeed")...well done, thank you.

[BOPPPPER]

The visuals and voiceover are excellent, the guy is a little bit preachy but it's OK by me, he's probably a very nice guy. By the way, if you are ever in Scotland you must visit Robert Smail's Printing Works in Innerleithen. Google it for more info.

[bowman13139]

I like the way the narrator speaks. maybe because I watched too much PBS NatGeo etc as a kid

[sliderslider1000]

Great piece. Was thinking about Updike's Rabbit Redux (is it?) and it was great to see the Updike pressing in here.

Yeah I think the narrator chose the wrong typeface for his delivery in this piece but the content was great.

[jkantor267]

Great video - pathetic patronizing reporter as always.

[noftus]

The narrator is whack...

[ronoskatealfaz]

pretty sure that the narrator learned how to read not too long ago...

[hilbert42]

Wonderful stuff. I'm an IT professional and I reckon it'd do my arrogant colleagues good to be more humble about the trades, crafts and people that work with their hands. Most would see such work as passé, and many would never have seen letterpress or wouldn't recognize it either, yet they'd claim expertise in typefaces and fonts.

Hi-tech is important but so too are these traditional skilled trades and we lose them at our peril. Moreover, handcrafted work is usually more beautiful. 

[fbrody]

The narrator is somewhat irritating - and that's good. Somehow it adds a bit of spice to the video - if you ever met someone like that in real life - highly interesting, very sure of himself, a bit preaching and a bit obnoxious. IMHO opinion it adds to the video.

[FarceTheory]

It will die eventually! I do not think that. This art does not belong in a museum. Simply of one fact. In the 19th century all morse code operators in America were experiencing the same event, "Electrocution" They didn't know it at the time but it was our own Sun to blame. God Speed to all art's

[redtank40]

What a shame the narrator is so irritating. Otherwise great vid

[chrondeezy87]

Good god just use a damn photopolymer plate already.

[duci71k]

Great video man...I am a letterpress printer and am still happy doing it after a half of a century of working on those machines. You have to love the job to do it...

[rjdidit]

I got a line of type from that Linotype!!

[treborif]

Hi - I'm a letterpress printer/publisher. Would love to have that monotype caster! - I've got 100 plus trays of type but they're getting worn but have found a type foundry in SanFran. R.

[kittenturkey101]

Spectacular! As a mixed media and monotype artists, I am stimulated to learn more about this craft to use in my work. For the love of paper and the written word in all it's glorious variation!!

Thank you for this lovely, inspiring video.

[bumblingbard]

As one from the digital generation, I can't quite adequately articulate how wonderful this craft is, and how important it is.

I hope it never dies; I will always love reading pages printed from a letterpress than an electronic laser printer.

[Langoskarli]

It's unfortunatley said that skills that once thought us to do something so masterful are eventually need to retire.

[mcdonals2007]

Wonderful. It is the 3D-like impression on the paper that can never be matched by modern technology. Thank you for this video.

[MsCellany]

The video was as elegant as the subject. Masterful!

[gabswiss]

Nice video! I'm 30 and started in the printing business right after school (apprenticeship) and I'm glad they made me learn letterpress printing as well (it was on a Heidelberg windmill)

[tonofdynamite]

I started in 1976 as a Letterpress Comp, and do have an understanding of computers, and have enjoyed my trip! Loved this clip, many thanks...

[YoussefS]

bent voice...

[vickozoomba]

I remember my trade and craft very well. My generation is nearly he last one to come into the trade in numbers here in the UK. During my apprenticeship I learned to have a very sharp eye for detail and colour. Quality always came before production speed. I'll never forget the smell of the ink, the coldness of the caseroom on a monday morning, the satisfaction of a job lying there drying. Nostalgic? Perhaps. Those were hard times too. The trade is all but gone but the craft hasn't - thankfully.

[seatrout16]

Nice video, I was a hot metal compositor back in the 70s. Five years apprenticeship. I remember the Monotype Supercaster and the Intertype. Like you say it will die oneday because very few people will remember it. I still work in printing as a HP indigo press operator. Nothing can beat the bite in the paper of letterpress. Hand setting was a real craft and artform. I was proud to be part of it.

[victrypa]

Loved this. So elegant compared with computerized typography. I used to be a printmaker and miss the physicality of the craft.

Want my own letterpress now.

[johng122]

For friends in letterpress checkout the web site HEIDELBERG REPAIR for friends and help.

[thousandpoundpress]

I certainly hope people will remember. I am 29 and doing my part to keep it alive.

[treborif]

foundry type is made from antimony, lead and tin - for durability. Monotype is lead and quite soft (relatively) - sorts are the characters you buy as extras (!+%?{}) when you buy a full font of type. Laypins (3.01) trays 3.05

[bouncingsouls6]

what typeface is that 'Q' in the beginning!?!? that was the most beautiful Q ive ever seen

[schafer4016]

god when will these old hacks accept computers and accept that there IS a proper way to do this by computer. Setting type in Adobe Illustrator is still an art form in itself. I HATE old traditionalists beating and slamming the new. For the new is what shapes this art form, graphic design. SO DIE YOU OLD F*CK. DIE

[spookymoo]

If you do not understand letterpress type setting you can never be a typographer. Just because you can do it on screen doesnt make it any better or worse. Setting type on screen is not an art form if you do not understand the rules of typography. The computer doesnt do it for you. It doesnt auto kern your letters etc.

[xfreshtildeath]

you contradict yourself in the first and second sentence.

[ttk1opc]

A single unit of type is a sort, make sure you keep enough on hand or you will be....out....of....sorts. OH SNAP! Who is the narrator? Sounds like buzz killington.

[maximusv1]

haha Buzz Killington! Best.

[BobbyIronsights]

On one hand I think the lettertype process is fantastic, the machinery is neat, and the photography is well done. There was a minor fact checking issue (it's an alloy called linotype, not lead, most likely)

On the other hand; the ridiculous enunciation of the narrator makes him sound like a pompous fool, and takes away from the presentation significantly. It's really too bad.

[opelske]

"...people will no longer remember how to do it...." Well calligraphy is stil with us, so perhaps not.

[painesvillesandman]

I think now with more people downloading books and magazines and the talk of "the end of printed books" it is being forgotten that books are not just information, they are art. I could never replace the human experience of holding a printed book in my hands with the artificial one of staring at a lighted screen.

[opelske]

I agree. And, I wouln't want to rely on any technology that can 'burn' books with the turn of a switch or pull of a plug. Nothing like having the real thing!

[YoussefS]

the narrator.. ohhh ahhhh letterpresshh hooowhhhaaaa

[purplechris1066]

Well he certainly gets his point across!

(almost menacingly)

Over a hundred thousand viewings...

More people interested than you might think!

[Gitsoe]

CANT STAND THE NARRARATORS STYLE OF TALKING THO hah ....cool vid tho

[carole7777]

@Gitsoe I agree - Chuck Kramer is self consciously stilted and snobby sounding. Too bad. It almost makes me hesitate sending this video to anyone who is new to letterpress as its so officious and pompous sounding.

[samerziadeh]

@Gitsoe He sounds like agent Smith

[bezmolvie]

modern-day William Morris?

[Salvationmedia]

Thats beautiful

[niceredshorts]

Nice equipment! Cheers.

[Bobcat952]

What a romantic view ! Having served a letterpress apprenticeship many years ago I beg to differ. All those wasted hours making ready, give me offset litho anyday. A clean sharp image, you just can't beat it. I could turnaround a job on a 4 colour machine in twenty minutes and then run at ten or twelve thousand sheets an hour. Now that's motoring, that's communication.

[opelske]

Certainly good for fast communications and volume, such as newspapers and magazines, but books are another matter. Although, some of the older newspapers contained beautiful color art work, which is collectible today.

[hipnchic]

Beautifully done! Thanks for the info!

[johng122]

Pressmen / press owners, Join...HEIDELBERG REPAIR a website for HEIDELBERGS from the last millennium.....

[7R1574N]

Yay for Stumble, good vid BTW

[JaalaJ]

Awesome. Fantastic. Amazing. Much more skill required than the newspaper press I'm used to that's for sure. Thank you for sharing.

[x20aAthrun1234]

I would have to agree, this is a fine piece of journalism to share with everyone.

[theuprocker]

Awesome video, thanks for the share!

[amazingguitar20]

Great documentary. Very good composition and rhythm and pace.

[JIMNKITSUNE]

I find this video by links on links (u know that tend to happen) i wasn´t even looking 4 anything, just something to pass the time, so i watched it, and wow, i DO really like it. I never though i´d been unaware of something that beautiful, it´s just.... magic

[housti]

Even though I'm more into computers, I'm proud of having used the Heidelberg Windmill for seven years now. It's an amazing machine. Is there any work in the U.S. with the Heidelberg windmill, GTO 1-2 color machines or as a prepress operator? I've aquired both professions here in Finland. I'd like to work there for awhile and I always wanted to visit the U.S. :)

[macmonger]

Thank you for keeping this art form alive. I came here looking for info about embossing and found myself pulled into the world of letter press.

[wyllieohagan]

Thank you for making and posting this short documentary online. It is a joy to watch, and to listen to.

[busybees719]

Wonderful! The narrator reminded us of the man who read the audio version of THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP.

[outputlevel]

the narrator sounded like sunday morning when i was growing up. charles kuralt.

thanks for the piece.

[tandmark]

There are not many products of mechanical processes that can top a page of letterpress text for sheer beauty.

[hockey2299]

This program was very enjoyable. I work for a Letterpress company out of Syracuse. We process photopolymer plates for letter press. Its still a joy to see what other companies are doing in the field.

[JanetteHeffernan]

There is nothing like a master craftsman. Letterpress like traditional bookbinding seems to be a dying craft.

Fortunately today one can make DVD's to preserve the craft for future generations. Although making this type of documentary is a labour of love, it is worth doing.

I shall take care of my old letterpress books and look on them with fresh eyes.

[servigraphic]

Excelente documental, excelente la manera como esta realizado y lo mejor: como el impresor disfruta su trabajo. no hay duda, lo antiguo siempre sera lo mejor.

[luc444]

letterpress will live on as long as people long to hold the page.

there is sensuality in the tactile.

[sklanger]

It won't die, but I like his attitude. There are so many young up and coming letterpress printers and private/small press bookartists who are preserving the craft. Plus, the internet has revived the trade somewhat. Handmade stuff (e.g. Etsy) is now de rigueur because it has found markets that it was previously insulated from. Letterpress is safe for another generation yet.

[THEinterrobang]

@sklanger too many "young up and coming..." have no idea about traditional letterpress. They print from plastic plates which isn't letterpress except that it dents the paper.

[cassloop]

@sklanger So true. I go to art center college of design and the printmaking classes are very popular and some of the most beautiful work comes out of those classes. Because of the overabundance of technology there is a growing movement against computer or digital imagery. Much like the Arts and Crafts movement was a response to factory or mass production. Some beautiful stuff is happening and I think the interest will keep growing. Etsy's popularity is the perfect example and even DIY.

[lowzone69]

and i still do this and im 34 years old. i imprint numbers, die cut business cards, emboss and deboss images. it is an art. sometimes the business end of it gets in the way and quality suffers. For the common invoice thats ok, but what he is doing is an art. beautiful, nothing else describes it.

[purplexenno]

i don't think it will die either, i have a degree in graphic arts (which in my day is offset printing). add to that, that my father is a pressman and i've worked on everything from an AB dick 360 to a heidlberg letter press. The only thing i've never run is a foil press and that was because my dad felt that i was to young to run one (they get very hot to "burn" the foil to the paper). I miss printing, since xerox made full production copiers we pressmen haven't really been needed.

[sketchpadcoffee]

I think there's some good points people have commented on this video. The workmanship is definately labourious, but i think well worth while. The guy said letterpress will eventually die, but i beg to differ! im 23, and im studying how to do it, i hope to make a future out of it. As long as people have a passion for it, i dont think it will die out so soon. Much respect to the master, Gutenburg.

[clawsbeatskin]

beautiful work but why do so many people

who do this seem so precious & lack a sense

of humor? The narrator is super-annoying.

[RayBot3000]

This kind of work attracts people with meticulous, and methodical methods. The very nature of the work requires it that mindset to one degree or another. There is a lot to keep track of and if you're not paying attention things could go wrong very quickly and that's expensive and even more time consuming.

[clawsbeatskin]

That makes sense-point well taken.

I watched this video several times after posting that comment & I kind of regret leaving it-one can't fault someone for seeming humorless. The man doing the voiceover even grew on me with subsequent viewings...

[stangable1984]

but your original comment wasn't as naive as you may think.

i studied this in college quite a bit as my school had several letterpresses. it is beautiful and nice ect., but the computer can be as well. the computer is just as man made as the letterpress--and things like picas matter in computer files too.

there is a fine line between being a craftsman, and a luddite. i'd hate to be the latter.

[acidodf]

amazing... realy amazing, the real art of type

[CrazedLeper]

Interesting and valuable...but I'm unlikely to take up the next watch.

[x2v2]

wow...really good

the john updike title was amazing

[pireze]

What a great video. The narrator-journalist feels the need to draw out his sentences eh.

[sillyiriot]

what an exquisite artform it is...I hope it never dies and if I am ever lucky enough here in Australia to cross paths with someone with this kind of knowledge I'll be first in line with my hand up to have the knowledge passed down...

[eks1966]

Excellent video! It's very interesting and looks phenomenal. Thanks for posting it!

[wishipu]

This is the most human

(obviously away from hand writing) for typography, and me, as a typography lover, this video means love, respect and beauty.

[krmelanie]

It will NOT die.

[Luminoth545]

That is because real art cannot die. It is organic and immoral, and our heritage. What a gift.

[WaterMedia]

Very beautiful. As a graphic designer, I wish more people would let me display the pure beauty of a typeface instead of using each print piece as an exercise in showmanship.

[NaiveAmoeba]

That was quite interesting, but the voiceover guy is pretty annoying. Letterpress is a beautiful thing though :)

[luciremagazine]

Some beautiful type there. I came in the photo era so I missed seeing this in action—and these days, really appreciate the three-dimensional nature to proper letterpress.

[thouarttim]

It occured to me while watching an add for Craftsman's new automated laser wood sculptor that technology, in all its convienance, is removing a certain intamacy that people used to feel with their trades. The ability to use our hands to create is shrinking, and it's nice to see someone who still preserves the tangibility of their persuits. Touch is so important to passion.

[north5880]

I like this clip of printers and seeing the print pressers getting their hands dirty with ink. Nice demonstration on how Mr. Christian applies the letters to the paper.

[opendoordesign]

This is beautiful typography and printing, and a wonderful documentary. I'll show it to my typography students and try to help them understand the magic of getting ink under one's fingernails. Mr. Christian is a crafstman carrying on a rich tradition. We can all be inspired by that.

[scotsmanuk111]

You don't want ink under your fingernails...I had it for years as an apprentice and why? Because the boss was too tight to buy gloves. Thankfully in the UK there is health and safety legislation to guard against this now.

[bottholio]

genius, compared to the thoughtless ink jet and laser produced dross that is no longer within the controlled responsibility and domain of a time served talented craftsman we are slowly lowering the bar to ground level.

Another indication that leads me to believe we are not moving forwards nor backwards but in a direction that is neither positive or viable.

[duepeace]

It's easy to say that the inkjet is "thoughtless", but while we appreciate the art of the letterpress, but let's not forget the technology, efficiency, and photo printing capability of our modern printers have their very strong merits too.

[bottholio]

Your right duepeace, I had been overcome by a massive attack of sadness for a skill all but lost. I hope there will be a place for both in the future. Since this paperless revolution broke out paper sales have gone through the roof, maybe the tech has allowed us all to become printers now?!

[scotsmanuk111]

You need to know more about letterpress in order to criticise it or make comparrisons with other methods. Although letterpress is an art and a craft as shown in the video here, it was used for long runs and four-colour work because lithography using sheet aluminium plates wasn't in main stream use. Letterpress inks take almost a day to dry compared to only a few hours for litho inks. Pages of letterpress text curl due to the impression on the sheet and this is especially true when using thin ppr

[elimineli]

I trurly adore the video, especially the wonderfull shots of the prints. I am not sure why but it gives me butterflies, classic typography... Perhaps there is magic out there... i still believe

[adagoodtime]

a bit long -

but hey

guess that's the point : )

[jdcapshew]

Beautiful work, with appropriate commentary.  Maybe antihostile & PiptheOC would prefer John Madden or NFL dimwit with some fratboy whooping.

[PSSSSSH]

:)

-

[WolfGrasso]

that´s wonderful.

[gunnerclark]

I worked over a dexcade in pre-press for offset printing and I found this delightful. Thank you. On a shelf in my livingroom I have three pieces of 'sort' as a reminder of the time I worked pre-press. Never used 'sort' but it stands to me as a symbol of the desire to produce good material for the pressmen and their machines.

[lifeinaustin]

Remarkable. "Out of sorts." That made me slap my forehead.

As a digital comic book letterer I really appreciate the craftsmanship in this. Great video, great story.

[PolliFaxToaster]

beautiful!

[chevithorne]

Thanks delightful.

As a 78 year old ...I now cherish my memories of a 7 year apprenticeship at case and platen with amusement and wonder that I lived through those awful years in a basement printing factory in London.

Keep up the fine work...we need this graceful visual pleasure

Bert

[smudger1941]

I really enjoyed watching your short video on letterpress printing. I was a time served compositor here in the UK and have fond memories of letterpress printing before I moved off to other printing processes but none ever felt like real printing.

Alan Smith

[matthewhare]

that's awesome, it's a reminded of what it is to do a simple job, so well, with so much capability. This computer world is always asking so much of creatives. The idea of having a niche, and performing that to perfection is very gratifying.

[PETALSWORTH]

Wonderful. Excellent. "I am only responsible for my watch" are words. There is "the process of doing" slowing to meet our humanness. Black ink, sweet.

[petrfiddle]

great - but watching the handfeeding makes me cringe..

(there is no need to have to give the paper an extra push, one simple movement to feed in the paper is sufficient)

I run a printshop with letterpresses as well..

[misslomlom]

WOOW

[FreeingYou]

"I am only responsible for my watch" - Great words. This guy understands he can't stop evolution but appreciates every day he has to work with Letterpress. Very inspiring words that can be applied across all facets of life. Thanks. This guy is awesome. He makes up for the 14 idiots I have met recently :)

[ohyehgiggidygiggidy]

As an apprentice typesetter/compositor i enjoyed watching this video. Im happy other people enjoyed it as well.

[roycewayne]

Wonderful,indeed, inspiring.

[fallofautumndistro]

Very nice job. It's so much fun to hear someone talk about something they're totally in to.

[kentatm]

that was nice.

[mikedailing]

Wonderful ;>)

[eawhitley]

I am a graphic designer-computer. This video is great. What beautiful work. Words pressed into paper cannot be removed easily.

[BrianHendersonWard]

I really enjoyed this film. Thankyou.

[coldtek]

awesome!

[thommeredith]

this was a beautiful and informative film, thank you Firefly, you are doing incredible work

[simpleplans33]

kewl