This just popped up on the listserv–I’m amazed at the badness of this idea. I guess if I wanted to print one of something . . . I also didn’t realize that we are all part of a Printing Lifestyle!http://lifestylecraft.com/

Sommerset Velvet! oooh, one of my fav’s. I know it works well with impressions. Savoir-faire also has great papers!

I print on t’s all the time with oil base. Permanent & washable. See photos here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/39571658@N05/3709872839/in/photostream/

I source mine from Keldon Paper in California. Currently you need to call them directly to place an order, but they ship same day, and their prices are great! They ship to me in Seattle and it typically only takes 3 days or so for a large order. Check them out!

I do Boxcar base and plates. registration is a breeze.Ink. Buy the PMS mixing kit and an extra can of white. If you are looking to cut cost on ink, you can get silver 877 and really mix almost any metallic from that. I Haven’t bought gold or copper yet and can mix stellar hues from silver, including gold. I use the white in my mixing instead of…[Read more]

I’m up for it (6 months late)!

I find a hard thing is that many presses have similar design styles and use the same stock (hello dover) which I myself use on occasion. Be aware of your competition and be familiar with other presses so when someone comes to you, you know who they are trying to rip-off (emulate) and then offer custom design as an alternative. My usual lingo is…[Read more]

I require 100% down (terms outlined in the initial estimate). If job is canceled during design phase they get 60% back. Once design is approved then job turns over to non-refundable status.If the client is stingy and asks for 50% down instead, then I bill first 50% at beginning of job, and then last 50% upon approval of artwork. If additional…[Read more]

I use lettra as my house paper and really like it. I might be wasting my time but I hand score with a fiskars 12″ trimmer and scoring blade set on. It creates a nice score/fold. If you don’t go with lettra though, Arturo has great pre-scored cards that I love too.

I use Gans Nature Wash. I had a letterpress instructor who’s father was a Chemist, he said the nature wash is not harmful (and not smelly) for printing, preggo and children. It works well and makes my press happy. I also took the workshop on maintaining your press by Paul Moxon (founder of vandercookinfo.com). He recommended Putz Pomade on rollers…[Read more]

I’ve got the DDs here and although it doesn’t bother me too much normally, when I’m pregnant that’s a whole other story. My OB recommend wrapping my ribs/chest as posture has a lot to do with it too. I just used a good old ace bandage and wrapped it tight every-time I printed. Otherwise I’d have “out” days where I couldn’t even walk!

Wonderfull !I’ll be doing some tests myself during the weekend.I’ll share the results of course.

I imagine you rub a little warm wax on the edges, and then rub with the flat side of the bone folder . . . someone want to give it a try and report?

Do you burnish the edge of the paper with warm beeswax and a bone folder? What does that do? Thanks for the tips!

This tip just came up on the listserv today:”I use water-based leather dyes applied by hand with a cottonwool swab =(squeezed out until almost dry) then, when dry, I burnish with warm =beeswax and a bone folder. (When I say ‘warm’ I mean softened up a bit =by being placed near a heater. Then apply with cotton wool. It doesn’t =take much.)”And Dave…[Read more]