Not dumb! I dampen Lettra sometimes to help with ink saturation–a damp sheet will require less ink and the solids will be more so. All I do is get a giant bag, spray inside it with water, and then spray every second or third sheet with water on both sides as I stack them in the bag. Then I seal up the bag, and put something heavy on top of the…[Read more]

Legion and Limited Papers both offer pre-cut sheets, and I think Keldon and Announcement Converters may trim too.

Thank you so much for joining! Sounds like you have the making of an excellent letterpress shop. 🙂

It looks like too much ink is the problem; I use very little (we use rubber base also), with very soft packing so the plate really sinks in. The back of the sheet bruises because of the soft packing, but this is the best way I’ve found to avoid smears.

My advice is to hire a pro! I’ve used Hodgins Engraving as well as On the Edge Gilding Services.

No taboos to break Bryan–we have about 70 menfolk who are members! So big welcomes.

Check out this blog post I wrote a while ago–handy step-by-step!https://ladiesofletterpress.com/profiles/blogs/die-cutting-on-a-platen-press

Depending on how much time you have, my converter turns around small quantities really fast. Email John at jsmaglik@yahoo.com.

At the Stationery Show, getting 5 orders is good on your first time. You may do fewer, you hopefully will do more. There were upwards of 50 letterpress printers at last year’s show, so competition is a bit fierce. Friendly, but fierce!

Check out Colorplan or Rising Museum board–both have several nice grays available!

Hi Erica,Buying parent sheets will actually save you money, since otherwise you’re paying the paper merchant to cut them down for you. If you have the capability, it’s most economical to buy parent sheets and then cut them down as the job requires. Trimming afterwards is by far the best and most accurate way to print bleeds–even if you only leave…[Read more]

I have a Triumph 5250 here as well–it’s an insufferable machine. 🙂 A company called Graphic Global services it and there might be a location near you as well. They repair all sorts of more modern bindery and printshop equipment, including cutters. There must be someone near you who does the same. Try asking a local commercial printer who…[Read more]

I’d make sure your rollers were perfectly clean and dry as well, with no leftover solvent, crisco, or grease from the press on them–that can wreak havoc and make for unpredictable ink coverage on press.