<p>Platen presses were the essential engines of the printing trade through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but these once-ubiquitous letterpress machines gradually gave way to more efficient offset and digital technologies. By the late 20th century, platen presses had all but disappeared from the landscape of commercial printing, relegated to junk heaps and back rooms. The past two decades have seen a remarkable revival of interest in the art and craft of letterpress printing, and a new generation of craft printers has breathed new life into these elegant iron workhorses of the past. Originally published in 1931, this concise manual of presswork has guided generations of printers through the basic operation of platen presses. Everything is covered here, from hand-setting type, to adjusting the press bed, to regulating ink coverage and impression depth. Advanced operations such as scoring and die-cutting are also discussed. Polk's clear and accessible writing style has made this book a favorite among hobbyists and professionals alike, much sought-after on the used book market. A must-have primer, shop manual, and desk reference, it is now available in an affordable paperback format for a new generation to enjoy.</p>

Elementary Platen Presswork

Arts & Photography

Polk, Ralph W.

Graphic Design

Letterary Press

<p>Letterpress printing may be technologically obsolete, but to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. In fact,a quick survey of the stationery trade would suggest that we are living in a new golden age of letterpress jobbing and card manufacturing. Letterpress continues to grow in popularity as a hobby, and also as a specialty printing service. It remains a viable business opportunity for creative and courageous entrepreneurs, but the contemporary letterpress printer faces an entirely different marketplace and a whole new layer of practical concerns than her predecessors in the trade. Today's printers are concerned with restoring, maintaining, and working around the limitations of aging machinery that cannot be readily replaced. They are working with digital typography, polymer plates, and fixed-based systems, in addition to traditional hand-set type and worn, antique cuts. Marketing channels have changed along with the tools of the trade, as the Internet has opened up new opportunities for reaching customers. This book offers a broad overview of the contemporary letterpress business, from the practical aspects of printing to standard business practices. The first part deals with the practical aspects of acquiring, restoring, maintaining, and operating a letterpress, while the second part is designed for those who already have some printing experience and are considering launching a letterpress business of their own.</p>

A 21st-Century Guide to the Letterpress Business

Brown, Marty

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Books by Letterary Press

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Letterary Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Elementary Platen Presswork

A 21st-Century Guide to the Letterpress Business