When a client asks for something special, we have to at least try it out!

Ludlow Kingsley, a favorite to work with, asked if we could do gradients on edges.  Sure! Why not?

Wait, there's a catch? The catch was to edge these business cards for design firm Play & Co with their 2 Pantone colors to get both colors on ALL sides. We had to make sure the blend was just right to get that occurring third color right in between.

It took a few tests a tries but we're so excited with how thees tuned out that we might have to a set of prints for fun to do more gradients on paper!
 

I'm back in town and am a little late to share this. The story was posted while on vacation in Japan. I'm super pleased to be included once more in Refinery 29's selection of "30 Ultra-Creative Business Cards For A Killer First Impression." With a headline like that, making the cut sort of feels like receiving an award.  Ahem...I'd like to thank my clients for having me print these and my assistant for her helping hand. This wouldn't be possible without you. And thank you Refinery 29!" 

We were able to sneak in more than one entry for this slideshow and actually got 5 business cards we did on there. 5 out of 30 cool ones! Now that's a good day at the office!

You'll see cards for:

• Ban.do with holographic foil stamping + neon pink edging
• Savannah Farris-Gilbert's cards with a custom indigo wash
• Tiny Modernism's orange cards with a mid-century modern flair
• Belly Sesame's grey fine type coupled with hot pink edge painting
• Max Wanger's tone on tone square card. White on white is always a classic!

It's truly flattering to be among some amazing designers and fellow printers in Los Angeles. As small as a business card may be, it's assuring to know that there are still folks out there that appreciate a dang, good business card. Cheers!

Sorry for the lack of updates, things have been busy around here!

Aside from our usual printing, we have been trying out new techniques and processes in conjunction with letterpress to create even more unique projects.

Here are some progress pictures of different projects we had going on in the past few weeks:

Here's a letterpress + foil 2015 calendar by Oakland based designer Chelsey Dyer. It was fun working with her, be sure to grab a calendar before they're all gone! The only problem is, which color will you choose? Decisions, decisions...

First layer for Jonathan Finn Gamino 

Completed card with rounded corners! One of the most graphic cards we've done so far :) 

Indigo watercolor tests for Savannah Farris-Gilbert

Full indigo washes on the back of Savannah's card. Each one is unique!

Square business cards for Satchel, a handbags and leather goods studio + store based in Georgia. Gold foil on one side and mounted on digital on the other. This card has been mounted to allow the 2 different processes to work together- it also gives a different color to each side of the card. Logo design by Greta Ackerman

More foil! New update for Montaag, a very talented design studio based in Berkeley.

Color matching is a true test for the eyes. Mixing up some ink for Urban Palate's cards

Letterpress cards for Nuhr Studio, a production company based in Los Angeles who create short branded films with an emphasis on intimate details and the creative process. Definitely check out their work!

This is just a small sampling of the work that's been going on at Presshaus! Stay tuned for more updates soon.

At this point, I can say that I've printed business cards for a pretty wide range of creative types, but I've never met a client like this one I'm about to present.

Azalea Lee is not a paper person. It's just not her thing. Instead, ask her about mineral, gems, stones and she can go on for days. This is Azalea's element (pun intended). With her sleeves rolled up, she mines for each stone, brings them to a cutter coaxing out each stone's unique characteristic, and uses them for healings, sells them in their beautiful natural state and even makes jewerly from smaller pieces.

After printing her business cards, I hand delivered them during a family & friends pre-sale event and it wasn't until then that I understood her craft. I had no expectations during our first meeting, but was completely inspired by her passion and for showing me the beauty of these gems. It still astounds me that these rocks come from the earth just like this. 

                                the spread of gems

                                my pyrite rock

I picked up a sizable rock of pyrite (aka fool's gold) and it now shimmers in the center of my studio table. It's not only pretty to look at, but it helps increase energy, manage projects, and brings prosperity.  Exacly what I need.

Fascinated? Me too. Visit them here.

The specs:

• 220# Lettra, fluorescent white
• 2/0 colors (blind deboss + black)
• silver edge paint

Craft to craft.
Weave to letterpress.

Sutherland Weaving is a humble custom weaving house in South Carolina run by two ladies sharing the craft of weaving. We haven't met but somehow while printing these cards, I was touched to be able to print these cards for someone who is also keeping alive a craft of the past - theirs weaving and mine letterpress printing.

They will most likely receive their cards sometime today. I can almost picture Barb of Sutherland touching the cards and rubbing her hand over the text. Her craft too, is tactile will attention to detail. She'll know. She'll understand. This is why I've enjoyed creating these cards for Sutherland.