design + letterpress printing in Los Angeles, California
As a member of the Ladies of Letterpress crew, it's only fitting that I help put word out there that this letterpress geeky book is now available. I just placed my order in today and I can't wait to dive in and see fellow women printers in action. Please, grab a copy too!
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:
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!
We're mixing things up this Valentine's Day!!
Instead of the usual line up of beautiful letterpress Valentine's Day cards, we've teamed up with P.S. I Made This to create a super easy way to make your own very Presshaus-y card without the greasy and oversize letterpress machine. Erica Domesek, the founder of P.S. I Made This and innovator behind the concept of "I see it. I like it. I make it." came in the studio for a visit and to see what we could come up with.
Together we wanted to create something easy, chic and sophisticated, but we knew that it would be impossible to incorporate actual letterpress. Put the glitter away. Don't even bother with the glue gun or the fancy paper punches. We're busting out the gold leaf which is relatively easy to find at a local craft store and should cost about $10-$15 for a few sheets.
All you need is 4 things:
• glue stick
• cardstock
• gold and/or copper leaf
• a medium firm brush to dust off excess leaf
Take a look at their inspiration collage and quick how-to on their website on how to create your card.
Below are some designs I made in the studio using papers I already had on-hand. I'm a fan of neutrals and kept it simple with greys and nudes to the let the metallic shine sing. The jagged edges of the leaf really bring out the look of a hand-lettered premium foil-stamped card.
This how I started with paper. I was nonstop making cards and paper goods for special occassions. Go ahead, roll up your sleeves and create something for your special someone. Have some fun with personalizations, monograms or special love-bug messages.
~K
It's nerve racking to print in front of the designer and a camera. Cue the sweaty palms and nervous giggles.
Andrea of Nuhr Studio first approached me about printing her business cards, and along the way it morphed into this video of documenting the process of letterpress printing her cards in this short clip she shot and edited. She captured beautifully the start of the process with graphic designer, Maria of Grafikisto, from selecting the paper, mixing the ink, printing on the press and cutting. They made the day incredibly easy and fun so that moments in my nerves calmed and the anxiety subsided, and then it felt like a hang out with two fellow creative ladies.
The studio has come an incredibly long way since the first video of Presshaus LA made two years ago. Since then, we added two more presses making the total count of three, filled the studio with more furniture, learned a ton more about printing and even hired some help.
ooking back, it's been quite a journey.
Thank you for your time and talent Andrea!! Check out more of her videos (the surfboard and bakery videos are my favorite) on her website.
More on Nuhr Studio branding and identity by Grafikisto here.
I'm hanging up the apron for this and there are no inky finger tips on this post. Letterpress and paper aside, I'm so flattered and honored to be a part of this special collaboration. Jessica Comingore is launching the start of her new shop called The Essentials with this lovely blouse made in collaboration with LA fashion designer Jill Yee. I've seen tidbits of the creative process that went into creating this blouse and have even tried on an early prototypes; I can say it's tough creating a beautiful garment. The cut, the flow and feel of the fabric, the finish of the seams and ends have all been refined by Jill and Jessica together to create this essential blouse.
Big thanks for transforming me into a sophisticated and chic woman for an afternoon. xo
Here's a video of their collaboration by John Liwag.