Welcome to Typophile.

I think Apple started offering letterpress cards (which you could customize with iPhoto and then order) only a few years ago (2010 maybe) and there was already a renewed interest is letterpress at that point, at least among designers, but Apple's offering may have increased public awareness and interest in it.

David,

Welcome. I salute you, sir, and your compadres in what ought to be a dying breed. I was fortunate enough, during my working career, to see hand compositors and Linotype operators in action, and wss in awe of their skills and expertise. It's refreshing to find practitioners of the Arcane Printing Arts--wizards in a way, really--still going strong...

Many years ago I had a summer job in a small print shop and observed Linotype and letterpress, and the skill of the operators was indeed impressive.

Welcome David.

I myself am strictly forward-looking, but that doesn't mean I see no place for things like letterpress in the present and future. In fact my own "high-grade" card* I printed myself (on a rented press sadly):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48413419@N00/4121700633
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48413419@N00/4121695105

* I also have a Vistaprint one for people who don't know the difference. :-)

hhp

Hi David.

I'm a student of letterpress, both metal type and digital plates. I own a C&P Pilot and use a Vandercook at school. I've done some Linotype typefounding at the Bixler foundry too.

It's really great to have another letterpress person on here.

Here's a project I'm working on now that involves a bit of letterpress:

http://typophile.com/node/98708

Welcome Letterpress1964! I'm about to embark on some letterpressness, I have a drill press just taunting me ... and I have a laser cutter that will cut into most anything. I figure together I should be able to come close enough :)

n.

Hi guys - Many thanks for the lovely welcome...

JamesM - no doubt you're right - I just wasn't aware :)

oldnick - very nice to meet you - a wizard eh - made me laugh :)

hrant - yes that's the answer, expensive cards for those who matter and cheapos for the rest :)

Joshua - I guess a C&P Pilot is similar to an Arab Platen? - I pedalled many a mile on an Arab as a new apprentice before being allowed into the composing room :)

5star - good to meet you - can you please tell me what's a 'drill press' ?

Best wishes to all - David

So I had to Google "Arab Platen" — it looks like a flywheel operated platen press, similar to most C&Ps. The Pilot, on the other hand, is a table top platen press, operated with a lever. It was designed for high schools, more as a tool to explain and practice the basics of letterpress than for any real job work. It's a lot more difficult to injure yourself with than a flywheel press.

By the way, do you know about www.briarpress.org? It's a great letterpress resource.