Press Please! Letterpress Kit

Posted on

Derrick Lin

Global

Design: Jennifer Seoh
Location: Malaysia
Project Type: Student Project
School: Taylor’s University
Packaging Contents: Book, Cards, Stationery, Type, Ink pads, Letterpress
Packaging Substrate / Materials: Wood, Paper, Cardboard, Plastic
Printing Process: Laser cut, Digital printing, Letterpress printing, 3D printing

Once considered one of the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China, traditional Chinese letterpress is no longer a sustainable practice in its country of origin. In order to raise awareness and preserve the craft, this project brings the unique experience of letterpress printing right to your doorstep—believing that if you experience for yourself how something is being made, then only will you understand its value.​​​​​​​

Introducing the Press Please! Letterpress Kit—containing everything you need to begin printing from the comfort of your home, this starter kit allows you to experience firsthand how letterpress prints are made. Inside the kit, there is an informational booklet, instruction manual, card stock, movable types, spacers, dividers, ink pads and a printing press that also functions as storage for all these items.

To create your letterpress print, all you have to do is arrange the dividers according to your paper size, typeset using the movable types and spacers, apply ink to the types and press your paper on top to transfer the ink.

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What’s Unique?
The packaging doubles as a printing press and storage space for all the different letterpress components, thus making the kit compact and convenient to bring around. Designed to be fully modular, the press can be divided into different sizes depending on your project needs such as name cards, postcards, square cards and more. It is made completely with wood and cardboard, as they are sturdy, lightweight and affordable. The movable types, on the other hand, are made by attaching 3D printed characters to 2cm-tall wood blocks. Not only is it more affordable, the materials and services are also very easily sourced. The use of 3D printers reduces the need for labour to produce metal types, and the resin is just as durable.