Cranky Pressman

{ LET LETTERPRESS BE LETTERPRESS }

Tips on designing for the medium.

The mood took a turn for the worse and things got awkward when Keith Berger, the Cranky Pressman, took the stage at the recent Pecha Kucha Cleveland 8 event. As shown in this video, he lectures for over 6 grueling minutes about creating design and artwork for letterpress print production. It's like watching ink dry on paper.

Thanks to AIGA Cleveland for putting everyone through this experience.

{ Jennifer Daniel ~ Unicorn Groomer }

¶ When I first discovered Jennifer Daniel's work I was struck by the concise wit and fantastic diversity of her portfolio which ranges from icons to illustration and information graphics. Then when our letterpress printing shop was recently called upon by Jennifer to print her new business cards my delight could hardly be contained to find out that Ms Daniel had diversified her business even further to now offering professional unicorn grooming services.

Hand-Cranked Social Media

¶ Getting along with others is not easy. Relationships require all that commitment of personal time, attention and effort, even when not particularly in the mood. But it’s the price you must pay if you want a bridge foursome.
    Online social networking is just as difficult. The searching, writing, posting, commenting, uploading, tweeting, retweeting and even retweeting damn retweets is as labor intensive as hand-setting 12 point lead type.
    This recently completed letterpress project for Shadow Works depicts the big search and social networking websites as clunky old apparatus. Having plodded along for a while now with twitter, facebook and the like, I appreciate the comparison. Even though it’s made on a computer, the best social networking feels hand crafted by an actual person who cares.

Continue reading to see the whole Shadow Works series and a list of this old letterpress printer’s feeble attempts at social networking.

The SOCIETY of ILLUSTRATORS

~ 52nd Annual Exhibition ~

    Cranky Pressman is pleased as Punch to have our piece included in the current Society of Illustrators "Annual Exhibition: Illustrators 52". The work we call 'Old Creative Juices' was created by our old friend the talented and witty David Flaherty. Cheers Dave and congratulations!
    Founded in 1901, The Society is a creative industry and New York institution. The annual show celebrates outstanding illustrative works in three categories; Sequential and Uncommissioned, Book and Editorial, as well as an Advertising and Institutional exhibit where our letterpress print is featured. Opening reception for the Ad category is tonight, March 5, 2010 at the museum’s galleries in New York City’s Upper East Side.

Production notes and copywriting for the piece after jump.

{ A TASTY HOLIDAY GREETING }

¶ We didn't get around to doing a Christmas card ourselves this year what with all those people stopping by spreading their good cheer. So instead we decided to borrow one of our customer's creations. The handiwork is by Parliament of Owls a brand new design collective made up of three ladies who seem to have plenty of mirth, gaiety and creativity to go around.

{ CHRISTMAS CARDS PAST AND FUTURE }

¶ It's that magical time of year again when thoughts turn to self promotion, client Christmas Cards and the joys of holiday production schedules. Usually not known as the jolliest folks around, the holiday season and the magical pieces of artwork it brings can't arrive too early for us. Order your letterpress printing now to avoid rushed and crotchety pressmen later. This is the first in a series of posts where we will share some of the cards Cranky Pressman printed for our talented customers last year.

    One of our favorite card designs, it was printed for Product Superior Company as part of their stationery and card collection. Designed by Jennifer Blanco. the needlepoint inspired artwork is an idea very well suited to the bite impression of letterpress printing technique.