Jenny WilksonModerator
Would you like to propose an article? Do so on this thread.
Jessica MolnarMember
Thank you for this site; what a wonderful resource! I would love to see an article about the proper way, start to finish, to build files for photopolymer plates. (I learned letterpress printing with hand set type and my computer know how is self taught, so I have serious gaps in my understanding.) What is the best way to create color separations? Crop marks, bleeds, traps etc. Can everything be done in one program or is it better to do text in a page layout program and graphics in another? Thanks!
Jenny WilksonModerator
Excellent suggestion, Jessica.
The Digital Letterpress section on Letterpress Commons could really use a single article that describes the file prep process. We have placeholder pages for related topics in Letterpress Commons, but haven’t had a contributor for them. I can think of a few professionals who would be good resources, I’ll see if we can’t get that content up for you soon.
In the meantime, any of the big three Adobe programs can handle both text and imagery, and sometimes you have to use a combination to get the artwork where it needs to be. All have handy (albeit not obvious) workflows for generating color separations, crop marks, and bleeds. We’ll make sure we get an article up that covers them all.
Jenny
Derek CroweMember
I’d love to see some space to talk about the manufacturing of wood type.
In the Equipment section, I propose the addition of “Wood Type Manufacturing Equipment.” Within that section, articles I would add include “Pantograph Routers” (here I can imagine information regarding the physics and geometry of the machine itself, variations in its form, and nuances of its construction.), “History of Wood Type Manufacturing” (hello David Shields), and “Wood Type Manufacturing” (where I could discuss the details of how it happens).
The “wood type” sub-section found in the “letterpress type” section is a place for information regarding wood type itself: use, maintenance, etc. and is therefore an inappropriate place for the type of info proposed above.
Thoughts?
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This reply was modified 10 years, 11 months ago by
Derek Crowe.
Jenny WilksonModerator
So wonderful to hear from you, Derek. I will incorporate those pages, and if you could please contact me offline we can begin the articles and see about convincing David Shields to contribute as well. Thank you!
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This reply was modified 10 years, 11 months ago by
Jenny Wilkson.
Jenny WilksonModerator
Hi Jessica,
Thanks to your feedback, I solicited a File Prep article from print production expert Molly Seibert from Evolution Press in Seattle. The article can now be found here: https://letterpresscommons.com/file-preparation/
Jenny
Keith CrossMember
It would be great to have an article on how to add workshop/class locations to the map. I haven’t found such an article yet, so if there is one, I apologize.
Eleonore LeeMember
Hi,
I would like a post about digital printers that produce a workable negative. Not all of my students can afford to have plates made and some are just consummate DIYers. I have been looking for a printer that has a driver that allows the image to be reversed (As far as I have found out, InDesign will not make your image negative). I’ve looked into silkscreen printers that fill all the ink cartridges with black ink, but it does not have the driver to make negatives… It seems that would be a useful discussion.
Thanks.
Léo
Jenny WilksonModerator
Hi Eleonore,
Thank you for taking the time to explore this. The subject of printing ones own negatives is brought up here:
https://letterpresscommons.com/experimental/
To expand on the information there, just click the edit button on the top of the article page. Or, feel free to send me your additions via email and I can post them on your behalf. If it’s enough information, we can start a new article on that subject.
As for discussion, I recommend starting a thread on Briar Press, and then coming back to add information you’ve gathered to the article above.
Best,
Jenny
jenny@letterpresscommons.com
