#Letterpress cube full

During the late 20 th century, letterpress enthusiasts could buy vintage machines for a couple hundred dollars.

Chandler & Price, one of the most iconic letterpress makers, stopped producing machines by 1964. This printing process was used by publications for decades until the advent of the computer.īy the 1960s and 1970s, the letterpress machine became increasingly obsolete. The first newspaper to use linotype printing was the New York Tribune in 1886. The linotype, which was invented in Germany in 1884 by Ottmar Mergenthaler, built on the letterpress by enabling newspaper and magazine publishers to print more quickly and efficiently through the process of linecasting.

#Letterpress cube full

The 1800s saw both lithography-a printing process using a flat surface, oil, and water -and linotype-a printing machine that uses full lines of text-entering the printing world. For centuries, Europeans enjoyed having access to mass-produced works, and little changed with the letterpress machinery.īy the Industrial Revolution of the 18 th and 19 th centuries, printing had changed dramatically. Soon, printing studios were popping up all over the continent, churning out Latin and Greek texts, scientific papers, religious works, and philosophic writings. Gutenberg’s invention took Europe by storm. The Printing Revolution in Europe and beyond You can view an interactive copy of the bible here. The Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin has one of few complete bibles in existence. One of these final resting places is in our hometown of Austin, Texas. Most Gutenberg Bibles call universities across the globe their home. A single edition is valued anywhere from $25-35 million, with the last recorded purchase of a complete book being in 1978. Upward to 180 copies are to known to have been printed, with only 49 surviving today (29 are incomplete). The Gutenberg Bible began the dawn of literacy for the public, including women. Prior to the publishing of this book, priests and monks were the only people to have access to the written word. Gutenberg’s most famous printing is the Gutenberg Bible-otherwise known as the 42-Line Bible-which is considered one of the first mass-produced books created. Unlike the letterpress machines of the 19 th century and on, Gutenberg’s did not contain rollers, meaning the human printer would manually lift paper in and out of the machine. His genius included creating metal type using capital letters, lowercase letters, and punctuation and designing a longer-lasting oil-based ink made from turpentine, lampblack and walnut oil. Gutenberg’s creation did wonders for the publishing world and is considered the impetus for the Printing Revolution. Prior to Gutenberg’s creation, block printing was most commonly used in printing, a practice dating back to China 175 AD. The history of letterpress printing begins in the 15 th century, when a German inventor by the name of Johannes Gutenberg created the first mechanical movable type. In this article, we’d like to go over the history of the letterpress, from its inception at the hands of inventor Johannes Gutenberg to its recent revival in small studios across the globe. Everything we make is hand-made & unique.we strive to leave the world a little sweeter.For over seven centuries, the letterpress has been an integral part of printing and communication.

Sugarcube Press is a woman-owned and operated business. We also are members of and donate to 1% For the Planet and support other environmental causes. We use non-toxic inks & solvents, print on tree-free paper, and package as much as possible with earth-friendly biodegradable corn card sleeves and recycled materials. Our experience, creative passion, innovative design style and appreciation for loveliness set us apart from other letterpress providers. We specialize in custom letterpress and design for events, weddings, social & business correspondence, baby, and greeting cards.Īll of our products are letterpressed and are a tribute to the sweetly vintage, uniquely modern hand-made beauty of the letterpress craft.

Kelsie & Elizabeth, the sweet girly duo behind the design and printing of Sugarcube Press's products, have a pair of sweetly vintage 100 year-old presses. Sugarcube Press is a boutique letterpress design studio located in Ventura & Ojai, California.