Printer Jam!

Barely before Christmas, I composed my annual (almost-sent) Christmas letter and sent it to the laser printer. The annoying thing was that the paper took the opportunity to jam. I was just tired enough, and mad enough, and it was late enough, that I walked away and went directly to bed. Knowing how difficult the paper path is to clear, I simply avoided the issue until today.

Since I had something to print out today, and my friends Dave and Angeliq are staying the weekend, Dave said he'd take a look at the printer for me. He's had years of experience in computer lab situations and I knew if anybody could clear the paper path, it would be Dave.

Presto! Dave got the rest of the paper out, but when he tipped the machine to make sure he'd gotten it all, we heard a small clunk on the table. "I think your type is falling out of the printer," quipped Dave, as he retrieved not one, but two sorts of metal type.

Only another letterpress printer would have laughed like Dave and I did.




The type actually fell from a ledge in the outside back of the printer's case, in case you're wondering.

Rust or TV? TV or Rust?

Today was my day in the Print Shop of the Museum (History Park, San Jose, California). But it was a low attendance day, so I did not ink up the press for printing. I proofed a cut or two trying to decide on my Christmas Card design, and entertained visitors who came in to see the Shop. Always a nice day.

Upon going to my Sunnyvale shop, I decided to work on my new-to-me press after dinner. I scraped rust and dried ink from the ink disk, scrubbed with solvent and steel wool, and whizzed around with a brass brush on the Dremel. The press, an 8x12 Golding Official (tabletop), is now much cleaner. I dug out the oil holes and added oil. Now the press is much easier to use than a comparable Pilot. It is also heavier, with greater impression strength, so I look forward to using it soon.

Rust removal: unless I can soak parts in Evap-O-Rust (a very good rust cleaner), I use steel wool and mineral spirits, or even WD-40. For the ink disk, my ink knife was good, since I could easily scrape the rust from the disk. I followed up with steel wool and WD-40. For the platen and paper bails, I used a Dremel with a soft brass brush. That worked admirably.

I found the oil holes, which were clogged with years of crud. Using a small drill bit, I turned it clockwise to lift out the debri and clear the holes. Then I could put a few drops of oil in each one. The press now opens and closes almost effortlessly. I am extremely happy with this press and can hardly wait to print on it. The trouble is, I have not yet ordered new rollers, so next month is the earliest I could get ink on this new wonder. Stay tuned!

After steel wooling, scraping, solventing, and dremeling, I am going to call it a night. It was Rust... or broadcast TV! I chose Rust.

Wart Two: Letterpress

I print. So what do you call me? A printer? But kids are learning that the box next to the computer is a "printer." What about the person who prints? In some languages, the default term for a person who prints takes the male article. So what about a woman who prints?

The weirdness goes further. I am no luddite, but my printing takes the form of letterpress work: type directly in contact with paper. It is considered antique technology. I began, appropriately enough, at a museum, where I demonstrated a press. Quickly appreciating that it was an approachable art (much more so than offset, which I had learned in college), I switched majors, as it were, to letterpress. My course of study did not change, but my printing technique did.

Current trends in letterpress involve more pressure than is good for lead types. The former mode was to achieve a "kiss" impression, where ink, but not indentation, was deposited on the paper. Being a devout middle-of-the-roader, I like a nice heavy kiss... one with a little character. However, I am not willing to sacrifice my type to achieve this look. If there is any question about it, I will order myself a plate from a good proof of the type. I won't have to worry about my type in that way.

I have been asked if I do wedding invitations or business cards. While I _can_ do such things, and have, I have not offered services for pay yet. Depending on my schedule, it might happen in future. However, first the post-move shop must be set up, and moving presses alone is not an option. Things progress glacially.

If you are interested in my printing, see my website: the3toad.googlepages.com/home. I have posted specimens and shop photos.

For printers (those of the human persuasion) I can recommend a website full of links: http://members.aol.com/aapa96/lpress.html, run by my friend Dave Tribby. Of his links, I think Briar Press and the "Letpress" are among the best. Your milage may vary!

An oft-quoted saying from the List: "Freedom of the Press belongs to the person who owns one." I am happy to be among the number.