Posts Tagged ‘heidelberg’

Setting up the Paper Feed on a Letterpress –
Video Series Instructions

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

We recently made a video that combines two of my favorite things: tree-free 100% cotton fiber paper and letterpress.

The first part of printing every letterpress job (yes, including yours) is making sure that the paper is feeding properly.

Using mostly just the awesome power of air, those Germans at Heidelberg designed a Windmill letterpress system that is truly impressive.

Watch as we describe and show the unique set up process that is different for each size and type of paper on a Windmill letterpress:

If you still want to know more, please feel free to email us at ajalon@ajalon.com or visit our media library for additional instructional videos and information.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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We Found an Old Heidelberg Book
on Letterpress Printing

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Last week we were doing a little summer and fall cleaning in the print shop to get ready for the fast approaching spring wedding season. We decided it was time to finally go through some old boxes of letterpress materials, spare parts and assorted tools.

In one box of accessories that bore the signs of a letterpress life well lived, (grease, ink and old printed materials) we stumbled upon this book:

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While it did not specifically say when this book was printed, it is safe to say it is at least 70+ years old.

Printed in four languages, this list of spare parts was full of interesting letterpress information.

It made me think how classic of a craft we are partaking in. I almost felt like a part of artistic history just holding the book. People from around the world appreciate, print and purchase letterpress printed materials.

The timeless craft of printing artisan-style letterpress wedding invitations is nothing new to the people at Heidelberg, and being a part of this vintage tradition is a great feeling. While there are new technologies, procedures and craftsman, nothing beats the timeless spirit that letterpress creates.

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Since this law was created there have been wars, treaties, trade agreements and a whole lot else has changed in the world. However, we still print on the same machine using almost all of the original parts. Good to know that some great things will never change.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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Sometimes Old Machines Work Best
Today’s Wedding Invitations
With Yesteryears Letterpresses

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Did you ever have something that was obviously much older than the newer models but you refused to get rid of because it worked so well? Some things were built in an age when craftsmanship and a long life were valued over inexpensive, up to date, expendable products.

Not that I do not love technology and the newest gadgets as much as the next person, but sometimes it’s hard to improve upon something that works well. Take printing for example. Computers, software programs, digital film and more efficient technologies in general have changed many aspects of the process. Most of the time these improvements are welcomed and greatly increase the realm of possibilities for presses and what they can do.

However, some things have not changed, and for good reason.

Sometimes Old Machines Work Best <br/ > Today’s Wedding Invitations <br/ > With Yesteryears Letterpresses Photo

Letterpresses still leave the finished product with an appearance and texture unmatchable by modern technologies. Using machines built over 50 years ago, these Original Heidelberg letterpresses generate an extra special character with each impression that adds an authentic value and quality to each invitation. In short, Heidelberg letterpresses simply cannot be beat.

When thinking about your wedding, why settle for anything less than handcrafted and custom letterpress invitation sets?

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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