Starshaped Press

This is why I follow you. Facts! Thanks for your work 🙌🏼

@currentlocpress.bsky.social and I do this but call it ‘mythical January’, the month we think we’ll magically do all the tasks.

Small red card with Obama quote ‘I’m from Chicago. We don’t break’ sitting on printing press.

Thanks to the 1100+ folks that came through for Open House Chicago. We printed, we shared, we talked about our great city. #letterpress

My kid says it’s Drake Warren, running for county commissioner.

Print leaning up against a press with an image of a cityscape that says the studs Terkel quote ‘I have come across ordinary people who have done extraordinary things’

Let’s tell them Studs Terkel is the leader of antifa. Come get a print today at Open House Chicago, 10-5.

Close up of a print with a representation of Chicago in a circular shape. A ‘tree’ says ‘Urbs in Horto’ on it.

Sneak peek of an updated version of ‘Urbs in Horto’ debuting at Open House Chicago this weekend. 6 colors with metal type, 1 linoleum cut. #letterpress

Re-set it! A little smarter this time around.

Large metal type form in a circular shape.

Said I’d never reprint this large, 10x10” form but here we are. Urbs in Horto coming to Open House Chicago this weekend. #letterpress @chiarchitecture.bsky.social

Printing press with split ink colors on the rollers. Metal type form in press bed waiting to be inked.

Fall colors on press. #letterpress

Hand holding up a postcard with an image of a type form that says ‘made with human intelligence’

The next Extra! Extra! postcard is mailing out next week. It’s a free series of postcards featuring type form images and links to printers, vendors, tools, etc. that we love. Sign up at our site. #letterpress

Angled shot of an open typecase showing various wood type stars and borders for printing.

Getting our stars aligned ahead of Open House Chicago next weekend. #letterpress

I don’t know but I’m certain one of the Brits could tell you!

Graham Moss/Incline Press did die on this hill (may he rest in power) so you’re not alone!

Long horizontal white print with images of the city and gardens with lyrics that say ‘I pray for vision I pray for vision I pray for weapons against the system’

Flashback to printing these to benefit the Southside Community Art Center (an initiative of the Chicago Printers Guild), featuring lyrics by Peter Cottontale & Chance the Rapper.

Hand holding up a print made for Open House Chicago 2024 with buildings made from metal type ornaments printed in red and blue.

The metal type form for the print.

Last year I collaborated with @chiarchitecture.bsky.social on these prints for Open House Chicago. Next weekend we’ll be open again for this incredible event, with even more community and historical projects to share. Hope to see you. #letterpress

The collaboration we knew we needed!

Back of 1923 printing press with chain stitched flag that says ‘this machine kills fascists’.

Hanging out with my 100 year old partner tonight. Banner by @vichcraft.bsky.social #letterpress

A star made from many metal type stars.

Star made of stars for today’s palate cleanser. #letterpress

Dulcelandia on Fullerton. It’s the one thing my kid wanted for their grad party. Might have to go in and ask (they weren’t on display). Also the candy selection is incredible.

Right Lisa… one magical animal 🙄

Close up of a print with shades of blue ink on white paper. Cityscape build from modular metal type ornaments. Shows a tiny plane pulling a banner that says ‘it’ll be better in Chicago -Mavis staples’

Our queen Mavis, dropping a line filled with the hope that makes me love Chicago. New print, two different color options, now in the shop. #letterpress www.starshaped.com/chicago

Three Field Notes notebooks lined up to showcase floral designs.

A floral palate cleanser. My designs for Field Notes’ fall flowers edition, inspired by publishers bindings. Thanks, librarians!

A 7x5 print sitting on wood type that says Made with Human Intelligence. Created with flourished ornaments and decorated 19th century type.

Made With Human Intelligence (and all 19th century type) 7x5” prints now available. #letterpress
www.starshaped.com/small-prints...

Probably mid-century. They were very popular and had a long run!

Signed 👊

Thanks!

Easy Color Seps — Starshaped Press Complicated multi-color work doesn’t have to be beyond reach if you break it down to a little simple math (do I sound like a broken record?) Let’s look at my recent pigeon print which was six colors, ...

For letterpress, you can pull the pieces that print and replace them with physical spacing that doesn’t. If you wanna dig in, this post might help!

www.starshaped.com/weekendprint...

It’s four separate press runs. I set it all together then swap out non-printing colors with spacing for each run. That keeps the registration right.

Chipboard postcard with stylized tree in multiple colors and blocky shapes. Text says ‘falling for fall’.

Metal type form for the postcard.

Bruce Rogers ornaments on display for this fall tree. #letterpress

Handful of pencil sketches laid out flat.

Some of the original sketches for my collaboration with @fieldnotesbrand.bsky.social. Major props to the librarians who share publishers bindings.