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Starshaped Press

@starshapedpress.bsky.social

Celebrating 25 years of metal & wood type letterpress work. Love to share the process, forms and printing adventures. Jen & Jo. Starshaped.com

1,020 Followers  |  215 Following  |  200 Posts  |  Joined: 21.01.2025  |  2.4999

Latest posts by starshapedpress.bsky.social on Bluesky

This is why I follow you. Facts! Thanks for your work πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

25.10.2025 18:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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

22.10.2025 18:44 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Small red card with Obama quote β€˜I’m from Chicago. We don’t break’ sitting on printing press.

Small red card with Obama quote β€˜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

21.10.2025 14:01 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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

20.10.2025 21:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Print leaning up against a press with an image of a cityscape that says the studs Terkel quote β€˜I have come across ordinary people who have done extraordinary things’

Print leaning up against a press with an image of a cityscape that says the studs Terkel quote β€˜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.

19.10.2025 13:43 β€” πŸ‘ 48    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
Close up of a print with a representation of Chicago in a circular shape. A β€˜tree’ says β€˜Urbs in Horto’ on it.

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

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

17.10.2025 21:43 β€” πŸ‘ 46    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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

15.10.2025 14:45 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Large metal type form in a circular shape.

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

15.10.2025 13:54 β€” πŸ‘ 28    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1
Printing press with split ink colors on the rollers. Metal type form in press bed waiting to be inked.

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

Fall colors on press. #letterpress

13.10.2025 16:06 β€” πŸ‘ 28    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Hand holding up a postcard with an image of a type form that says β€˜made with human intelligence’

Hand holding up a postcard with an image of a type form that says β€˜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

12.10.2025 15:17 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Angled shot of an open typecase showing various wood type stars and borders for printing.

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

11.10.2025 16:35 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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

11.10.2025 14:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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

11.10.2025 13:49 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Long horizontal white print with images of the city and gardens with lyrics that say β€˜I pray for vision I pray for vision I pray for weapons against the system’

Long horizontal white print with images of the city and gardens with lyrics that say β€˜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.

10.10.2025 21:32 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Hand holding up a print made for Open House Chicago 2024 with buildings made from metal type ornaments printed in red and blue.

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.

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

09.10.2025 13:38 β€” πŸ‘ 28    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The collaboration we knew we needed!

07.10.2025 16:49 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Back of 1923 printing press with chain stitched flag that says β€˜this machine kills fascists’.

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

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

07.10.2025 01:25 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A star made from many metal type stars.

A star made from many metal type stars.

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

04.10.2025 19:28 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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.

04.10.2025 19:24 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Right Lisa… one magical animal πŸ™„

01.10.2025 19:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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 β€˜it’ll be better in Chicago -Mavis staples’

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 β€˜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

01.10.2025 14:01 β€” πŸ‘ 46    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Three Field Notes notebooks lined up to showcase floral designs.

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!

30.09.2025 21:35 β€” πŸ‘ 44    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
A 7x5 print sitting on wood type that says Made with Human Intelligence. Created with flourished ornaments and decorated 19th century type.

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...

28.09.2025 14:26 β€” πŸ‘ 45    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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

27.09.2025 18:32 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Signed πŸ‘Š

27.09.2025 17:52 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks!

27.09.2025 16:57 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Easy Color Seps β€” 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...

27.09.2025 16:56 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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.

27.09.2025 16:42 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Chipboard postcard with stylized tree in multiple colors and blocky shapes. Text says β€˜falling for fall’.

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

Metal type form for the postcard.

Metal type form for the postcard.

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

27.09.2025 15:38 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 2
Handful of pencil sketches laid out flat.

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.

26.09.2025 14:11 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

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