Letterpress invitations for corporate events is certainly not a new trend, in fact we posted a while back about letterpress invitations we printed for First Kentucky Trust’s Open House (see post: corporate letterpress). Shortly after printing those invitations we got a call from Men’s Vogue to print these invitesfor a special event. Audemars Piguet, who sponsored the event, makes fine Swiss watches which was the inspiration for the design.

The watch design was printed in silver metallic ink and shows the intricate details of the gears which when letterpress printed provides a unique effect on the paper. Below are some closer pictures of the design which shows the metallic shimmer of the ink and the deep impression we were able to achieve using our thick cotton stock.

These invites are a great example of how letterpress printing can be used to create a unique invitation and start your event off on the right foot.

I thought everyone would enjoy this printing related comic strip by John Forgetta and L. A. Rose.

This comic strip from April 2nd, 2008 can be found here.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a posting for a Sigwalt Ideal #5 which is a tabletop press similar to a pilot. I love my pilot but, what I really like about the Sigwalt is that the platen has open sides so there isn’t a paper size restriction as on the pilot. This also makes it easy to add and remove packing without prying the bars open. The press is also in great condition, with all visible gold painted embellishments. There are several tabletop Sigwalts in the “Ideal” series and can get confusing to which one you might have so I have compiled a list that will help you. The Sigwalt company made presses from the 1900′s to around 1962.

Ideal No. 2, 3×5
Ideal No. 3, 4×6 (60lbs)
Ideal No. 4, 5×7.5 (90lbs)
Ideal No. 5, 6×9 (125lbs)

I wasn’t able to take a picture of my new press but as soon as I do, I will be sure to post it. In the meantime, here is a “stand in” picture from Oriscus.