Happy Valentine’s Day
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
On Saturday night we hosted our annual Valentine printing party. Igloo was full of sweet love as we printed for grandparents, lovers and friends. We made cards for pets and from pets.
It was awesome. This is a community full of creative, gracious and FUN people. We are thrilled to be a part of it.
Remember to share a little love every day. It is the bits of sweetness and kindness that keep us connected.
We would love to host a printing or bookbinding party for you at Igloo. Give us an idea of what you would like to make and we can price things out for you.
xo
Allison
Getting The Job Done – Quality Control
Hello! I’m Masha, and I’m the new intern at Igloo Letterpress. I am a senior in High School at the Linworth Alternative Program. For the second semester of our senior year, we all go on two 8-week long internships throughout the world. I am not-so-secretly in love with printing, so I was instantly drawn here! Everyone is very nice, and every day brings an exciting new challenge.
I’ve learned a lot so far since my first day nearly two weeks ago, and I thought that it would be interesting to share some of the things we do to get an order ready to go.
Quality control is just what it sounds – we go through all of the printed pieces and make sure that they live up to our standards. Some factors include lining up the crop marks, consistent color, and crisp lines. I’m going to show some examples of a printing of business cards that we recently did for Fine Citizens, a web design company. Their cards had a lot of elements that we wanted to get just right, so there were a few cards thrown out during the quality control stage.
Let’s first take a look at the perfect Fine Citizens card, one that passed every test we could throw at it:
Just look at that. There’s still little bit of texture in the orange fill, and everything is lined up perfectly. Ah.
The edges on the back are nice and crisp, what a joy to look at!
Here are some examples of ones that didn’t make it and the reasons why:
This card is the most obvious example in this post. Each color is applied one at a time on press, and this card is from the test sheet that is used to line up the crop marks for the second color. It was used to get the darker second color aligned with the rest of the image, and so the shadows and Fumi’s last name are completely off.
Here the shadow for “Fine Citizens” is not as obvious as in the last example, but still off enough that we considered the card a dud.
The “fine” in “finecitizens.com” is not fine at all. It’s all filled-in and not crisp in the slightest.
We were even more scrupulous about finding those kinds of little mistakes. We even rejected these:
Each project requires ink to be added in different amounts to maintain the color consistency. It can be a little difficult to get the perfect color every time. Here I’ve juxtaposed 3 different cards so you can see what I mean:
The shade in the middle is the one we were going for. Many cards were taken out because they were either too light or too dark.
Isn’t it interesting to see the little messups that letterpress can make? I find it fascinating and somewhat charming. While here at Igloo we might be a bit picky with what we give out as the final product, it is very understandable why we do it. Igloo Letterpress has standards to uphold, and we can’t just sell products that printed willy nilly! And especially with a brand like Fine Citizens, which is so dependent on its signature color, there’s only so much deviation that we can do with the orange background.
So were you surprised with how different the prints in letterpress come out? I have to admit, I was a little at first, but it makes more sense now that I know that I know the production process. In fact, in the next couple of weeks I’ll be sharing different parts of the process with you, so stay tuned! And if you ever want to come by and say hello, I would love to gush and chat with you. I am here every day when Igloo is open, and I would love if you could come and visit.
Igloo Summer Treasure Sale: 7/16 9am-4pm
Taking our cue from Worthington’s Treasure Sale on the Green this weekend from 9-4 in Old Worthington, we are having our own Summer Treasure Sale at Igloo, and including our friends from Wholly Craft, Baby Gee’s, Felted Woolies, K&L Design, and MANY MORE!
So, how did this come about? Well, we have been organizing like crazy around here! After receiving some BEAUTIFUL new furniture, we were able to streamline our studio, letting us expand our workshop/class area and organize our new wholesale lines after our great trip to the National Stationery Show in May.
This has unearthed some amazing treasures, don’t you know? We have boxes of cards, books, kits, and furniture, all waiting to go to good homes and leave room for the ideas that are bursting out of our heads!
A logical conclusion surfaced: hold a clearance sale, and invite our friends! The idea for this event is to help crafters, collectors, letterpress/printing enthusiasts, artists, and others clear out their crafting/art studios of extra products, supplies, machinery, tools, etc… to leave room for creating more art and crafts!
Here are just a few of the beautiful items we will have our our sale table, and we’re finding new things every day!
Stop down on Saturday, take a look at the Worthington Treasures on the Green event and stop by our Summer Treasure Sale – you never know what you’re going to find!
A little family history and a trip to San Diego’s Bay Park Press
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
As many of you know, Igloo Letterpress was named by my husband’s maternal grandmother. Grandma Beardwood was a lifelong Californian with a dry sense of humor. Young newlyweds buying a house in Minnesota for a printing press made no sense to her. She took to calling our house our igloo and the name has stuck with us through 15 years and a move to Ohio.
When our daughter was born in 2004 we took a trip to meet the California relatives. Grandma took a trip with us to the beach as we dunked our three-month old Ava’s toes in the water. Although Grandma Beardwood has passed away, we decided that we would continue this tradition. We took a long President’s Day weekend to introduce Adam to our California friends and family. It is hard to believe that this was Adam’s first trip to California and he is already 2.5 years old. We had a great visit.
Of course, no vacation is complete without visiting another printer’s workshop. On previous visits I visited Elum and San Diego Book Artist Kathy Miller. This trip featured a visit to Bay Park Press with my California family, Anne and Amelia Chapman. If you are in the area, I encourage you to register for a workshop. I am encouraged to see an artist’s printshop running for 11 years! Thanks to Sibyl and Jim for showing us your beautiful books and paper quilts.
Print Your Own Letterpress Valentines!
We are super excited to share a little love and open our letterpress shop to you! A big thank you to Country Living for featuring our shop in this month’s issue. We hope you will be able to join us to create a special valentine for your friends and family!
When: Saturday, February 5 and 12; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Igloo Letterpress, 39 West New England Ave, Worthington, OH 43085 (614-787-5528)
How: We have a collection of images and different fonts that you will use to design a valentine. We will have three presses set with different colors of red and pink ink. You will select a color, an image and tell us what you would like the card to say (up to 6 words). We will typeset your valentine and you will get to use our press!
Don’t forget your camera to catch that happy smile as you see the finished product!
Who: This activity is appropriate for adults as well as kids 4+ who attend with an adult. (A note to parents: this is an active print shop with 19th century printing equipment and paper cutters. Don’t forget to have that valuable “see with your eyes” chat in the car! We will have rubber stamps and coloring projects for younger siblings.)
Cost: First Card is $6, multiple copies are $2 each (cash, check, Visa or MC accepted)
If you would like to make more than 10 cards, or would like to design a custom card, please email me at allison@iglooletterpress.com for special pricing.
Stop in to our neighboring shops and restaurants while you are visiting Igloo. There are great ideas for your Valentine at our boutique shops. Create your own candle at Candle Lab, pick up a bottle of wine at House Wine, a gift certificate to the Worthington Inn, maybe even cupcakes and ice cream!
We can’t wait to see what you create!
House Wine tomorrow night!
We are super excited to visit our friends at House Wine this Thursday, January 12 for a wine tasting. For $15 you can join in on the tasting of cool print related wines. I won’t spill the beans here to tell you my favorite!
Worthington, OH, 43085
6-9 p.m.
$15
You will be able to shop a sampling of Igloo cards and books as well as view invitation samples for those of you planning weddings and Spring events. I will also have a giveaway of Igloo goodies.
If you have not visited House Wine before, join me tomorrow night. The staff are so helpful and knowledgeable. It is a great place for both aficionados and beginners! I feel pretty lucky to have such an amazing selection to browse on my walk home from work.
As featured in . . .
Happy New Year! 2011 is off to an auspicious start for Igloo Letterpress.
Hot off the press! Igloo is featured in three magazines this month! First we received a notice in Ohio Magazine‘s Best of the Best Hometowns article. Country Living included Igloo in a notice of letterpress shops where you can make your own valentines (info in blog post to follow). What an honor to be in such good company and we are pleased to see Sharon McMullen’s valentine selected as the photo for the Country Living piece. You can buy one for your valentine in our Etsy shop. (www.igloopress.etsy.com)
Finally, we did an article for Stationery Trends magazine discussing the evolution of our bookbinding kits. This trade publication is mailed to retailers. We hope that it inspires more bookbinding projects for adults and kids!
-
- designed by Sharon McMullen as featured in Country Living
-
- Exposed Spine Bookbinding Kit (one of three designs)
I am a little behind on our blog posts, so you will be hearing from Igloo several times over the next few days. I hope we get a chance to catch up in person as well!
Custom Stationery for the Holidays
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
This is shaping up to be another busy week at Igloo Letterpress! Thursday evening we will be participating in Old Worthington’s Illuminating Shopping event from 6-9. Stop in to pick up your holiday cards and gifts. We will be taking orders for custom stationery for yourself and the lucky folks on your list.
Here is a little more info on this special event: http://www.owba.net/illuminating_shopping.html
We are then taking our custom letterpress studio on a road trip to the Ohio State Fairgrounds this weekend for WinterFair. You will find Igloo listed under my name, ALLISON CHAPMAN in the directory.
WinterFair runs Friday and Saturday 10-8 and Sunday noon-5. We will be printing custom stationery as you shop! A set of 10 cards = $18, 20 cards = $25.
For more info about this great craft fair please visit: http://www.ohiocraft.org/fairs_wf.html
And of course, we will have our fantastic selection of holiday and everyday cards. If you stop by the booth, I can give you a sneak peek of the Valentine that will be featured in a major print publication this February.
From our Igloo to yours, may your holidays be merry and bright!
-Allison
Santa visits Worthington
It is looking like a beautiful day in Worthington today. The downtown shops are decorated with garland and the big tree at 161 and High St. has been decorated with ornaments.
Be sure to stop by!
Here are details about today’s events.
Noon to 5:00
Igloo Letterpress and our downtown shop neighbors will be open to welcome you and your family today.
A “Cinderella” carriage will be giving rides.
Santa will pose for photos at the Worthington Inn on the beautiful sleigh.
You may print your own card at Igloo ($6 each design, $2 per extra copy)
5:30
Join Santa for the tree lighting ceremony to sing your favorite carols.
This was such a special day last year. My daughter talked about it the whole year! I hope that you can stop by with your friends and family.
Igloo Letterpress Bazaar – This Saturday!!
Celebrate Igloo’s anniversary this Saturday from 9:30 – 4:30. 
The store is stocked and ready for your shopping pleasure. Get a free card with every $20 Igloo purchase! We have also put together some fantastic $5 and $10 mystery bags.
The Igloo lot will be filled with great local vendors: Alison Rose Tees, Anne Holman Jewelry Design, Bethany Lesko, Flamestitch, Just A Jar Design Press, Kenyon Review, Little Alouette, Periodisa, Poshta Design, Made by AmyD, SKBG Photography, Suzy Ultman, and Wild Goose Creative. Glad Annie’s Old World Baklava, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Lucky Ladle, and Pattycake Bakery will sell refreshments.
Free letterpress and bookbinding demonstrations will take place throughout the day.
Get on press by printing your own pennant using Igloo’s collection of antique wood type. A great activity for kids and adults alike!
Each layout is $3.50 with additional copies $1. Each pennant perches atop an Igloo pencil.
(Ava did not hesitate when selecting her favorite!)
In addition to the Igloo Bazaar, Old Worthington will be hosting Market Day with over 200 vendors lining High St. You can park at the the High School on 161 and ride the shuttle right over. So much crafty goodness!
See you this weekend!
p.s. I will be running free shipping through Halloween for Igloo fans who can’t visit the shop in person. xoxo
