Welcome to Wildland Press, an independent letterpress print shop in Wolf Creek, just 20 minutes North of Grants Pass, Oregon. I specialize in historic letterpress printmaking for a variety of customers with a focus on artisan small product packaging.
My Philosophy
I believe that producing artwork by hand can change a world that is dealing with chronic disconnectedness. When you feel the quality of the paper and experience the quality that can only happen by hand, you can feel that I took the time to produce each piece one at a time. It brings us back to an era when people took the time to consider what they were printing.
My Story
I've been a production weaver for years, but damaged my shoulder early on in my experience. It would not heal while I used it every day to produce cloth so I had to stop.
When I decided to retire from weaving, I looked for another art form that would let me use my two superpowers - maintaining fussy machines from the era before electricity and creating art by hand with a bazillion tiny details to consider.
When you hire me to do your printing, you are unleashing a typography and color-obsessed maniac who will ensure that every piece of the puzzle is working in tandem with the others to create exactly the effect you are looking for.
MEET THE PRESS
(and other tools)
Letterpress printing requires a lot of specialized (and heavy!) tools and supplies. Here are the main players in this studio.
Chandler & Price 10x15 Old Style
"Beauty"
Weighing in at about 1800 pounds, this beautiful machine is the workhorse at the center of the entire operation.
Designed in 1884, this "Old Style" press is one of the prettiest that I've seen. Restored to museum condition, it's really a sight to behold.
Challenge 26" Guillotine
"The Beast"
This is the second-most important tool in the shop, weighing in at about 800 pounds.
This beautiful tool is capable of cutting stacks of paper 3" high with astonishing precision.
Chandler & Price 19" Guillotine
"Little Miss"
At less than 400 pounds, this is the petite tool of the top tier. Easier to manage than "The Beast", this cutter handles all of the small jobs.
Whelan XPress Etching Press
"Wheelie"
This is the most versatile tool in the shop, used for every type of printing from etching, linoleum and wood block to hand printing full-sized posters with antique wooden type.
Richeson Proofing Press
"Baby"
Every job needs to be "proofed", printing a few pieces for testing and approval without the commitment of setting up and inking the big press.
The Richeson baby press is perfect for this job, taking up almost no table space but giving good, even pressure for the proofs.
The Fonts
Letterpress printing would be nothing without metal type. The studio currently has over 60 fonts of metal type in a variety of styles, allowing me to take on many types of jobs from the jaunty and informal to the most conservative.
Can I do a print job for you?
If you're wondering how to start the process of getting custom letterpress work from my studio, just send me a message and let me know what you're thinking about. I'll get in touch quickly to start the ball rolling.