DIY Letterpress

Homemade press

Having always had an interest in lettering and typography, but being unable to afford a proper press, I made a homemade version, using a hydraulic bottle jack for the pressure. It was cheap and fairly simple to make, and works really well.

First proofs

I began testing the press with some old type, figuring out how the press worked and getting the hang of the process.

Tympan and Frisket

To help with printing in colour, I added a tympan and frisket to the press, which allows you to position the paper accurately for the multiple runs needed for several colours.

Colour Printing

This worked really well, allowing me to print this old chromatic type in several colours.

Cutting my own type

The next step was to rig up a jig, so that can cut my own type, using a Dremel and a homemade pantograph, which works reasonably well - if a little shaky!

Homemade type

Some sample type that I made, using a fretsaw rather than the Dremel and pantograph setup..

Homemade chromatic type

Using the Dremel and pantograph, I was able to make homemade chromatic type

Playing with the press

With the whole set up, I can now begin to play with the press and the type. I have also made a mini version of the press, which I have used for workshops in college with student groups.