judyisokay

Paper & Edge Painting

Moontree Letterpress

Blush Publishing

Dingbat Press

While out visiting designers a couple weeks ago with Duke of Reich Paper, edge painting came up. Mainly, because each time Duke gave out his card, it was met with much enthusiasm.  His card is a super thick 236 lb. cover of 100% cotton, Savoy that has been letterpressed, foil stamped and edge painted in a studious, slate blue. These thicker papers are a must if you want to edge paint and really see the results. You'll want to specify and use at least a 120 cover but even thicker is better. We've got lots of choices for you.

I'm a big fan of edge painting. It gives a wonderful pop of interest and color. Edge painting is a process that can be done on just about anything -  business cards, invitations and book edges. I asked Duke lots of questions about the process since his luxe paper line is commonly used for this technique. It seems that edge painting is somewhat shrouded in mystery. Each letterpress printer has a different technique for applying edge paint. Some roll, some spray, some use acrylic or dye and rub it on. Printers don't commonly share exactly how they do it. Imperative to the process is a clean, sharp guillotine cut to a stack of cards and snug clamping of the stack to be painted. Check out this informative post I found on "Oh So Beautiful Paper" to see one of these processes of edge painting.

And not only can you edge paint but you can also guild the edges with silver or gold metallic leaf for a bit of bling. The guilding is much more time consuming but the results speak for themselves. See a video of that process here with a master guilder at Crane's.

 

Lettersketch & Reich Paper: Great Combo.

Will you just look at this blind emboss? It's large and deeply letterpressed. Simply gorgeous.

I had the pleasure of spending a day last week with Duke Reich, president of Reich Paper. We visited several Austin design studios. Duke shared so many fantastic one-of-a-kind samples on his papers. His briefcase was like a car full of clowns - the beautiful samples just kept coming out - letterpress, foil stamping, blind embossing. One of paper specimens in particular that he shared was a complete hit. Everyone went ballistic over this Lettersketch sketchpad.  It said "touch me". It will definitely be my next paper purchase - I plan on getting the full set of three sketchpads.  The cover is printed on Savoy, Reich's 100% cotton stock and the pad has been lovingly stitched with red thread. The sets come in a cotton pouch along with a red carpenter pencil. Love.

Remember, Olmsted-Kirk Paper Co. stocks Savoy sheets in 118 and the double thick 236 Cover in both the Bright White and Natural White. Buy it by the sheet or carton. We've got envelopes, too. Here is the line-up of Duke's gorgeous high end paper stocks.

• CT - vellum translucents
• SHINE - shimmering metallics
• ODEON - lush, felt textures
• SAVOY - pure, luxurious cotton
• DIGITAL - certified digital stocks for the disserning design eye and feel

Peek @ARTCRANK Austin coming Friday!

As promised, here are a few sneak peeks at the awesomeness that will be ARTCRANK in Austin, Texas. So many of these works have been printed on Olmsted-Kirk Papers. Makes my heart go pittypat. Take a look, the artist and paper particulars are included. There will be thirty artists, here are just four of them and a peek at part of their posters. See you there!

David Kampa on Neenah Blotter Paper, 17 pt.

 

Oen Hammonds on French, Durotone, Butcher White, 80 Cover

 

Oscar Morris on Neenah, Classic Crest, Pewter, 80 Cover

 

Ben Harman on Neenah, Blotter Paper, 17 pt.

Be sure to come out, bring your dinero, and have fun on this Friday, February 24th at Pine Street Station.

GoWalla's Identity is Perfection

Check out the identity/letterhead system for GoWalla! Extreme! It was created by Sicola Martin and it is a gorgeous specimen of paper and printing. French MODTONE, Grey, 80 Text was combined with a Fasson Crack 'n Peel label printed in a Steel Grey pms color. The label was then hit with two foil stamps of white and orange gloss. The registration on this job is amazing. This universal label was then wrapped around the edge of each component of the system. A shout out to Oen for letting O-K be a part of this fantastic project.

AIGA Austin Annual Report | Paper & Design Goodness

 

I got my copy of the AIGA AUSTIN'S Annual Report last night at the Membership Party. It was designed by Thom Gehring & Jared Tanner of local creative company  - GEHRING CO.   It seems these two are quite handy with a needle also. Each piece has been lovingly, hand-stitched in butterscotch-yellow, waxed linen thread. Olmsted-Kirk was extremely delighted to donate the paper for this project with Randy McCranie from FRENCH PAPER. The cover is POPTONE, Chocolate Fudge, 100 Cover printed in metallic silver and embossed. The inside pages are SMART WHITE, 100 Text. Put simply, it is a gorgeous specimen of design and paper. It goes in my "keeper" file. Thank you Thom and Jared at Gehring Co.!

 

Make a Difference | Grab this Poster

Check out this silkscreen poster to aid the wildlife affected by the Gulf Oil spill. On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded, causing a catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. With an estimated 186 million gallons of oil leaked into this precious habitat, countless wildlife now need our help. This 18" x 24" screen printed poster is being sold to raise money to help those animals in need. All proceeds will go to the Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund that was put together by the National Wildlife Federation. You can get your copy from my fine designer friend  JOSHUAKRAMER.COM  This silkscreened poster was printed on Olmsted-Kirk's Neenah paper -  CONSERVATION - made with 100% Post Consumer Waste, FSC certified and process chlorine. Josh will ship to anywhere in the United States using standard shipping rates.  Grab one for a good cause and get a great image up on your walls..
 

Binding Goodness

I am always looking for different types of bindery. Stumbled onto this book with rollabind like discs for binding. Found it while looking for printed samples of FRENCH PAPER, CONSTRUCTION. This gorgeous project is printed on Safety Orange, 100 Cover. Construction comes in nine colors and three whites. They're 100% recycled and acid free. I saw this from MYNDOLOGY and ordered it up immediately along with some silver metal discs. I was so happy to see it arrive in the mail yesterday. The arrows you see are actually "laser cut".  And the piece was designed by Duffy and Partners. Can you say awesome??? Can't wait to buy the punch.

Bell & Bird

Looky, looky! Just finished up this gorgeous project with Wendy at LewisCarnegie . It is letterpress on Neenah, Eames, on Eames Natural, velllum finish. The old fashion - tannish, natural color of the paper just set this business card off for a true, vintage look for Bell & Bird, a custom and antique jeweler. The toothy vellum finish lets the printing bite into the paper. Gorgeous!

Old School | Hatch Show Prints

Going through my one-of-a-kind paper library and came upon this gem from Hatch Show Prints. Layers of letterpress printed on a C1S Coated Board - most likely Tango or Carolina. So excited about Hatch Show Prints being in town for a LECTURE and the opening of the Letterpress Show at the Austin Museum of Art. I will be there showing off SAVOY: a new letterpress stock. Welcome back to Austin, Jim Sherraden. The lecture is tomorrow, Saturday, 2-4, February 13th at 501 Studios. See ya there!