f r o m   i d e a   t o   p r i n t

Because of the tiny nature of Wendu Ink, all clients work directly with me from the initial design development to the final production of the product. I control every step of the process, assuring each piece is perfect; a part of the business I love. 

c u s t o m   d e s i g n

It's not often, in this readymade world, that you are afforded the opportunity to slow down and create something uniquely you. The custom design process is wonderfully collaborative by nature. It generally begins with a conversation that helps me better understand your ideas, personality, style and needs. From there, I develop some loose designs based on the discussed themes. Generally after a couple of rounds of proofs, we are able to narrow down options and refine your custom design.

l e t t e r p r e s s   p r i n t i n g 

Letterpress printing dates back to as early as the 15th century.  It was the primary commercial printing process for centuries until the introduction of offset printing in the 1950s. For years, dated letterpress equipment sat collecting dust and rust. Just over a decade ago, artists discovered and began breathing new life into the once disregarded machines. The craft was reborn (albiet with some modern conveniences), and today a thriving community of letterpress printers exists across the county. 

The beauty of letterpress doesn't come without time and sweat. Much of the additional cost is simply compensating for a more time intensive process than conventional flat printing. Each color is printed independently and each run through the press requires the meticulous and skilled job of registration, proper ink application and hand feeding each piece into the manually operated and treadle powered press. That said, the results are always well worth the efforts. 

As for my little shop, my presses (aka: Loretta and Lloyd) and paper cutter (aka: Theodore) all date to around the turn of the twentieth century. The handmade quality of letterpress printing lends itself to slight variations in color, registration and impression. This is all part of of what gives letterpress printing its charm and distinct feel in the sea of mass-produced printed goods.