Since then, we regularly get questions about how we do this. That’s where The Hilversum Method comes in. We’re going to explain the technical how, ponder the philosophical why and share the joy that is embedded in this way of designing, building and printing.
Letterpress with wood type is the main ingredient for the second session of my Print & Play workshop. Using the relatively large letters as shapes. Monoprints from the first session provide interesting starting points for adding more layers.
Currently working on this poster. Have to print this in two runs because not enough letters ‘c’ and ,‘t’ to spell these four words all in one go.
That means the technical challenge here is to build a forme that allows for moving the type around within it, exactly so that the words end up in the right place.
These two rectangular blocks can be swapped.
After some measurements before printing and corrections of those measurements after printing tests, I got the text into a nice position on the paper.
There’s bit more kerning to do before starting production. Not much I can do about that LA combination, but IN, NNE and NE need a bit more air between them I think. And replace that grainy O.
There’s a TA combination in there as well which normally creates more than enough white space inbetween them. I was already using a letter T which had a part sawed off when I thought ‘wait a minute, that’s probably because of…’ and indeed, there was an A that had a notch sawed off exactly so that the TA combination could be made more compact:
This Sunday is the last day of my exhibition elementair in ontwerpfabriekje in Hilversum. I’ll be there from 2pm to 5pm. If you’ve been thinking to go and have a look then this would be the moment. You’re very welcome!
The 2025 International Original Print Exhibition, an open submission exhibition established by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers which celebrates the best in all types of contemporary printmaking.
My Print & Play participants are very talented. These are a few of the results from the first of three sessions. Using monoprint techniques for experiments and quick iterations.
The collection of wood type letters at Grafisch Atelier Hilversum has grown significantly over the last couple of years. From really big ass type to medium sized workhorsel sans serifs and elegant Jugendstil specimens.
But, we don’t know yet what the condition is of each set. Complete? Damaged? Does it need cleaning?
On Thursday evenings I’ll be working on this part of the letter collection. Sorting type, setting and printing proofs, arrange the workspace and the necessary materials.
Does that sound like something you’d like to help with? The objective is to steadily make productive progress without rushing things. There’s a lot of material to review. We’ll take it step by step.
Interested? I’ll be in the printmaking studio, Noorderweg 96b, Hilversum, on Thursdays between 7.30 and 10pm. I’m looking for two people who want to volunteer their time to help with this. Of course you can’t know that beforehand, so contact me and we’ll make an appointment for a first Thursday visit.
