Comments on: L Letterpress Printing Techniques from Boxcar Press

By: Valerie Bolea

Valerie Bolea — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:17:35 +0000

I also have not bought a L letterpress- nor do I intend to, but I am going to use a clay slab roller and make my own letterpress tool and all this info was very helpful- and made it just that much more encouraging to buy your plates! Thanks so much for being dedicated to your artform

By: Raelynn

Raelynn — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:36:26 +0000

Thank you for this article! I was so happy at the prospect of achieving a letterpress finish for my craft but was devastated when I read on that it would not be what i hoped it to be, with my Sizziz Big Shot. This article has renewed my faith, and I am indeed willing to put in more patience and effort to produce an acceptable standard of product. However, as I am based overseas (international shipping is a killer!) and I am an amatuer crafter, I am keen to know whether it is possible to use the Epic that you have in the pictures, or my Big Shot, together with hand carved wood or linoleum type to do letterpress? Will it wreck the machine altogether?

By: Allison Howell

Allison Howell — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:43:13 +0000

Thanks for this review. I really appreciate it. I’ve been in the invitation design industry for 6 years but have always outsourced my printing. When I heard about the L Letterpress, I thought it might be fun to try and I’m glad to have a resource to make it actually work. Thanks for these techniques and all you do for the industry.

By: Lorraine Johns

Lorraine Johns — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:22:41 +0000

I came across your write up on the Letterpress L and thank you for the great tips you took the time to provide people who have an interest in Letterpressing. I am in the process of waiting for mine to be developed but it is just for my own limited use. However, I do think I’ll be taking you up on the Custom Plates service. Thanks again for the excellent write up.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:50:20 +0000

Thank you for this great article…it convinced me to take the plunge and order my own boxcar press custom plate. I was hesitant but it came out great. I couldn’t believe how even the finest details came right through in my test prints. So far I’ve only tested on water color paper with some ink pad ink, but I plan to get a rubber brayer and go to town. For others who are looking for paper, I went to the PaperSource and they recommended getting “Luxe” paper, it feels very thick and close to the water color paper I was testing with.

I’m glad I re-read the article today so I knew to store my plates in the bag and out of sunlight, I had left them sitting out over night, hopefully that didn’t hurt them!

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:56:53 +0000

What do I use to clean the soft rubber brayer? Just soap and water? What do I use to clean your plates to reuse them?

By: Toni

Toni — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:46:45 +0000

Can you tell me what paper produces the best results? I don’t know if it’s necessary to purchase the card stock sold along with the machine, or if I can find other options elsewhere. Thanks!

By: Rachel D

Rachel D — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:34:14 +0000

Thank you for your valuable information! I recently purchased the L Letterpress and had a plate crack in half (not just the edges) my first go around. The company was prompt and polite about sending a replacement. Thanks specifically for your tips on inking and homemade guage pins. Now if I can just figure out how to prep a file for you, I’ll be a customer of your custom plates!

By: miranda

miranda — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:25:14 +0000

Has anybody experimented with different types of inks and discovered which one delivers the crispest imprint?

By: Sonia Teixeira

Sonia Teixeira — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:01:43 +0000

Hi! I’m very excited about this. But I’m wondering if anyone can tell me how big the bed of this machine is! It kinda is important!…

Thanks Boxcar, I will surely get back to you guys for my custom printing plates if and when I buy one of these. And one day… I’ll get a real one!