August 26, 2009

• L Letterpress by Lifestyle Crafts

  Letterpress for the home crafter? Could it be?

  Since planning my wedding, I’ve become a HUGE fan of letterpress stationery. Lettpress note cards, greeting cards, and business cards–I love them all! I reallly want to purchase an antique letterpress machine, but Mr. Eggplant axes the idea because my craft room is already packed to the brim with stamps, die cut machines, and paper. Plus, letterpress machines and replacement parts are often hard to find and expensive, and the learning curve can be steep.

  But, this week I just got a newsletter in my inbox that this fall, Lifestyle Crafts (a division of QuicKutz Inc.) will be releasing the L Letterpress, a letterpress machine for the home crafter. And the starter kit is only $149! What?! I know nothing can replace true letterpress, but this might be a fun alternative for those of us who don’t have the space or money for a real machine (kind of like an easy bake oven versus a Viking convection, yo). I’m crossing my fingers that the L Letterpress machine will allow crafters to create and use printing plates with their own designs too.

  Here is a picture tutorial from the Lifestyle Crafts website:

   
  1. Open the L Letterpress and place an adhesive-backed printing plate on the clear lid.

   
  2. Ink the printing plate evenly with the brayer tool.

   
  3. Place paper in desired location on base of letterpress tool. Use registration grid and Paper Placement Guides for greater accuracy and alignment.

   
  4. Close lid and roll L Letterpress through Epic tool. For a deeper impression, add additional packing sheets. 

  So, what do you think? Great invention? Or complete miss?

  • 2:35 pm
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