Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Starshaped Press

@starshapedpress.bsky.social

1K followers 210 following 190 posts

Celebrating 25 years of metal & wood type letterpress work. Love to share the process, forms and printing adventures. Jen & Jo. Starshaped.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 1d

The collaboration we knew we needed!

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 2d

Hanging out with my 100 year old partner tonight. Banner by @vichcraft.bsky.social #letterpress

Back of 1923 printing press with chain stitched flag that says ‘this machine kills fascists’.

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 4d

Star made of stars for today’s palate cleanser. #letterpress

2 34

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 4d

Dulcelandia on Fullerton. It’s the one thing my kid wanted for their grad party. Might have to go in and ask (they weren’t on display). Also the candy selection is incredible.

1 2

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 7d

Right Lisa… one magical animal 🙄

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 7d

Our queen Mavis, dropping a line filled with the hope that makes me love Chicago. New print, two different color options, now in the shop. #letterpress www.starshaped.com/chicago

Close up of a print with shades of blue ink on white paper. Cityscape build from modular metal type ornaments. Shows a tiny plane pulling a banner that says ‘it’ll be better in Chicago -Mavis staples’

2 6 44

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 8d

A floral palate cleanser. My designs for Field Notes’ fall flowers edition, inspired by publishers bindings. Thanks, librarians!

Three Field Notes notebooks lined up to showcase floral designs.

1 3 42

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 10d

Made With Human Intelligence (and all 19th century type) 7x5” prints now available. #letterpress
www.starshaped.com/small-prints...

A 7x5 print sitting on wood type that says Made with Human Intelligence. Created with flourished ornaments and decorated 19th century type.

1 10 44

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 11d

Probably mid-century. They were very popular and had a long run!

1 2

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 11d

Signed 👊

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 11d

Thanks!

1 1

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 11d

For letterpress, you can pull the pieces that print and replace them with physical spacing that doesn’t. If you wanna dig in, this post might help!

www.starshaped.com/weekendprint...

Easy Color Seps — Starshaped Press

Complicated multi-color work doesn’t have to be beyond reach if you break it down to a little simple math (do I sound like a broken record?) Let’s look at my recent pigeon print which was six colors, ...

www.starshaped.com

1 1 2

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 11d

It’s four separate press runs. I set it all together then swap out non-printing colors with spacing for each run. That keeps the registration right.

1 5

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 11d

Bruce Rogers ornaments on display for this fall tree. #letterpress

Chipboard postcard with stylized tree in multiple colors and blocky shapes. Text says ‘falling for fall’.

2 4 30

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 12d

Some of the original sketches for my collaboration with @fieldnotesbrand.bsky.social. Major props to the librarians who share publishers bindings.

Handful of pencil sketches laid out flat.

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 14d

Putting away so much type from custom projects. #letterpress

Large type form showing wood and metal type.

3 36

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 15d

I built a cassette from metal type ornaments for the latest Print Club print and I’m pretty pleased with it. #letterpress

A gray print with blocky wood type text that says ‘the hits keep on coming’ next to a cassette tape built from metal type.

2 44

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 16d

Of course!

1 1

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 16d

Digging into these 150 year old beauties this week. #letterpress

A box of 19th century metal type ornaments.

3 8 69

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 18d

My shop is in OHC… if you’re visiting locations on the north side please drop in!

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 18d

We all need something to look forward to?

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 20d

New members joining this month and sticking around for a year will get the next Type High prize in September 2026.#letterpress

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 20d

The Type High Prize mails out to all Print Club members that’ve been in the Club for a whole year (starting in September) to celebrate Type High Day (9/18). These ornaments were designed by me and cast by @bowerbox.com. Super grateful to all the PC members that keep the studio going!

Type High Prize package sitting on top of box of envelope metal type ornaments.

Type High Prize package sitting on top of box of envelope metal type ornaments. Explains type high day (9/18).

Inside of Type High Prize package showing matching set of envelope ornaments.

1 1 11

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 21d

We’ll be a part of Open House Chicago again this October and the studio will be in full glory. This was last year’s print, made in collaboration with @chiarchitecture.bsky.social. Learn a bit about Chicago’s print history!

Hand holding a print with city images made from metal type ornaments. For open house Chicago 2024.

1 20

Starshaped Press @starshapedpress.bsky.social · 23d

I run a print shop and have never worn one 😉