At Nomad we print by letterpress from metal type, the process invented by Johann Gutenberg in Germany in 1450. We are one of the very few printers anywhere to cast our own type, a technology that has all but disappeared with the advent of computer setting. Like many others, we believe that Gutenberg’s technology will never be equalled for the purity of its typefaces, its crispness of impression, and for that elusive third dimension entirely lacking from computer-derived printing. The extreme disciplines of letterpress printing are nicely counterbalanced by the enormous creative possibilities that it offers to those who choose to use it.
Nomad has a wide range of letterpress machines that can undertake anything from a handful of copies of a print or poster (we also have a wide range of wood type traditionally used in poster work), to multiple copies of any type of jobbing or book work. For book work, we have one of the widest ranges of Monotype faces anywhere.
We are used to working with publishers, designers, and individuals, whose requirements can vary from a book to a visiting card.
Nomad Letterpress
Nomad letterpress is run by Pat Randle from the same building as the Whittington Press which is situated in the Cotswolds near Cheltenham and specialize in design and print using only letterpress. We base our printing mainly around two types of machine, the flat-bed proofing press and the platen press. We have three flat bed presses, a small Farley (18" x 28"), a medium sized Swiss Fag (20.5" x 29") and an automatic Weston. The Weston is used mainly for our larger poster work as it has a bed size of (26" x 30.5"). We also print from an auto-feed 1936 Heidelberg (13" x 18") and are currently in the process of renovating a new Fag (16" x 22"). Neil Winter is in charge of our on site monotype casting . Monotype the process of making type and means that we can set large amounts of text for the production of books which can then be melted down and put back through the casters for the next job. We have an extensive range of typefaces and wherever possible we will use type for text work.
Letterpress:
Letterpress is the process of printing directly from wood or metal type on to paper which originated in Germany during the C16th. Advances in technology during this century have meant that there are currently very few letterpress printers in the UK who are able to print from as well as make their own type. Letterpress's attraction is in making a print look and feel genuine. We have control of the whole print process, from the cutting of the paper, the hand-setting of the type & the inking through the printing and stitching so that the end result is therefore a hand-crafted and unique item which has a tactile quality which cannot be replicated by digital machinery.
We work with individuals, designers, artists & publishers to come up with solutions for all varieties of print runs, from 1 to 10,000. Though we always prefer to work with the wood and metal type that we have, we understand that this is not always possible and so we print from zinc plates where necessary and now have access to a laser cutting machine, making any reqirement possible.
Business Stationery
We can provide a full range of printing for businesses, from letterheads to clothing labels, so for estimates and enquiries just drop us an e-mail and we will get straight back to you.
Order of Service
Order of Service sheets all set and printed using metal type. We can provide for 4 and 8 page layouts and all are hand stitched according to your specifications.
Wedding Stationery
From save the date cards through to the invite, reply cards and envelopes and extras such as the order of service, menus and thank you cards we can help you with the initial design stages through to completion. We print using wood and metal type and can also print from zinc plates which means all design styles are possible.
Posters & Cards
See here a selection of posters printed at the Press. Some have been printed for our own pleasure and are for sale in limited editions and others have been commissioned. We are able to edition posters, prints and engravings for artists so drop us a line if you have any ideas that you would like to discuss.
