The Chinese Adobo: Papers, Ink, Hand Crafted Goodies and a One-Ton Printing Machine

Me and some of my colleagues saw this post on Facebook about this letterpress workshop by a print shop called The Gentlemen's Press. I was really curious about it, and for sometime now, I really wanted to try letterpress printing, so I guess this was the chance to do it. Though, it was a bit pricey, we still decided to go for it.

It was a bit tricky to find their shop, but eventually we found it, and we we're greeted by this cool little sign.

Their shop was really awesome! Tons of vintage stuff and of course printed posters and merchandises were all over.

After we toured the shop, we proceeded with the workshop/course proper (I made it sound so formal, even though it wasn't at all). They showed us a short film on letterpress printing, after that...it was time to get our hands dirty.

Eugene trying to fit in all the types and making sure the it won't fall when he transfers the entire thing on the plate.

Choong Ching a got a bit too ambitious with combining so many fonts together, in the end he was able to pull it off.

The posters on the background were block printed (dunno if I used the term right). We saw the block which had the illustration carved on it.

Wood types that we used.

And that's the one ton printing machine...

Some random photos I took while roaming around the shop.

Eugene's masterpiece....the 'E' and the 'S' are in reverse.

Mine and Choong Ching's attemps.

The workshop was from 11-3. We only printed a couple of stuff, not that we were shy or what not, but it was hard work to set the types and making sure everything was aligned, or no piece will fall off when it's being transferred to the plate etc. It was pretty damn tiring too. But it was all good.

By the way these are the 2 out of 3 "gentlemen" of The Gentlemen's Press. The intern, Widad (hope I spelled it right) and the shop co-owner Shian.

Anywho, these are some of my take aways from that workshop...

The block carving was the thing that I enjoyed the most. Had a difficult time doing this, especially when I was trying to etch the lines straight, and my hand became a bit sore after sometime. But in the end, it was all worth it. I think I'm going to practice some more block carving...