You can't take on a project as big as this one is for me, without the odd mistake, error or utter fail appearing.
Last week saw a flurry of them really, and you just have to stay calm, breathe deeply, attempt to problem solve and hope that it all works out in the end.
The first one happened as Barry and I were printing the third letterpress print for the series.
Despite all my best efforts to keep the furniture in chase in position; it must have moved a bit. I think it happened in the proofing as I had to change a few pieces of type over, unlock it and then re-tighten and I inadvertently unlocked one side that I had avoided unlocking before. In the re-tightening, there were only millimetres in it; but that's all you need.
Some of the guilty type that started it all. Nobody's fault really - the type was damaged and it only becomes clear once you proof.
That one resolved, I thought I would just go print a page for the book. On the Adana tabletop press which is my best mate, and has never failed me nor not played nicely with me. Until it didn't.
How's this for a bunch of failed prints? On and on and on it went.
We got up early the next morning and Barry came over to help see if we could sort it out together. A bit of engineering and we think we've got it - the good news is the book page printed well.
And then the final of the letterpress prints. This one shows us moving the paper up and down to try to get it to fit around the etching. Each and every one of these prints caused us grief.
Bad huh?
We finally worked out why it was so hard. The line above the etching had a descender (the y). The line below the etching was full of ascenders (the k, the i, the ls). With the top descending and the bottom ascending - we were squished in the middle! This hadn't happened on any of the other etchings, and in future I will choose my words more wisely.
Onwards!
Last week saw a flurry of them really, and you just have to stay calm, breathe deeply, attempt to problem solve and hope that it all works out in the end.
The first one happened as Barry and I were printing the third letterpress print for the series.
Despite all my best efforts to keep the furniture in chase in position; it must have moved a bit. I think it happened in the proofing as I had to change a few pieces of type over, unlock it and then re-tighten and I inadvertently unlocked one side that I had avoided unlocking before. In the re-tightening, there were only millimetres in it; but that's all you need.
Some of the guilty type that started it all. Nobody's fault really - the type was damaged and it only becomes clear once you proof.
That one resolved, I thought I would just go print a page for the book. On the Adana tabletop press which is my best mate, and has never failed me nor not played nicely with me. Until it didn't.
How's this for a bunch of failed prints? On and on and on it went.
We got up early the next morning and Barry came over to help see if we could sort it out together. A bit of engineering and we think we've got it - the good news is the book page printed well.
And then the final of the letterpress prints. This one shows us moving the paper up and down to try to get it to fit around the etching. Each and every one of these prints caused us grief.
Bad huh?
We finally worked out why it was so hard. The line above the etching had a descender (the y). The line below the etching was full of ascenders (the k, the i, the ls). With the top descending and the bottom ascending - we were squished in the middle! This hadn't happened on any of the other etchings, and in future I will choose my words more wisely.
Here's the print run. Two epic fails on the the top step, an edition of 5 (just!). 3 possible A/Ps and two other fails, less epic. And then some blanks and some fun.
Onwards!
Try, try, again, testing your sanity and patience.
ReplyDeleteSo true Penny - the sanity was sorely tested at times! Go well.
Deletehaving a week of this sort of thing is just ridiculous! it does sound like you've learned a thing or two, but what a pain!
ReplyDeleteOh V, it did seem like just a little too much; but I did learn heaps and we go there in the end...nevertheless; she persisted! Go well.
DeleteCurses! Still beautiful errors and all!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cat - you can feel my pain! But yes, there is always something beautiful even in the mistakes...go well.
Deletelast week was like that here too... perhaps there was something in the stars...
ReplyDeleteOh Mo - so sorry to hear of misalignments your way as well. Sometimes it simply is in the stars and we just have to keep on moving along...go well.
DeleteI have done all thes things; especially the squashed type. Sending commiseration but also pride at your determination! Xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks C! Yes - I am printing an apron with Nevertheless, she persisted on to! Nice to know I am not alone, go well.
DeleteDescenders ... argh! Been there in stitches.
ReplyDeleteSo true, those pesky descenders! I am sure your stitching turned out beautifully tho Liz. Go well.
Delete