Sorry Anonymous...

Although I was hoping to never have to do this, the time has come to block anonymous comments on this blog. In the past month I've received two inappropriate messages from someone who prefers to hide behind the protection of an Anonymous login. If you have something to say, why hide your identity?

And just for the record, I don't have a problem with the Alchemy system in it's entirety - in fact I was just awarded a bid for a project where I submitted an estimate based on real costs. What I have a problem with is the potential for the devaluation our work, and the potential for new printers that are desperate for work who may take on projects for which they will not be appropriately compensated (perhaps in hopes of landing future work, which may never come their way). All this adds up to speculative work, which any graphic design association in North America (and around the world) will tell you is unethical.

If you read my last post, you would have seen this: What I propose is this: If you are a letterpress printer that sells your work on Etsy, if you decide to participate in Alchemy, you should only submit proposals with realistic bids. I did not propose a full-fledged boycott.

And thank you for attempting to educate me about free markets. I did study economics in a past life; and no, I am not against the prices of goods and services being arranged by the mutual consent of sellers and buyers - as long as the seller is appropriately compensated for his or her time and efforts.

Sorry to anyone that might have or might have wanted to leave a useful comment anonymously, or who doesn't have a Google or OpenID account, but from now on, you'll have to login to leave a comment here.

Now for some useful content...I've had a few questions about the colored paper I used the other day to print notecards. I'm not sure who the manufacturer is as I bought the paper loose from a scrapbooking store - but I will look into it.

Happy letterpressing!

Business Cards and Boycotts?

© 2008 Sunlit Letterpress

Happy Easter friends! I hope you had a wonderful day! This Easter my husband and I decided to stay home and have an Easter dinner together just the two of us. Which reminds me, I'd better get that bird in the oven :)

Above you will see photos of some business cards I designed and printed for a local accountant. She wanted something simple, no motifs, no logo - just text. I love projects like this because they are so simple, and you can really take the time to appreciate the simplicity of type. There's no extra fluff or distraction.

So it seems I'm not the only letterpress printer out there with a beef about the Etsy Alchemy program. I am so happy to hear from other printers and crafters/artists that think the Alchemy system is a bit of a joke. So here is what I'm going to suggest - I think we should all undertake a quasi-boycott of the Alchemy program.

What I propose is this: If you are a letterpress printer that sells your work on Etsy, if you decide to participate in Alchemy, you should only submit proposals with realistic bids. i.e. Just because someone only wants to pay $20 for 50 custom-designed business cards, it doesn't mean you have to submit a bid for $20. Submit a bid that incorporates ALL of your REAL costs - design time, plates/typesetting, paper costs, cutting costs, ink costs, ink mixing costs, printing costs, packaging costs, and shipping (and any other costs you might incur based on your own processes).

I mean really - if you submit a bid for $20, not only are you undercharging for your work, you are doing us all a disservice by lowering the perceived value/costs of all of our work - which as you know, is high when compared to digital and offset printing. If you only bid $20, you'll never make up your costs.

Assuming the entire project takes you one full hour to prep and print 50 business cards (it would be more, but just for fun assume 1hr) - you'll only be paid $20 for that hour. This doesn't even take into account any of your materials, let alone the design time.

So, if you're a letterpress printer - then follow suit and only submit realistic bids. Write a post on your own blog about your new realistic approach to Etsy's Alchemy. And don't bid on projects where you can't even breakeven!

Happy letterpressing!

Branching out in color...

© 2008 Sunlit Letterpress

Yesterday was a holiday here, so I finally made a trek to the paper store to buy some colored paper to do some test printing. I use a lot of Crane Lettra in the studio, but white paper can get pretty boring after a while. There aren't a lot of options for good colored paper (that I've found anyways) that stands up well to letterpress, but I found some this weekend that is better than others. Above are some photos of a run of khaki trees on some light khaki paper (now available in our Etsy shop).

Speaking of Etsy, I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in recent developments. Etsy has started a little application called "Alchemy" on their site - people who want custom-made pieces put in a request with a listing of the "ideal price" they want to pay for something, and a description of what it is that they want. I took a quick look around and it made me a little sad. People asking for custom art pieces or handmade goods for really, really low amounts. For example, one person has put in a request for 50 custom-designed letterpress business cards for something like $20. Only one person has bid on the project, but $20 is just totally unrealistic.

First off, whether you are using metal type or photopolymer - the card has to be typeset or designed on the computer (or sketch). Then there are the paper costs, plate costs if using plates, ink costs, time to cut the paper, the printing costs, then the packing and shipping. And don't forget any overhead, the cost of packaging, and the cost of gas to drop off the package at the post office. Who can do all of that for $20? If someone is doing it for $20, then I reckon they aren't running a letterpress business that will last very long - or they are simply enjoying an expensive hobby.

Now I realize that people don't have to bid on projects at Alchemy, and that if you do submit a bid, you can submit it for higher than what the person lists as their "ideal price". But really, if people are only willing to offer $20, then in my opinion, this is akin to those horrible freelance websites where people low-ball to get a designer to design their entire corporate identity package for $100. And we know how that turns out. "Lo barato sale caro"...Anyways, enough ranting and raving...

I recently finished a run of custom letterpress business cards for a client and will post photos soon!

Happy letterpressing!

A Facebook Group for Sunlit Letterpress

© 2008 Sunlit Letterpress

Sunlit Letterpress now has a Facebook Group! Visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9587009750 with your Facebook account and join the group to see our upcoming events, photos of our work, and other updates. See you there!

Happy letterpressing!

All the pretty horses...

© 2008 Sunlit Letterpress

The above invitations were printed over the weekend for a client putting on a horse expo this Spring. The invitations and envelopes were A7 size, and I printed the return address on the back flap of the envelope. I chose a very Spring-ish green to stand out against the fluorescent white stock.

This past Saturday my husband and I attended the opening wine + cheese for Gingerly, where our ready-to-wear line is now available. It was great to meet owner Megan and see her new store. She had lots of beautiful jewelery for sale (her own line) as well as handbags, stationery, accessories, etc. I picked up a few gifts for friends while I was there, so some birthday shopping is already done for the year!

This week I have a custom business card order to print, and lots of non-printing jobs to finish for my graphic design studio. I'll be spending more time at the computer than with the press.

Happy letterpressing!

Gingerly Opening & Got Craft

Image courtesy of Poppytalk, courtesy of Gingerly.

Gingerly opens tomorrow in Maple Ridge, hope to see you there! We're looking forward to it!

Also, we've just signed on for Got Craft?, a great art and fine craft market put on by Andrea and Rob at Lotus Events. Mark your calendars for May 4th - the market will be held on Commercial Drive in Vancouver (2205 Commercial). We attended the last Got Craft? in July of 2007.

This year there will be a media and retailer invite-only breakfast reception (which should be really fun) - the reception is being sponsored by Craft Magazine. Got Craft? will be the first craft market ever sponsored by Craft Magazine, so that is terrific!

It's not that I needed an extra "to do" item on my list, but what the heck, Got Craft? is worth it. Great crowd, great vendors, great organizers.

Happy letterpressing!

Off To the Shop They Go...

Though I hate to say goodbye to my little creations - the cards above are now on their way to Gingerly, a new store opening this weekend here in Vancouver that will be carrying the Sunlit Letterpress line. I hope they are a big hit for store owner Megan.

If you're in the Maple Ridge area this Saturday, be sure to drop by Gingerly to check out the grand opening!

This week I have to step away from the press a bit and work on some web projects for my graphic design clients. A number of my clients are government bodies or government-funded bodies, and so many of my projects have to be finished up and billed for March 31st. This leads to what I call "March Madness", and has nothing to do with NCAA basketball.

Happy letterpressing!