For the Public Good: Roads! | Main | Art Gone Postal: The Envelope Collective
November 27, 2007
Talking Letters with Alisha of Palindrome Press
[The Modern Letter Project talks to Alisha of Palindrome Press about her 2008 calendar, her favorite spots in Portland, Oregon, and how she found her footing in letterpress.]
MLP: Hi Alisha. Please introduce yourself!
Alisha: Hello, I’m a letterpress printer and designer in Portland, Oregon. I’ve recently launched my own studio, Palindrome Press. I’m currently balancing this with my part-time job at Oblation Papers & Press as an instructor and printer. I’m in a perfect place right now doing what I really love.
MLP: Do you have a background in printing? Why letterpress?
Alisha: I started taking letterpress classes at the University of Oregon, while pursuing a major in multimedia. I first studied under Megan O’Connell of Dead Skin Press and Sandy Tilcock. I immediately fell in love with the process and craft.
After that, I delved into anything that had to do with letterpress or typography. During this time I attended typecon, took a few workshops: one with Barbara Tetenbaum, and another at the San Francisco Center for the Book. I definitely bothered lots of printers asking to see their shops and learn anything, including Stumptown Printers, the IPRC…and buying tons of books!
MLP: Are you a native Portlander? What are some of your favorite spots around town?
Alisha: I grew up all over the place: Central America, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Wyoming. I’ve been in Portland for the past 3 years and I can’t say enough about it. There are way too many good places to eat and shop here. A good resource is the Eat Shop Guide.
Current faves: Lovely Hula Hands, Stumptown Coffee (of course!), Canoe, and The English Dept.
MLP: And what inspired you to start Palindrome press?
Alisha: I started palindrome because I missed doing letterpress & design work for myself. I’ve worked for a few printers and shops, and now I want to do something on my own. My work has always been on the side. Recently I’ve decided to just push it a little bit further and see what happens.
MLP: How would you describe the style of your work?
Alisha: A lot of my work tends to be simple and line-based. I usually start with sketches, then scan it in, and manipulate it on the computer to get what I want. Right now, I’m working on some hand-lettering for some upcoming cards and I’m wanting to incorporate some patterns into future projects. I’m still trying to find my style. I constantly see work around me that I love and I wish I could start all over again!
MLP: What type of presses do you use? Describe your workspace to us.
Alisha: I have a Vandercook and a Chandler & Price press. I use the Vandercook for my artwork, and for projects that are big or require a bit more attention. The Chandler & Price I use to print most of my jobs or goods for palindrome. My studio is housed in a historic brick building that was once home to Ford Motors. The building has recently been renovated and houses many artists, designers, and small business owners.
MLP: What are some of your design inspirations?
Alisha: I’m inspired by simple things—it could be something I see on a walk with my dog, a store sign that catches my eye, a new and interesting word ... Lately, I’ve been loving Marian Bantjes, Ray Fenwick, and Florence Broadhurst.
MLP: Who are some of your favorite card & stationery designers?
Alisha:
pancake & franks
binth
blissen
morris essex
port2port
moontree press
MLP: When someone approaches the press and wants custom cards made, what is the design and printing process like?
Alisha: Most everyone who has come to me has been distinct in two ways: they want a truly custom design (not a template) – and they have an idea of the motifs, color and feel they want. Once I know what the customer is looking for, I mock up proofs and we start the design process. I ensure the artwork, text and all the materials chosen will work for the project, and try to make everything as cohesive as possible.
After that, it’s to the presses for a labor-intensive craft: cutting paper, mixing ink, and hand-feeding each piece of paper.
MLP: How do you select your inks and paper? Any favorites?
Alisha: I’m often looking at fashion for color inspiration and then mix my ink by hand. My favorite paper right now is anything from Twinrocker Mill, a very expensive addiction!
MLP: And we noticed you use soy inks in your printing. Are your cards eco-friendly?
Alisha: I try to be as eco-friendly as possible. I use all soy inks, the paper is pure cotton, and I clean my printing presses with vegetable oil and simple green.
MLP: Do you have any special cards and designs coming up for the holidays?
Alisha: I have a calendar that I printed on my Vandercook and 2 different holiday card sets on the way–-all are available in the shop section of my site.
MLP: Any favorite cards and designs from your own collection?
Alisha: The craft series card set
MLP: And last, but not least: are you a letter-writer?
When I was younger I would be writing constantly: in my journal, to my friends, when passing notes in class, to boyfriends, or family. Now I’m sad to say I write letters mostly for special occasions to my family and close friends: holidays and maybe birthdays. I’ve saved a few letters from the past: old boyfriends, my cousin who always did these amazing drawings on the envelopes, and a few others.
