About
Nestling in the shadows of the south downs, is the small town of Hailsham, East Sussex. It is in this historic town, that since the turn of the century you will find ink on paper.
The story of ink on paper, is really the story of me - Simon Piggott. I started ink on paper because I got frustated with the way that the craft of printing, that I had spent 20 years loving and learning, was being pushed aside in favour of a sterile - computers do everything industry. So I decided to start out on a one man evangelical adventure, trying to get as many people as I can, to fall in love with the craft of printing - letterpress and foil blocking.
I started work in 1987 as an apprentice printer on a YTS scheme earning the princely sum of £10 a week. I've worked in the print industry eversince. I have done just about every job in print, from rolling rags to running four colour lithographic presses. From typesetting to hand finishing.
You can read all about my everyday adventures in my blog by clicking here.
Letterpress
Letterpress is a relief printing method. The printing surface is raised above the non printing surface, this is done by cutting or burning away the non image area. Ink is then placed on the raised image and then pressed onto the paper. Historically, relief is the oldest form of printing.
All my printing is done on a 1930's hand-fed art platen.
Printing comes in a large range of colours and finishes. The range of products I produce are vast. Here are some, but by no means all:- Business Cards, Greeting Cards, Menus, Fixture Cards, Invitations, Letterheads, Envelopes, Labels and Tags, Wedding Stationery, Stickers & Certificates.
You can see my day to day letterpress adventures by clicking here and visting my blog.
Foil Blocking
Foil Printing, also known as foil blocking, gold blocking or hot foil stamping, is also a relief printing printing process. It differs from letterpress only in so far as instead of ink being transfered to the paper, it is a coloured foil that is transfered instead.
Foil comes in a large range of colours and finishes including gloss, matt, metallic, pearl, marble, rainbow patterns, and holographic. The range of products which can be printed are vast. Here are some, but by no means all:- Business Cards, Greeting Cards, Playing Cards, Bookmatches, Menus, Fixture Cards, Rosettes, Invitations, Letterheads, Envelopes, Labels and Tags, Wedding Stationery, Servettees, & Stickers, Pencils, Rulers, Badges, Price Tickers & Injection molded components, & Dials etc.. Belts, Bookmarks, Wallets, Monogrmming and Naming Books, Diaries, Wedding Albums & Coasters. Wooden items, Stain Ribbon, Artifical Fabric, Electrical and Office Machinery parts, Plastic Cards, Membership Cards, Jewellery Pads, Boxes, Folders, Advertising and Display Items.
You can see my day to day foil printing adventures by clicking here and visting my blog.
