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If you haven't already noticed, we've been singing George's praises ever since he took over press operations last October. Behind in printing our fall release when he started, we left him with the not-so-easy task of getting us back on track. He accomplished this and more, keeping the presses running and helping us to organize and streamline our production and QA. I mean the guy loves labeling drawers and moving huge pieces of furniture around. He's also a sucker for Cool Runnings, plaid flannel shirts, and a cup of joe. But probably the best person to talk about George is George himself! Read on to learn more about how he and letterpress were destined for one another ... 

(photo credit: Studio Nouveau)

What path led you to become interested in letterpress?
Letterpress first hit my radar toward the end of my college years. I was studying graphic design and my typography professor noticed that I gravitated toward typefaces that resembled old wood type. I would often choose very bold, slab-serifed display type and so she asked me if I knew about letterpress. Looking back, the similarities that she saw are obvious, but I was clueless at the time. It was those old wooden fonts, the tactile nature of letterpress prints, and the demands of working within the limitations of the medium that first drew me to letterpress printing and led me to focus my senior thesis on the method. After growing weary of computer work and struggling to find work in the design industry, I set my sights on an apprenticeship in letterpress printing as a way to work with my hands while still putting my education to use.

(photo credit: Thy Doan)

What do you love most about letterpress?
This is a tough one. I love the presses. The little quirks and unique personality that each one has. Learning to operate and maintain a new press. Troubleshooting the numerous issues that might come up on any given day. But I love the letterpress community, too. I’ve found so many open doors in the industry from the Pacific Northwest to Florida, and from San Francisco to upstate New York. Besides just opening their doors to a fellow pressman, many of the printers I’ve visited across the country have become close friends and go-to resources when I find myself in a jam. When it comes down to it, the part I love the most is the fact that this is how I make my living.

Where do you regularly turn to for creative inspiration?
Although I’m now a printer, I still like to keep an eye on the design industry. The latest print projects are of particular interest to me as I want to be careful to never underestimate the possibilities of letterpress. At home, I never have to look very far for inspiration because my wife is a graphic designer and hand letterer. Our conversations are always full of plenty of design and printing geekery.

What do you find is the most challenging aspect of the printing process?
The most challenging part of the job is the first time I face each new issue with a machine or a specific print run. Luckily, this can also be the most rewarding part of the job. Resolving an issue that I've never faced before brings such a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Granted, these issues never pop up at convenient times and that gratification doesn’t come until you’ve pushed through hours, sometimes days, of stress and frustration. Of course the hope is always that each victory will hold little lessons that will help me through the next bit of troubleshooting.

Which presses have you used? Do you have a favorite? Why?
All told, I’ve run more than 20 different presses: C&Ps, Vandercooks, Heidelberg windmills and cylinders, Kluges, a Brausse, and a Frontex Automatic Cylinder. The Heidelberg K-line cylinders are my favorite presses, hands-down, and I have a tough time imagining that changing. The Heidelberg windmill wins for ease of setup and use, but the cylinder presses get better ink coverage and impression. The K-line presses are the smaller of the Heidelberg letterpress cylinders, but are large enough to run a 12x18” poster. Plus, the smaller size makes them more manageable to run and allows them to run jobs that would be too small for the larger cylinder presses. Add the fact that these presses pretty much run themselves once they’re all dialed in, and if I had to choose just one press to run everything on, the K-line would be an easy choice.

(photo credit: Studio Nouveau)

What is your #1 piece of advice for someone who wants to learn about letterpress? Is there anything you wished you had known as a beginner?
The only thing I really wish I had known sooner is just that letterpress exists. It is hard for me to think back to my college years, being unable to take a letterpress 101 type course until my final semester, and not wonder what more time on press as a student would have done for me. At the same time, I don’t consider myself a printmaker and I think that is where most of the school programs and workshops tend to lead: fine art, design and printmaking. Instead, I see myself purely as a pressman. Printing is my trade and it is a service industry that I work in. A pressman’s job isn’t to pursue his or her own vision, but to execute the design or vision of the client—in my case, Smudge Ink. I think this is the biggest thing I would want to clarify for anyone looking to get involved with letterpress and especially for anyone that I might personally be training. The first step to planning your route is deciding which end of things you ultimately hope to land on.

What would be your dream letterpress project?
Easy. A 1950s COE box truck rebuilt to carry a mobile, production-ready press shop. The dream would be the combination of a custom letterpress shop, a bit of a retail offering, and an in-house stationery line created by my wife. The truck would allow us to tour the craft shows without getting behind on custom orders. Plus we’d have the ability to do demos at the shows. It’s a pipe dream, but one that I’ve spent a fair amount of time thinking about. I'll admit I’ve even run the numbers once or twice …

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?
Breakfast is the favorite meal in our home, so on Saturday mornings you can always expect us to go above and beyond. No instant breakfast or cereal here (maybe Cinnamon Toast Crunch on my birthday). Breakfast is followed with coffee, reading, and the dogs. We have two nine year old lab-mix, litter-mate, shelter dogs that have us tightly wrapped around their paws.

Thanks, George! Keep your eyes out for more from our trusty pressman in  the upcoming Dear George series. In the meantime, you can find more of George's recent work here and follow him here!

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I’m so glad I went to the Boston Women’s March because the day felt happy and hopeful, a much welcome change to the feelings of dread hanging over me since the election. It was wonderful to find myself surrounded by over 100,000 people who care and want to be involved. Not to mention there were more than 2 million people across the country and around the world who were also marching!

I marched with a group of friends and my dad carrying signs designed by Hello!Lucky and The Working Assembly. My dad’s been an activist since he was a teenager protesting the Vietnam War, and I felt proud walking the streets of Boston with him by my side carrying an “I’m with her" sign. I was inspired by the creative signs, passionate speeches, and the mere ability to demonstrate peacefully in a respectful show of democracy and civic discourse. And I don’t want the momentum to end with the March. To make sure our voices continue to be heard, I’ll be following the Women's March campaign's 10 Actions in 100 Days, and contacting my legislators regularly to let them know what I'm thinking. I will also be sure to send thank you notes (I usually use one of these, of course) when our elected officials stand up for our rights—they'll need the encouragement as they fight the good fight.

I was also proud that Smudge Ink had good representation at the March! Read on to hear about everyone else's thoughts and experiences.

SARAH. The Boston Women's March was beyond inspiring and an important reminder that everyone's voice matters. But more than that, it was a powerful reminder to me to show up and be an ally for people whose voices aren't being heard. To that end I look forward not just to participating in more marches and protests, but also doing my part by calling and writing to local and national elected officials. As one of the speakers said, "we've come so far but we have so much farther to go." On a side note: the signs were amazing. And I was happy to read that museums all over the world are adding them to their collections. 

CLAYTON. I honestly didn't hear of the Women's March until a couple days before when I began to hear office chatter of people attending. Sarah invited me to join her Smithie group, and with that invitation, I decided go. It was my first protest ever. I went because: 1) there are a number of strong women in my life that I love and admire and 2) being there seemed like a good way to voice my discontent with the newly elected alongside many others that feel the same. It felt good being there. The sun was shining. And despite the many fears and much unhappiness amid the newly rising political and national climate, that day, amid the thousands, it felt like everything would be okay.

ERIN. I was excited and nervous for my first march. I really didn't know what to expect. I went with a group of some of my favorite nasty women, and we were definitely fired up listening to Elizabeth Warren and Maura Healy speak. It was very encouraging to be surrounded by so many people and know that we're standing up together. Though it took us at least an hour to even get out of Boston Common to start marching, I left feeling hopeful for the first time since the election.

GEORGE. I am not a protestor. As a rule, I don't speak out. I avoid conflict at all costs. But there comes a time in life where we have to ask ourselves where the line is—what is too much? What will it take to push us to speak out? Having the rights of those around me challenged by the highest office in our land is well beyond my line, so far beyond that I could find no justification for staying home while my wife marched. To paraphrase my favorite sign of the day, the concern is so high that "even the introverts are here." My favorite moment, the one that made it worth the claustrophobia, was hearing an older woman telling her friend that "it's different this time" because so many men were there.

The sign I carried proclaimed "Liberty and Justice for ALL." I hope I live those words.

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I find it energizing to break open a new calendar every January 1st. It's almost as though you gift yourself 365 new days of possibilities. As we turned the page on 2016, I asked everyone here: what's one thing you’re excited about doing/getting done in the new year? 

CLAYTON. Where to begin? My bucket seems so full. If I'd have to choose one thing from my very heavy bucket (list) for 2017, it would have to be to make better use of the sewing machine some of my friends gave me for my birthday last year (thanks Emma, Jen, and Mike!). First things I'm going to sew in the new year will be for them!

ZOÁRD. 2017 will be the year I master the Risograph I bought last year, and then assemble some other like-minded creative types and start a small publishing house. We would publish mostly collaborations as small books, zines, pamphlets, editioned artworks from artists of all concentrations and of all communities focusing on the Boston area, but also the global community. 2017 is hopefully also the year my wife, Erica, and I finally get out to Europe again and put our eyeballs all over as much art as they can stand.

HALEY. This year, I really want to improve my skills in the kitchen. I say this every year but I'm already off to a good start, so I'm excited to see how I do!

ALLISON. I would like to hike at least 5 trails in New Hampshire and Maine. This will be my first full year after graduating college so I plan on getting my hobbies back and adding some new ones! 

GEORGE. My big goal for 2017 is to finally start saving for the restoration of my 1968 Porsche 912. I inherited the car in 2012 after it had been parked for 30 years or so. The floorboards are a little tender, and the seals and fuel lines will likely need to be replaced, but the body and interior are solid. I'm hoping it might be roadworthy by the summer of 2018! 

SARAH. I ran my first half marathon in 2016 and would love to do a couple more in 2017 with the goal of improving my time and overall running ability. 

SABRINA. 2017 will be the year my husband and I buy our first home. We've been looking for longer than we'd like to admit. Others started searching after us and are now way past their first housewarming party. I still get listings and tips from friends every other week. If they haven't given up on us, then we certainly can't lose hope!

APRIL. This year I want to 1) meet my new niece, 2) take a for-real-non-working vacation, and 3) make at trip to the west coast! 

ERIN. This year I'd like to do more art for fun. I have a lot of artistic projects I need to work on, but I think it's important to take the time to do something I enjoy—whether it's painting seaweed or finally making those Star Wars paper dolls I've been thinking about for years. Also, I moved three months ago and I'd love to finally get those last few boxes off my floor!

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How is it already December? Sheesh! We've been printing like mad over here at Smudge Ink HQ. And in between I've been busy preparing for some upcoming holiday craft/art markets. I thought I'd pass along more info in case anyone's seeking out products designed and made by local artisans (or just want to come and say hi!). You'll be sure to find some great crafts, art, jewelry, records, baked goods, handmade toiletries, vintage clothing and more to stuff those stockings with!

Today (12/2) and tomorrow (12/3) is the JP Holiday Flea presented by Seek & Find (who hosted the zine-fair I participated in back in August) and La Piñata. The flea brings together over 70 local and Latin American artists, crafters, weavers, and woodworkers for a 2-day fair. You'll find us at Spontaneous Celebrations right by the Stony Brook T stop off the Orange line. Hours are today from 1-6 pm and Saturday from noon-5 pm.

Next Sunday (12/11), I'll be at the infamous Black Market at the Cambridge Elks Lodge located at 55 Bishop Allen Drive in Central Square. This bi-monthly event is coordinated by Boston Hassle (a non-profit organization which promotes and organizes arts and music events around town) and Ignore Rock’n’Roll Heroes (an mostly-online punk culture focused shopping extravaganza based out of Brooklyn).

The holiday Black Market is easily the busiest, biggest of the year, so make sure to get there early! It runs from 11 am-5 pm. This event brings together all sorts of characters, from punk record vendors and pop-up vintage clothing stores to soap-makers and tarot card readings. While the basement gets pretty packed with shoppers, you can find a moment of peace at the bar. Yes, you heard me right, someone in this town figured out that a High Life pairs nicely with holiday shopping madness.

While these are the holiday markets I’ll be tabling at, there are a number of other markets coming up in the next couple weeks, including CraftBoston Holiday, Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair - The Loft!, and Krampus Pop-up Holiday Market. 

Happy shopping, Smudgeons!

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(image: George's "mo")

You’re not keeping that are you? What does your wife think? How do you get away with that? Where’d your beard go?! I didn’t recognize you …

Half way through my sixth Movember, I’ve had a fair amount of practice getting used to the comments and “hairy eyeballs” that my mustache provokes. I first participated in Movember in 2010. I had just graduated college and was living with my parents, working alternating day and night shifts, looking for my first “real” job. I was bored and I was looking for entertainment. As I read up on Movember and discovered what it was all about, I realized I really had no excuse not to participate. It would take minimal effort on my part, I had a decently full beard (so I wouldn’t look too sketchy), and best of all: it was for a good cause.

The Movember Foundation, #55 in the top 500 non-governmental organizations, is a global organization dedicated to improving men’s health and encouraging the difficult conversations that guys tend to avoid. Starting with just 30 participants in Australia in 2003, 5,232,625 participants have since raised $710 million for a broad range of programs and trusted men’s health partners. The Movember efforts are focused on three key issues: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

“The state of men’s health is in crisis. Men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. Prostate cancer rates will double in the next 15 years. Testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50. Three quarters of suicides are men. Poor mental health leads to half a million men taking their own life every year. That’s one every minute. Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing this health crisis and it’s not being talked about.
We can’t afford to stay silent.”

I can help and all it will take is a mustache? Count me in.

(image: design by Thy Doan)

For the first few years I followed the rules to a T. I shaved clean every November 1st and grew the “mo” from scratch. Since then, as I have become more motivated by the spirit of the movement and it’s purpose, I’ve become less of a stickler for the rules so I usually shave my beard down and leave however much of a ‘stache I’ve already grown. The bonus is that I’ve found a fuller mustache tends to start more conversations which leads to greater success.

After shaving, I often forget that I have a mustache until I catch myself in the mirror in the morning. I always feel like a cop or a fighter pilot (à la Goose), but really I’m just a dead ringer for my father when he was my age. No matter who or what the mustache makes me look like, I’m lucky to have a wife who puts up with my foolishness. In fact, it was the middle of my second Movember, when we first started dating. I took her agreeing to be seen in public with me as a good sign.

Movember has become a fun “remember when” time of year for us and it has been a great excuse for us to collaborate. I’m a printer with a background in graphic design and she’s a designer with a passion (and knack) for hand lettering. I like to send out a sort of “thank you” to all of my donors at the end of the month so we usually tackle that together. It helps kickstart the holiday cheer and spreads the warm fuzzies. Besides, it’s the least we can do.

I plan to put together a letterpress piece again this year, but I am broadening my goals. I usually go it alone, but this year I have been trying to put my connections to good use to build a team of letterpress printers: The Handsome Devils. The name is a nod to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride that Movember organizes and a bit of print trivia. Historically, a “Printer’s Devil” was a person serving at or below the level of apprentice in a printing establishment.

(image: print by George Graves & Thy Doan)

Movember advertises three ways to participate: growing a mustache, taking a movement/exercise challenge, or hosting an event. In coming years, I’m hoping this team grows into a fourth method of participation. I’m asking that each team member also be willing to print a commemorative piece as a thank you for their donors. We’re starting small this year, but in years to come I would love to see this culminate in a gallery show at the end of the month as a sort of wrap party.

Other than the fact that I’ve always gotten a kick out of trying out different beard and mustache styles, I continue to participate in Movember for two reasons. First: I grow the mo for my brothers who face battles far greater than anything I’ve experienced and do so with far greater courage than I possess. I won’t name them, because their humility is part of what I admire so much about them. Second: I’m using Movember as motivation to begin speaking more openly about my own experiences with anxiety and depression with the hope of removing the stigma for other men who might be struggling silently.

If you’d like to help me change the face of men’s health, please donate directly to my fundraising page or to The Handsome Devils' page. If I reach my goal of $1,000 Clayton and Zoard are going to rock mustaches with me for at least a week. Right guys? Right?

Perhaps even more importantly, take the leap and have the tough conversations with the men in your life. The Movember website has all the tools and information you need to fully arm yourselves for just such an effort!

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