Going retro for Christmas cards

Here is the "Excelsior", the 5x8 table-top letterpress that was used to make the Christmas cards this year. Finally putting together rollers from the UK and springs/hooks from a press restoration store we got this little beast working!

Here is the vintage 1950s press die locked up in the "chase" and ready to go into the press.

This picture below is an action shot of Donna using the press, making sure it is ready and functioning before adding ink.

Below is the press all inked up and ready to print! (fact: we were able to dig up the ink we used for our wedding invitations back five years ago.)

We had to bolt the press down to the table and reinforce the table to make this guy work efficiently.

It took a little "make ready" time to get the press making the correct impression, but we eventually got it dialed in. Corey and all his 170lbs were used in making the deep impression that Donna demanded. (Donna didn't have the strength/weight to crank that little press down enough) If you received one of the Christmas cards, make sure to feel the lettering on the front and notice the impression (it came with blood, bruises, sweat, and tears!). He had a bruise going across the palm of his hand and thought he might have a stress fracture in his forearm, but seems to be just fine now (and Donna said that the sacrifice was worth it...easy for her to say)!

Donna "the riveter" flexing her arm and showing off her baby bump under her press coat. The cards turned out wonderfully for a small table-top press with not much psi but lots of heart (from the press operator, Corey)! Hopefully not much dust will collect on this press and it will be used again for future cards...