A few years ago, I met Mr. Retro. Mr. Retro is king of retro digital washes. I spent good money (actually I begged hubby and he got it) trying to achieve that old magazine look with his filters. I searched high and low, and only Mr. Retro could do this.

What`s so great about it? It will make your digital work look, well, retro! It is amazing some of the stuff he has achieved with Photoshop and filters. Besides his image “washers”, his Permanent Press filter rocks. It taught me more about letterpress than the book that came with my machine. Here I share a bit of my newly acquired wisdom.

Starving and Wet Plate

(clickable images)
Though most letterpress artist would throw these out, I don`t. The lack of ink is called a starved plate and the extra ink passed the blind spot is called wet press. It`s a bit of an oxymoron! This is what gives the paper character and even “dates” a little so it gets that retro look. It`s my favorite mistake and my cards proudly displayed that.

This image also shows ink texture. The tooth of the paper is visible and reveals how opaque the ink truly is. Some letterpress companies won`t allow this sort of thing to show on their printed product, but I like it.

Plate Rotation
This is probably the only blemish I do not allow on my finished product but like to see a bit of it. It has to do with the alignment of  the plates on to the artwork on the paper. Once again is one of those things that makes printing look retro.
This is what a perfect print usually looks like. The imprint and the ink are even  and very little tooth shows through the ink.

I also love how the detailed squeezes in between the flats of the plate. This picture really doesn`t do it justice. The texture is fantastic. The relief on the paper really makes it something to covet.

by | 4 Comments

4 Comments on They Want Effect

  1. Paulette Designs Inc.
    January 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM (15 years ago)

    Oh Mr Retro ! Yes we had an affair with him at one time didn’t we !! So happy you have resumed your love for him as he is knowledgeable and faithful. Merci Beaucoup for sharing him with us mon cheri.
    xoxo,
    paulette

  2. Elaine Biss Designs
    January 16, 2010 at 12:53 AM (15 years ago)

    Don`t you just love him!!! He is a dear and I have bought many of his books. Glad you enjoyed my post!!! XOXO

  3. Scott Rubel
    January 16, 2010 at 6:07 PM (15 years ago)

    I love your spirit, and this is not said in a mean way, but that look is only retro if you’re referencing bad printing of history. Yes, you do see this slur in a lot of old stuff, but printers would strive to avoid it, as you mention. It’s a result of a number of factors, but probably rollers the wrong diameter or the trucks being smaller than specified. Nice illustrations, and keep doing it.

  4. Elaine Biss Designs
    January 17, 2010 at 11:11 AM (15 years ago)

    Oh I agree Scott! By all means it should be avoided. I believe it is a byproduct of mass production. Personally, I love it. It`s like watching The Flintstones, seeing those “imperfections” just takes me back! Thanks for visiting! Come back soon!