3x5 letterpress

I still have my 3x5 that my grandfather bought me in 1961. They are good for business cards, but for invitations you need a 6x10, even the 5x8 could be a little small. Most small table top presses you can only print about half the chase, there is not enough pressure to print large solids or lots of type. Not saying it can’t be done, but it takes practice to figure out what you can do on a small press. These are great presses to learn on, Good Luck Dick G.

I have a Kelsey 3x5, I print small gift tags on it and I take it with me to craft fairs to use for demonstration. The kids love to see it in use. Dick is right about the print size, the 3x5 is pretty limited but the portability and small footprint are nice. If you have the space definitely look into something a little bigger. I print our cards and most of our art prints on a 1903 Chandler & Price 8x12 but that weighs 1200 lb. and takes up some floor space. Whatever you choose, take a class or two before you run it. It will save you time, frustration and possible broken parts in the long run. Best of luck
Steve

Paper Stone Printing
Steve Nartowicz
P.O. Box 137
Chesterfield MA 01012
413-834-0930
www.paperstoneprinting.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperstoneprinting

I have a very beautiful 3x5 Kelsey that I use for demonstrations. I love that I can just pick it up and go! I do the main printing on my 8x12 Golding and then have people finish up a bookmark with the 3x5 so they can keep it.
Enjoy what ever press you decide to get. Denise

A 3x5 Kelsey is indeed small… but it’s still a “real press”. It’ll print quite nice cards, letterheads, envelopes and so forth as long as you work within it’s limitations.

I’ve got one that I’ve used for years….. and I doubt if I’d ever sell it.

Thanks for all the replies. I live in a 2nd floor apartment, so can only have a tabletop press for now. I was going to be doing wedding invitations, envelopes, stationary, save the date cards, announcement cards.

Right now I just screen-print my designs onto cards. I really love the results a letterpress makes and the history behind them.

Is a 6x10 or 5x8 really heavy?

A 5x8 is not at all heavy, the 6x10 can be easily carried by two people. Excelsior Press in New Jersey has table top presses for sale, in Massacchusetts you have Letterpress Things in Chicopee, he sells presses also. Good Luck Dick G.

Thanks for the reply dickg! I will look at those two places you suggested. I live in NH so that it good to know their is a seller in MA.

The man who runs Letterpress Things (john Barrett) also runs a letterpress store at the museum of printing in North Andover, MA, also a cool place to visit, they are not too far off rt. 93 pretty close to NH. They are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. Good Luck Dick G.

The man who runs Letterpress Things (john Barrett) also runs a letterpress store at the museum of printing in North Andover, MA, also a cool place to visit, they are not too far off rt. 93 pretty close to NH. They are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. Good Luck Dick G.