Producing Retro Letterpress Postcard on An Original Vandercook SP 15
Taking retro printing to a whole new level, we’ve fully restored an original Vandercook SP 15 that is ready to create vintage postcards for you!
We accepted the mammoth task of producing an illustrated vintage postcard on a Vandercook SP 15 using a full-color CMYK process. Even though challenging at times, the hand-cranked printing process was an overall enjoyable experience, and the final product is something we now take extreme pride in. For our print experts, taking a step back in time and having to produce a print product as they did in the 1960s was an eye-opening, educational, and fulfilling experience.
The Illustration
To ensure an authentic look and feel to our retro postcards, we used a custom illustration of the Vancouver Airport in the 1950s. The combination of retro illustration and the original Vandercook SP 15 make for a beautiful early 60s-looking postcard.
The Process
Produced one plate and one color at a time, the Vandercook SP 15 created outstanding letterpress art. Using an etched magnesium plate (100 LPI ) mounted to the press bed for precision, the entire hand-cranked process is tedious but has mind-blowing results. After applying one color of ink to the distribution rollers, a single sheet of paper is rolled across the inked plate. This process has to be repeated multiple times as it needs to be done one sheet of paper at a time! The rollers are then cleaned and inked with the next color, and the entire process is repeated until the whole CMYK process is complete.
The Result
The time-consuming process results in a full-color print in a style unique to the 1940s and 1950s. Most commonly used for calendars, menus, signs, and other custom-printed goods during that time, it is something that we are genuinely in awe of and is an art form reproduction that stands out from ordinary CMYK printing.
About The Vandercook SP15
The Vandercook SP15 was produced by Vandercook & Sons, a proof press manufacturer founded in 1909. Known for being a dominating force in the proof press industry in the 20th century, Vandercook & Sons developed the first and most commonly used proof presses, including the Vandercook SP15.
To ensure authenticity in our work, we confirmed that the Vandercook SP15 we acquired was in pristine condition and close to being 100% original. Known for its lightweight design, the machine is part of the “Simple Precision” series. It was made to print repro proofs from metal-type forms. It was used to make photo-litho plates for offset printing using formulated paper and laboratory testing ink and paper.
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Hard to put into words how much joy watching the process you went through to print such an amazing image gives me. Thankyou for the work you put into producing your KZread videos.
Yay! I've so been missing you guys hope all is well much love from a smalltown wishes we were on your level locally owned print shop in MT, USA. Whenever a customer comes in and asks if we know alt source for the truly top shelf business card options etc that we just cant do with lasers you guys remain the ultimate answer to show them. Amazing website and love your content here as well! Cheers & prosperity 💙🖖
Any Jukebox content is good Jukebox content. So excited to see a new video!
You're back! Nice!
So so good to see you back. I just love your channel. I’m a former printing professional. 🇨🇦
Awesome! I was beginning to think you guys had given up posting. Glad to see something new!
WOW! Found you on KZread this morning. I am a retired printer (37 years) and really enjoy watching your videos!! Letterpress is my absolute favorite process. While offset & digital have their place, nothing is as satisfying as the artistic work of a skilled letterpress operator. My ex-husband was one such individual and I learned so much from him. Your work is amazing. I look forward to any future videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge & skill! P.S. the 4 color piece you printed was Beautiful!!!
@billiebickers....
Жыл бұрын
Looked like a perfect register. Loved it.
I'm a owner of the same machine and I use them for print fine stationary and some papers for the wine industry... every time I use this machine I'm feel so afortunate to have one. This machine has a beatiful magic.... i'ts just talk seeing...just like the video. Congrats and cheers from Chile
That came as a surprise, I didn't expect you anymore. 😅👍🏻🇩🇪
Awesome to see you back. Love your videos. 😍😍
The quality of this print is remarkable ! Great work, cheers to you !
More videos. Nothing more satisfying than watching a retro printing machine.
You're finally back! I missed you guys. Are you actually back, will we see more of you?
Por fin, ya se hechaba de menos sus magníficos videos. Tal vez , demasiado tiempo sin ellos. Espero que de aquí en adelante no sea tanto tiempo. Extraordinaria la postal con esos colores tan vivos. Ya sueño con el siguiente vídeo. Un fuerte abrazo desde España😂😂
So Cool !
Hey, what happened to your channel? 2023 still watching your videos.
So happy to see your video!
Finally you guys are back. Good to have you back
Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, I love all of your videos and was waiting for more!
so amazing to see a new video from you
Good to see yall
Just beautiful!
Awesome! More videos, please!
you are back
When the customer asks for that old school look and feel.
It's alive! Where have you been all this time?
sensacional 👏🏾👏🏾 🇧🇷
Bu baskı tekniği, Corel 21 de hazırlanmış bu görsele çok yakışmış. Tebrikler.
Been missing your videos for a year..
More videos please!
amazing!!
beautiful
super nice
Gott grüß die Kunst 👌🏻
Great level of awesomeness ❤️ Anybody knows how those plates are made ?
@copelandart
2 жыл бұрын
They're photo-etched, usually of magnesium, copper, or brass. There are several places around the USA that can make them
@trollenz
2 жыл бұрын
@@copelandart thanks !
ive missed yalls videos so much! just came back to rewatch your old ones and did some of them get taken down?
First, glad to see more videos from you guys! Second: I very badly want one of those prints. Were these done for the video or are all of them already spoken for? If there is a chance I could purchase one, please let me know how!
When are the how-to videos coming back? It's more interesting when we know whats going on.
Hola cómo se llama esta máquina y cuánto puede valer?
He didn't put the ink on evenly, and that's a "proofing press", it's not designed to print mass copies.
Hi, I'm in South Africa and I your videos are inspirational, I have a Little Giant that I would like to know if you could maybe give some instruction on how to work the machine. Thank you very much.
👍👍👍
how much of your machine,please
Price please
Why you took so long? We miss your videos.
Im ur fan,can u guys send it to china?
Daya mau mesinya oke leterfres