Why Is This 15th Century Invention Still in Use? Modern Graphic Design and the Letterpress

Presenter: Taylanna Alyse Vargas

Faculty Sponsor: Beatrice St. Laurent

School: Bridgewater State University

Research Area: Art & Design

Session: Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Auditorium, A19

ABSTRACT

As a graphic designer it is essential to understand why letterpresses are still used as a vital tool in the field despite the technological advancements that have been made. The purpose of this work is to discover what draws artists and designers towards traditional methods of print. To understand why, I researched the history of the letterpress and attended a letterpress workshop and lecture. Physically working with the letterpress gave me a better grasp of how these machines work and why they’re so loved. I also traveled to museums and galleries containing fine art prints, including letterpress and screenprinting works. The reason why people gravitate towards traditional print is because of the need for a personal connection between the art and the artist. For the technical side, you get full control of the color of the ink when you mix it by hand. You imbed impressions onto the surface that you cannot achieve through basic inkjet (or other digital) printers. You can also handset your words and images. This letterpress work and research in printing and graphic design are important because of the way the field is rapidly changing. Artists and designers have an understanding that quality comes from physical work. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence, and even the heavy reliance on digital workspaces, has made it clear that there is a lack of understanding in graphic design and printing principles, as well as an unawareness of the importance of both. 

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