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My first practical introduction to letterpress printing came whilst studying BA (hons) Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (1991-1994). After spending two days in the College's Composing Room - a 1950s time capsule deep down in the bowels of the building - I quickly became fascinated by the creative potential of the process and by the ancient skills and ingenious machines employed to make it all happen.

Since graduating, my involvement with letterpress printing has deepened and I have acquired a substantial collection of lead and wooden types, printing machines and other paraphernalia - much of which I have rescued and restored to working order.

After having spent many years designing and printing letterpress cards for friends, family and fellow printmakers, I decided to introduce my designs to a wider audience. After two years of dedicated planning, I launched "T Y P O R E T U M" in August 2008 and it operates with the support of my wife, Cecilia, and occasional artistic input from our two year-old daughter!

All of our cards are lovingly hand-printed, in limited quantities, from antique wooden and metal letterpress type, decorative borders and printers' fleurons. We use vegetable-based inks and the finest quality printmaking papers. The paper we use for our cards is made from 100% cotton fibre (linter), which is a by-product of the clothing industry. The softness of this cotton rich paper feels luxurious to the touch and is kind to the environment.

All of our letterpress cards are available for purchase online via our website at www.typoretum.co.uk and we will be adding more designs soon!

I also run a Blog at blog.typoretum.co.uk and you may follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/typoretum