I started Little Buffalo Press in 2003 as an extension of my work as an illustrator. The idea came to me while I was living in the Bay Area, and it really flourished when I moved to Michigan a couple of years ago. I saw the letterpress medium as a unique way of reproducing low volume, one-of-a-kind posters and cards for promoting my illustrations, but it soon evolved into creating limited runs of poster prints.
The name Little Buffalo Press came from my fascination with Native American culture and how the buffalo was central to their way of life. They used every part of the buffalo and nothing went to waste. I strive to utilize all of the paper I work with in my letterpress, as well as the ink, in other creative ways so that nothing is left to waste. I am working on plans for paper making, and I plan on using the scrap paper I leave behind from each job to create new paper.
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I came to letterpress somewhat accidentally. I was working at a design studio, and just being around designers gave me a love for the medium. They were collecting old wood type at the time, and it interested me to take a class at the local university. I drove out to Wyoming and bought a couple of presses from a gentleman, and then the equipment just sat for a few years and through a couple of moves. I was getting tired of the style I was known for as an illustrator, so between being bored of that, and giving myself the ultimatum of either using my presses or selling them, I came up with my current direction. I started making the posters that i would like to buy and hang up on my walls, as well as fictitious illustration commissions I was so wanting art directors to contact me for.
I primarily use linoleum, as well as combining analogue with digital mediums by making photo polymer plates from my digital illustrations. I started using linoleum because I find the carving process therapeutic, as well as less expensive than going through the process of having a printing plate made. I enjoy how limiting linoleum is, and that if you make a mistake you have to really think creatively to work yourself out of a corner. I was finding myself trying to replicate the effect of a hand inked linoleum block when I worked on the computer, and I have found that I enjoy taking the time and having the patience to get these interesting textures and colors by hand-pulling these prints on my hundred-year-old presses.
I have a couple of old tabletop presses, one of which was made in 1908, another over a hundred years old, and the “youngest” is about sixty or seventy years old. One press that I have been using extensively is a Cincinnatti Type Foundry “Army” hand-inking proof press that has been on loan to me for the past few months by Andrew Churchman. This press was possibly used by Civil War soldiers on the front lines to print news from battle. It was considered a portable press. It is interesting what was considered portable in the 1860s! This press was also used by frontier town newspapers, so that could have also been where it saw a lot of action.
I love the idea of combining the age-old technology of Gutenberg with 21st century technology, and I try to combine the strengths of both. Most of the time I like to just carve and create everything by hand, and most of those posters, cards, and sketchbooks in my Etsy shop are created this way. It can take quite a bit of time. I usually can print around thirty posters in two hours time if I move quickly.
I also use Vandercook presses, which are self-inking and allow me to make higher volume print runs. I rarely print more than fifty of any particular poster only to keep control over how many there are out there. Even when I print these in larger volume, each print is truly one of a kind, and I make it a point to print all of my work myself. A lot goes into the carving of my blocks, as well as the drawings and type I create digitally. It can be somewhat grueling, but anything worthwhile and creative is going to exhaust you! It is a good, tired feeling.
Thanks to Don for sharing his story. Have you had a video made about your medium? Share in the comments below!
73 comments
Sign in to add your ownMetamorphosi says:
Che bello!
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
terrific work. seriously nice.
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Beautiful print work I love your style its really bold! Also good to see that you dont waste anything : )
1 year ago
laurastark says:
Awesome! Love the work and that vandy is sweet!
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
Great video- it is so inspiring to see the creative and actual process behind all the wonderful things I see here on Etsy!
1 year ago
Emmamaha says:
Very educational:) thank you!
1 year ago
AutumnLeavesJewelry says:
Amazing process! Thanks for the cool video...print making is a mysterious world for me, these are awesome!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Awesome !
1 year ago
missive says:
Thank you for sharing your video about the letterpress process—most people don't know just how much work is involved!
1 year ago
TurnersCollectibles says:
I love print makers. I've been selling my collection of wood type and printers blocks to many talented print makers over the years. The two toned man punching the two toned bear in the video is really cool.
1 year ago
daslinoleum says:
this is such awesome work! just earlier today i put together a treasury on all things print-related! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cd5f0e46e308eef50c62421/etsy-is-the-word-an-alphabetically?index=2
1 year ago
AWishForYou says:
Fantastic. This is a wonderful nest for all teams. They are the support network of etsy. I have got help, advice, encouragement and a lot of fun from the great etsyirelandteam. This is great to see.
1 year ago
imadeyouabeard says:
So nice to see a glimpse inside his studio! I am a huge printmaking nerd, so I love seeing other artists working with traditional printing techniques and materials. Great video, hope to see more video features of artists working with old-timey processes and tools!
1 year ago
AWishForYou says:
Opps last comment was about teams - I left comment in wrong place! But reading this great article now has brought me back to my art college days. There was an great old letterpress on which the best poster could be printed. (this was before computers in the college- telling my age here - now I spend too much time on the computer- how things change)
1 year ago
lindaketelhut says:
Incredible work. It's so interesting to read about your process. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
senioritis says:
Awesome video, this is the first time we've seen letterpress in action! Great work and we like the story behind your name as well ;)
1 year ago
buttonandthimble says:
I absolutely love your work and letterpresses; I practically drool if I see one at an antique store. Keep up the great work! I think I feel inspired...
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
I love the art of letterpress! So beautiful!
1 year ago
YacsPocket says:
Marvelous!! Thank you for a great video and very interesting story. I love your style. I learned printmaking technics (especially etching) at a school in Florence in Italy. And the name of the school was "Il Bisonte", it means buffalo! I'm wondering about the deep connection between printmaking and buffalo....
1 year ago
whitehaus says:
the combination of old and new holds so much appeal for me. i love hearing of the ways people are able to marry traditional with modernism. great post!
1 year ago
peaseblossomstudio says:
Love this! I don't do letterpress anymore, but still love the medium and my huge collection of type!
1 year ago
SimpleJoysPaperie says:
Really very interesting article! Your work is wonderful and how fortunate you are to be able to use those old presses. I've done some block printing very simply with a brayer and I admire your work! :)
1 year ago
Sophia26 says:
Wow, your work is just incredible. I love printing so much :)
1 year ago
iroirocrafts says:
Wow, your work is just incredible. I love printing so much :)
1 year ago
iroirocrafts says:
Beautiful prints..
1 year ago
ValerieTyler says:
Letterpress work is so lovely!
1 year ago
blueflowervintage says:
Love this!
1 year ago
DalkullanJewelry says:
People's idea of what portability entails has certainly changed, hard to imagine men fighting a war bringing a printing press along. Thanks for a very interesting article, and for keeping alive a beautiful, handcrafted way of printing!
1 year ago
arsniccandy says:
That is some amazing stuff! Such intricate(is that spelled right?) work:)
1 year ago
riorita says:
This is very special and new to me. Thank you for the wonderful article!
1 year ago
earlybirdcreations says:
Love this! Letterpress is just gorgeous :)
1 year ago
mygoodness says:
I want to be you! How lucky you are!! You do lovely work that you love to do!
1 year ago
ClaudiaLord says:
Great article!
1 year ago
HeyChica says:
Thanks for sharing your process and work, I have to say I was rooting for the bear!
1 year ago
MooshooSkinny says:
Hey, I recognize this. Don is an instructor at my alma mater. Hi Don!
1 year ago
thewhimsytrove says:
That was really cool to watch.
1 year ago
GreenCleanToys says:
OMG! LOVE it! Gorgeous work! Thank you so much for sharing your story!
1 year ago
AvianInspirations says:
This is fantastic! And funny coincidence because I am at Utah State right now.
1 year ago
nukilan says:
i love this! thank you for sharing! i really want one of them machines but i don't think i can find them in malaysia anymore. i need to start experimenting first though and this really has me inspired!
1 year ago
BlkSheepProductions says:
Love, love, love it!
1 year ago
tribenouveau says:
love love love
1 year ago
littlebuffalopress says:
Thank you Everyone!! I appreciate so much the kind words, and thanks for stopping by!
1 year ago
WalterSilva says:
Love this...
1 year ago
mentalembellisher says:
Wonderful work, I too get all of a quiver when I am near a letterpress...
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Love the whole process. Wonderful work. Thanks for the video - like the credits at the end - cute.
1 year ago
rasamalai says:
Really nice! I love this kind of inspiring articles :)
1 year ago
pikula says:
Great video! Very inspiring. Love it!
1 year ago
DesiCloe says:
for an illustrator like me it is icredibly interesting this blog feature! This is a very hard and beautiful print process that give to each print a unique tuch. Congratulation!
1 year ago
rakubuttons says:
Ink is so cool. I love the raised feel on the paper. That machine rolls so smooooooth. It's Dreamy! I've only done silk screen and block printing by hand. That looks very luxurious but still a process of patience. Thanks for the look see.
1 year ago
shellsherree says:
Thanks so much for sharing your process, Don. It's wonderful to glean a little about how it works ~ such a beautiful way of printing. All the best!
1 year ago
weatheredsilo says:
Fantastic work -- very inspiring. I've done some block printing and I, too, enjoy the hand-carving process. I especially loved your closing comment "...anything worthwhile and creative is going to exhaust you! It is a good, tired feeling.". Best to you! Cheers, Mandy
1 year ago
polkadotsandblooms says:
I am in awe of the illustrations and the process of printing. Thank you so much for this wonderful feature. Very inspiring!
1 year ago
deelind says:
Really enjoyed that and loved the piece he produced!
1 year ago
ericawalker says:
I really enjoyed this, thank you. It looks like a very gratifying medium.
1 year ago
JaniceCordeiro says:
We owned a printing company for 13 years. Wow, did that bring back memories. Great video.
1 year ago
chia83 says:
This is amazing! So much talent in creating printing blocks from linoleum. I'm just fascinated by the world of letterpress.
1 year ago
FerntreeFlowers says:
Love Love LOVE seeing process videos! Very cool, thanks. :) angie
1 year ago
lalalandArt says:
amazing work and very interesting interview!
1 year ago
amysfunkyfibers says:
I never realized how much work went in to that art!Very nice!
1 year ago
craftylittlecritters says:
Great video and love the history of the machines you have!!
1 year ago
yalipaz says:
Very interesting to see the work process!! Amazing work!!
1 year ago
strawberryluna says:
From one printmaker (me = screenprinting) to another (you = letterpress), super awesome and & beautiful work. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
QuiltFinger says:
WTG Johannes Gutenberg and the Gutenberg press! Still make incredible art centuries later. Great inspiration to breakout the silkscreens and other crafty tools getting dusty around here. Thanks for sharing this charming profile.
1 year ago
frogprincessdesigns says:
very interesting to catch a glimpse of someone's studio! Love printmaking ever since we did it in art class in middle school. It's such a fun art form!
1 year ago
angelarae says:
I've always been fascinated by printmaking and setting your own typeset. This make me want to take a class! Thank you!
1 year ago
elmstreetmarket says:
This is my favorite Storque post ever! I am in love with letterpress and watching this video and reading the article made me a little overwhelmed. The machine roll and its sound are so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing showing us how much work goes into the process.
1 year ago
Slowshirts says:
Is there an ETSY printmaker group? If not we should have one.
1 year ago
TenderLetters says:
This is awesome! Reminds me of the old Sesame Street sequence at the crayon factory! How cool. I'd love to see more features like this, Etsy! <3 xoxo, Gina
1 year ago
PaperPicker says:
wow, what a process. really enjoyed watching the video.
1 year ago
ajalon says:
This was amazing! Thank you so much for that inside look.
1 year ago
BettysBeautyInBeads says:
This is awesome! Love your work, you are an inspiration. I always enjoy seeing people who are truly excited about what they do... as I am, also. It's who we are. :-)
1 year ago
angelicwatrs17 says:
wow, I immediately fell in love with his work!
1 year ago
branchonthebeadtree says:
...and now I know.
1 year ago