Typesetting

Typesetting by hand is a slow process, often peppered with an ever-unfolding troublesome cast of characters. It requires full attention every step of the way, and it was for this reason that I began pursuing letterpress in 1998: to see each letter, understand how it relates to its neighbors, and to focus on the finest of details until it looks just right.

Presses

Colt’s Armory Platen Press

The main trusty printing steed at Amada Press is a 13×19″ Colt’s Armory; it’s a reliable motorized press that prints with a 90° parallel impression and has been laying down ink nice and smooth for over 100 years.

Prior to its current Seattle home, it lived in the Skagit Valley, printing fine press books & poetry broadsides for Amy’s beloved mentors at Stern & Faye, Printers — and has a long lineage of talented press operators on its dance card. Today it prints everything from coasters to posters, including short prose & poetry.

Vandercook 4

This silver fox of a press turned 60 years old in 2017. It’s a Pacific Northwest native, originally purchased new by Queen City Typesetting in Seattle. It also came to me by way of Stern & Faye Printers, although Jules Faye and I are unclear of where it lived prior to landing in Chris Stern’s caring hands.

Classes & Workshops

Want to learn letterpress printing?

Then you’re gonna be in good company. Amy has been teaching design, typography and letterpress printing classes in Seattle for Partners in Print and the School of Visual Concepts since 2003.

In 2020 she helped evolve the SVC letterpress program into Partners in Print: a non-profit, community-focused arts organization that uses letterpress printing as a way to bring people together, amplify new voices, share knowledge, and spark creativity.

To stay up to date on PiP’s in-person and online letterpress classes, events, and community programming, join PiP’s mailing list.

News & Events

07.01.20 – 09.30.20 :: GALLERY EXHIBITION

New Impressions
(Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum / Two Rivers, WI)

Juried, international exhibition of contemporary letterpress printing (2017–2020).

06.10.20 – 07.10.20 :: GALLERY EXHIBITION

Northwest Fine Arts Competition
(Phinney Center Gallery / Seattle, WA)

Juried exhibition of visual works created by 20 Seattle-based emerging artists.

05.23.20 :: livestream video broadcast

Amada Press Studio Tour
United in Isolation: Online Letterpress Festival (S1 E6)

Amada Press was one of four letterpress studios featured in this live stream broadcast of United in Isolation: An Online Letterpress festival. Countries represented in this 6th episode include Scotland, Pakistan, Uruguay and the United States.  {Watch Video}

03.26.20 :: interview

The Tiny Typecast: Amy Redmond & Jenny Wilkson
(The Tiny Typecast Podcast/ Glenn Fleishman)

Seattle’s vibrant community of printers keep letterpress traditions alive while also stoking the fires of a new generation and trying new kinds of printing, mixing different techniques onto the press, and new methods of making material for press, like laser cutters.  {Listen}

03.06.20 – 03.21.20 :: GALLERY EXHIBITION

Ink Matters
(Kokomo Downtown Art Gallery / Kokomo, IN)

Juried exhibition of contemporary American printmaking (2018–2020).

2018 highlight :: book release

UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration, Volume P: Print / Maker

I’m honored that Amada Press is featured alongside some of my favorite letterpress contemporaries in Print / Maker. The book profiles designers, artists and craftspeople who use printmaking and print technology to make things for themselves and others. It includes in-depth interviews with printers, stationers, publishers, zine-makers, homeware and clothing designers through studio pictures, portfolios and sound advice from print/makers from around the world. Published October 2018 by Uppercase Magazine. {Order the book.} 


PAST EVENTS

Exhibitions, Publications & Speaking Engagements

An incomplete archive of gallery shows, articles, & talks related to my letterpress artwork.  {View archive}