Before modern printing methods were invented, text was printed using a machine called a letterpress. Metal letter alphabets are kept in cases in a chest of draws, and you select which letters you need and arrange them in a frame.
Since this was an induction lesson we were working in partners. We were given the task of selecting our initials from the cases and arrange them into a design. This proved rather difficult since you have to use 'furniture' and wedges / locks to keep the letters in place and we spent a rather long time trying to figure a way of making an interesting arrangement that would stay in the frame!
Eventually I found a way of keeping the letters in place (which wasn't very effective but it did the job XD). I had the idea of using a gradient when applying the ink so I went ahead with this. For letterpress you use oil based ink since they are on a wooden base and using water to clean them can cause damage over time which is bad since the letters are no longer produced and one tray costs around £500+! Anyway, we clamped paper into the machine then used the handle to roll the drum over our frame and press the ink onto the paper. and that's it! Quite a simple process the there's lots you can play around with such as layering, various fonts and scale.
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