Mediocre Press
A one-woman studio based in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs that is dedicated to preserving traditional letterpress printing techniques and sustainable materials.
Tucked away in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Mediocre Press is a one-woman studio keeping the beautiful, hands-on tradition of letterpress printing alive.
Run by Beth, the studio is dedicated to traditional letterpress techniques, using vintage Chandler & Price printing presses, wood and lead type, and original ornaments and cuts. Each letter is set by hand, each sheet of paper is individually fed through the press, and oil-based inks are used to create the distinctive tactile impression that makes letterpress so special.
Mediocre Press takes just as much care with its materials as it does with its printing process. Paper stocks are selected not only for their ability to take a crisp, satisfying ‘kiss’ impression, but also with environmental considerations in mind. Even the studio’s occasional use of linocuts and 3D-printed blocks is guided by a simple philosophy: make something that can be reused rather than creating unnecessary waste.
There’s something wonderfully meditative about the rhythm of setting type, inking the press and feeding each sheet by hand, a welcome escape from her day job in IT, and a chance to work with machinery, materials and techniques that have been around for generations.
Be sure to stop by Mediocre Press and discover what happens when old presses and old type are given a fresh lease on life.
mediocrepress.com.au
Instagram: @mediocrepress
