The story behind Mostly Flat

I'm a letterpress artist printmaker. I set up Mostly Flat in 2013. My studio in Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire, houses a growing collection of antique and vintage wood and metal type, ornaments, image blocks, two floor-standing cast iron hand-fed presses (one foot-operated, one powered), a range of tabletop platen presses, four flatbed galley proof presses and a Vandercook 4.

My letterpress work often involves a play on words and language, usually with a humorous or playful edge. I'm also fascinated by the endless possibilities of pattern and overprinting. Working with hand-set type and ornaments, I find that the restricted palette provided by a limited set of materials (you can only work with what you've got) drives me to come up with creative solutions that probably wouldn't occur otherwise. Though the tools and materials are traditional, I bring a contemporary sensibility to them which has been filtered through my own experiences in graphic design for the digital realm.

I make prints, posters, ephemera and artists books. I also welcome commissions, designing and printing letterpress stationery, invitations, and special projects to order. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss a possible project.

Wherever possible I choose recycled and FSC certified paper to minimise Mostly Flat's impact on the environment.

The heritage of letterpress printmaking is deeply ingrained in my practice. I'm committed to helping maintain and continue that, not just through my own work, but in sharing and passing it on in turn too. I am a patient and enthusiastic teacher, passionate about showing people of all ages how to print letterpress and experience the history, process and simple joy of this 550 year old craft. I run letterpress workshops at my studio in the summer months. Before Covid arrived, I also used to take my presses out to events, schools, shows and organisations further afield.

I am a member of the British Printing Society and the Oxford Guild of Printers.

Photo by Ashleigh Cadet