We get a lot of questions from viewers about how we get ready to print in our print shop exhibit at the Sacramento History Museum. Well, today is a great day to cover that because September 21st is National Get Ready Day!

For today, we are showing every step of the letterpress printing process. The video begins with Howard entering the shop and putting on his apron and sleeve protectors. Then we move onto Howard rolling out black rubber base ink on the ink stone. This is done to create an even layer of ink on the stone and brayer. The remaining ink at the top of the stone will gradually be rolled out throughout the day as we’re printing.

The next step shown is setting type from the type case and then Howard sets the type on the bed of the press. He arranges furniture and quoins to lock the type up in the metal frame called the chase.

Howard then proceeds to letterpress printing the words “Get Ready Day,” which was set in 30 point Caslon font. This was printed with black rubber base ink using is our Washington hand press, which was manufactured in 1852.

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