Blog

UPDATE: This press is no longer available for sale. 

Thirteen years ago on a warm August day, I drove around western Massachusetts in a rental truck picking up three presses: one Vandercook proofing press and two Chandler & Price platen presses. It was a long day of driving, but I managed to transport all three machines safely to my studio on the Cape where we proceeded to spend a lot of time together. This was the beginning of Smudge Ink.

Since then, all of our presses served a distinct purpose in helping us build our ever growing product line. We introduced a few Heidelbergs to the Smudge Ink family six years ago and this has made a huge impact in our production efficiencies. Because of this, one of our Chandler & Price's is rarely used and so we've decided to find it a new home. We know there is someone out there who will love this beautiful hunk of metal as much as we have.

Interested or know anyone who is? Check out more details below. You can also see the listing here.

Chandler & Price 10 x 15 platen press
In good working order
Comes with adjustable speed motor
Rollers are older, but in good condition and print well

Read more

I was very excited when Emily started working on her line of charming letterpress notepads. They’ve been a popular product ever since they landed in our shop, and not surprisingly, we all proudly display them on our desks here at the studio as well as at home. I’ve had to replenish my notepads quite a few times already. See below for some ways we’ve enjoyed using them.

(image: gift message)

The combination of E.B. Goodale’s illustrations and the one-of-a-kind nature of letterpress makes the notepads feel extra special. I often use a sheet to write a message in lieu of a card when sending gifts. I am loving the little black bear these days.

(image: to-do list)

Kate is an avid listmaker. Y'know the kind that need to write it down afterwards just so they can check it off? Yes, that kind! She's been keeping these notepads close by so she can stay on top of the big priorities for the week.

(image: lunch note)

Deb stocks her kitchen with a notepad or two. They're handy for jotting down recipe notes and grocery lists. But she especially likes to use them to write lunch notes to her girls. She never misses a day!

What's your favorite way to use our letterpress notepads? We'd love to know!

Read more

(image from left to right: Deb and Clayton at the Boston Half Marathon; Sarah and Nathan at the Cambridge Oktoberfest 5K)

In between apple picking and getting ready for Halloween (have you downloaded your You’ve Been Boo-ed printable yet?), there’s been a fair amount of running happening this month. Both Sarah and Nathan ran the Oktoberfest 5K in Cambridge followed by Deb and Clayton’s impressive finishes at the Boston Half Marathon. Now I know you must be thinking who dressed up in lederhosen, were there any injuries sustained, how did Clayton compensate for air resistance from his hair …? Read on to find out!

(image: Clayton is ahead of the pack!)

CLAYTON
After running an uncomfortably humid half marathon in Portland this summer, I thought I would be done for a while. But thanks to some arm twisting by Jen, Mike, and Deb, I found myself signing up for the BAA Half too (oooohhh, peer pressure). What began as a dizzying race to the start—workouts in between rock climbing and volleyball, a last minute bike tire change the night before, and a day-of arrival with literally only a minute to spare—ended in a magical race to the finish! It was a quintessentially New England fall day complete with breathtaking foliage and flannel-wearing bystanders. I felt like I had my own personal cheering section with Sarah and Nathan at nearly every three mile checkpoint. They truly gave me a burst of energy every time I saw their sunshiny faces! Towards the end of the race, though my legs were feeling sluggish, a blaring Mumford and Sons song at mile 12 gave me the opportunity to haphazardly lip sync along the remainder of the run. I finished 2 minutes shy of my goal time, but I can't complain, I got a PR (personal record)! The day ended on a great note for everyone it seemed! Turns out Deb didn't pull her calf and my friends Jen and Mike are even talking about signing up for other runs! So proud of everyone! Yay, running!

(image: Avery and Abigail cheer go, Mom!)

DEB
Technically speaking, I ran the BAA Half Marathon last weekend. While Clayton ran his PR, I ran my PW (personal worst!). But surprisingly, I’m okay with it. I must be losing my competitive edge (or maturing). The backstory is I was running on a bum calf, which means that two weeks prior to the race, I pulled my left calf muscle during a long(ish) run and had to stop “training” altogether if I had any chance of getting through 13 miles. I did my best to hydrate and heal, and I showed up at 8AM on race day, only then realizing that this may be a terrible idea. I thought I was done at mile 2 when the soreness started creeping in. But while I was legitimately uncomfortable for the rest of the run my calf never fully popped. Yahoo! This may have been due to the "controlled" pace, the stopping-and-stretching at every mile marker, or just being well hydrated for the event. Whatever the case, I made it through and finished. Despite it being my PW, there were still so many highpoints: seeing my husband and girls at miles 9 and 11 and seeing Sarah & Nathan at mile 1, and then again at mile 13, where they were joined by Clayton - now a spectator (thanks, guys!); the incredible weather; congratulating Clayton on his PR (holy impressive!); and being among the running community—all hopped up as they are on bananas and endorphins—it’s a good crowd. Next up: physical therapy!

(image: Sarah's winning smile)

SARAH
The Oktoberfest 5K was my first road race, and it was a blast! The weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold—and the crowd showed up in an amusing array of Oktoberfest-inspired gear. Nathan proved to be a most excellent running buddy, providing the perfect mix of chatty companionship and inspiration along the way. I was hoping to finish the race at around the 30-minute mark so my 29:32 net time was a perfect first outing. After the race, there was a party for runners where we were treated to delicious German food and cider from local companies. I'm already looking forward to the WGBH 5K as well as the Yulefest! Thanks to Clayton and Deb, our personal cheering leaders/paparazzi along the way! Seeing friendly and familiar faces along the route made the experience that much more enjoyable, and I was happy to return the favor at the BAA Half Marathon. A special thanks to 32 for driving up from Long Island in the wee hours of the morning to make it in time for the race!

(image: Nathan and Sarah cross the finish line.)

NATHAN
Pre-race: I say to Sarah we forgot our lederhosen; I think it makes you run faster, especially in the Oktoberfest! There are plenty to go around, some great outfits: lots of suspenders and feathers in caps. I think Sarah is such a big fan of Germany and its World Cup glory that she doesn't need to pretend by dressing up.
0 km: The starting gun is fired, but we are packed in behind a few hundred other runners; we eventually cross the start two minutes into the race. Rounding the first corner, Clayton surprises us by jumping out from behind the small tree where he was taking cover and running along beside us cheering and getting our picture.
2 km: Has this street always had a very gradual uphill? I've never noticed until trying to run it. Good news is, should be mostly downhill on the route back.
3 km: Sarah says to go on ahead if I need to (with my long legs). I tell her that if she wasn't running next to me, I would have stopped at the café we passed ten minutes ago.
4 km: We see more friendly faces, with Deb and her family cheering from the sidewalk! Makes it so much better. Deb told her two girls to keep a look out for the really tall guy and Sarah.
5 km: Cross the finish! We are in the middle of the pack, but Sarah beat her pace, and I accomplished my goal of running the whole way. Best part of an Oktoberfest race—the post-race beer garden and pretzels!

(image: Jacob Wirth's pretzels at the finish were worth the run!) 

Read more

Calling all Bostonites! Mark your calendars in big bold permanent marker for Smudge Ink's Holiday Sip and Shop. Join us on Thursday, November 5 from 5pm to 9pm. Our studio is located at 50 Terminal Street in Charlestown. Directions here. 

Get a head start on your holiday shopping for everyone on your list with some of our favorite local makers and artisans. The lineup includes: 

You'll also enjoy an evening of live music by the Fine & Dandy Trio, DIY letterpress, calligraphy by Leveret & Hare, yummy food from Whole Foods Market Charlestown, and craft cider by Downeast Cider House. To top it off, we will be donating part of the proceeds to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Charlestown. We hope to see you there!

Email us at info@smudgeink.mom with any questions.

Read more

Have you ever been Boo-ed before? None of us had even heard about this until last October when Deb and her girls (who had just moved to a new hood) found an unexpected bundle of fun Halloween treats on their doorstep.

The tradition of Boo-ing is sort of like having a Secret Santa (or Secret Ghoul?). You surprise your neighbors and friends with a goody bag or basket that is anonymous and they in turn keep it going. Seeing how much the kids enjoy guessing who Boo-ed them and continuing the game, we designed free printable signs and tags that you’ll want to be sure to include in your secret delivery.

Download and print “You’ve Been Boo-ed” tags. These provide instructions on what to do now that it’s your turn to Boo.

Download and print “We’ve Been Boo-ed” sign. You’ll also want to include a “We’ve Been Boo-ed” sign that the family can put up on their window or door. This way people only deliver treats to those homes that haven't been surprised yet.

So what are you waiting for? BOO it forward!

Read more