Harris Mandolin Making: Printing Labels

[Troy Harris]

I printed my mandolin labels on a Chandler and Price platen printing press from the late 1800s.

[Troy Harris]

The registration and packing is important for the proper location and impression of the print.

[Troy Harris]

The paper is hand-fed for each print.

[Troy Harris]

Printed labels lay out to dry.

[Troy Harris]

Each label is die cut on the press. Once again the registration is super important and each print is hand-fed to the cutter.

[Troy Harris]

Finished labels.

[Marty Jacobson]

OK, now you're just being mean.

[DHopkins]

I learned printing on one of those!! It was a small shop (obviously). Once you get the hang of it, those C&P presses can put out some fantastic work. I learned typesetting using a California Job Case. That press looks like it's in immaculate condition.

[Hal Jeanes]

Troy Harris is an artist. Go to his website, look at his mandolins and you will see for yourself.

[G7MOF]

That's a lot of labels. How many Mandolins do you make in a year?

[Troy Harris]

Thank you Hal. The work is in making the plate and setting up the press, so it makes sense to print a lifetime supply. I chose to learn and print the labels myself, but if you’re interested, you can have plates made at Boxcar Press and printed at a small letterpress printing company. Wishbone Letterpress is a company I’d recommend.

[pops1]

I learned to print on a press like that back in the 60's, spent many years smelling printers ink. Memories

[bbaker2050]

Wow.....those Harris mandolins are freaking beautiful.....maybe one day......

[theCOOP]

At Sherbrooke Village in Nova Scotia, Canada: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wFJzCRGzLI0

[Timbofood]

My dad had one of those presses in the garage, he made "sick call" cards for Priests. He called the business "The Priest Pocket Press", someone gave him the press, he had the plates made and did maybe three runs. I was only about five but, I remember the smell and sound.
Very cool pics!

[Steevarino]

Be Careful Driving Elephants In Small Foreign Garages.

See! I used to know the whole California Job Case, but that was many years ago.