Some stories begin with a chance meeting. Ours began in the fall of 1984 in Winnipeg, where we met as students in a graphic arts program. Standing quietly in the corner of the classroom was a Heidelberg Platen printing press. Little did we know it would turn out to be the very same type of press we use today.
Even then, it was becoming a relic of another era, as the printing industry embraced newer technologies. While many companies were moving toward offset printing, we were fortunate to also learn the craft of letterpress printing firsthand.
What is letterpress printing?
People often ask what letterpress printing actually is. Traditionally, every printed page began with a printer carefully arranging individual pieces of type by hand before locking them into a form for printing. From cherished wedding invitations and greeting cards to well-worn books, letterpress once brought nearly every printed word to life.
“When the press is running, it produces a steady, rhythmic swooshing sound that is almost melodic”
It had never occurred to us to own a vintage press. After graduation, we launched ourselves into the printing industry and spent the next 30 years working with several firms in Vancouver. It wasn’t until after we’d raised our family that we found ourselves longing for a slower pace. We were drawn to Vancouver Island, where we had spent many summers enjoying the outdoors. Before long, a simple idea began to take hold: maybe we could build something of our own.
Finding a 1967 Heidelberg Windmill
Soon, we found ourselves searching for a vintage press just like the one that had brought us together all those years ago. Eventually, we found a 1967 Heidelberg Platen. The Heidelberg is affectionately known as a ‘Windmill’ because of the way its gripper arms rotate, resembling the blades of a Dutch windmill. It is a beautiful piece of engineering and a joy to watch in motion. When the press is running, it produces a steady, rhythmic swooshing sound that is almost melodic.
Though the type has changed, the craft remains much the same. Today we use modern photopolymer plates created from our original designs; ink is applied to a raised surface, and that image is then pressed into paper. We print on soft cotton paper, allowing the design to leave a deep impression that can be seen and felt. That tactile quality is what makes letterpress so different from digital printing.
Every colour is hand mixed. Every sheet is individually fed through the press. Every card passes through our hands multiple times before it is finished. There is a warmth and character to the process that we believe people can feel when they hold one of our cards.
In a world where so much is produced instantly and electronically, letterpress asks us to slow down.
Our designs are inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds us and our goal is to create cards that people enjoy both sending and receiving. One of our favourite parts of the process comes after a design is complete, when we begin mixing colours and deciding how best to bring it to life on paper.
There is something especially rewarding about hearing how people respond to our work. We love knowing that a card helped someone celebrate a milestone, send encouragement, or stay connected with a loved one. And when someone tells us they have framed one of our cards, we take it as the highest compliment.
Looking back, it feels fitting that the press that sat quietly in our classroom all those years ago is now at the heart of Freebird Letterpress. It has connected our past with our present and reminds us every day why we fell in love with printing in the first place. We like to think that every card leaving our studio carries a little piece of that story with it.
