One of the best decisions I made coming out of college was to work at a print shop. Not one like staples, a real print shop with actual printing presses, saddle stitchers and trimming machines. I learned so much there and one of those people who helped me really understand what a printing press can and can't do was Mikey. Mikey will be retiring soon I am sure and not far down the road, the old printing presses will be a thing of the past, relics lost to time because of the new age printing machines that doesn't need anyone to do much of nothing. I wanted to document Mikey and his two color press he worked wonders on while he is still working and the press was still being used. One day these images will be used as historical references I am sure. Mikey ran everything from 1 color envelopes to 4 color everything. It's amazing how rapidly the printing industry is changing, especially in just the ten years I have been out of college. I feel like these machines will only be used by the dedicated, who really love the craft and really appreciate true quality, it will be like those who still shoot film today. It might be a little more work, a little more costly, but the quality is unmatched.

A good 90% of the inks are made in house based off of a point system and trust me there's is nothing like the smell of fresh ink. I actually miss that smell. I use to love helping Mike mix inks and at one point he taught me how to run envelopes on another press in the shop. Mike has worked the great majority of his adult life as a pressman, it's a skill many will not have anymore. I really hope it's preserved somewhere, some how and not lost to the digital age. I am very grateful I got to experience this, I really wish many of my college piers had the opportunity as I had, because it is the best experience you can get as a graphic designer.

Camera: Nikon D7100
No Filter
No Tripod
Focal Length: 19 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec
Aperture: ƒ/5
ISO: 400