the sycamore q+a {no.40}: Allison Chapman of Igloo Press

When we lived in Columbus, Ohio, I didn't know of any other working letterpress printers around other than the letterpress professor at Ohio State (Bob Tauber). So I was pretty excited when I found out that Allison Chapman of Igloo Press and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts would be moving to town. She's moved into a brand new studio space since we moved away, and from the looks of these photos, it looks awesome. In addition to selling her own line of letterpress paper goods and doing custom printing and binding jobs, Allison also teaches a series of workshops. If you're in the Columbus area, you really should go check out her studio and all she has to offer!


1) How did you become a letterpress printmaker?

I was very lucky that my granddad was a letterpress printer. As he wrote on his business cards, he operated a “private press for pleasure” as a hobby. I grew up helping with projects in his basement print shop and giving historical demonstrations. As a kid I thought I knew everything that he did. It wasn’t until college that I got serious about printmaking and letterpress.

After college I was thrilled to find the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and I worked there for over 10 years. I inherited my granddad’s printing equipment and started to do personal projects and job printing out of my home.

There was a lot of change for our family in 2008. We moved to Ohio and our second child was born. I am so happy that we have been able to settle into this community. I opened a new studio last month and have gotten a great response. I teach classes, have a retail component and complete my own work out of this lovely space.

2) What is inspiring you these days?

I am just loving working full-time in my new studio. This is the first time that I have devoted myself full-time to my own work. It is so satisfying to have an idea and be able to carry it through to completion. Some of the projects that I am working on are things that I have been thinking about for years.

As with any move, I have spent a lot of time going through boxes. I have a lot of print samples going back 40 years to when my granddad started printing. There are so many great pieces that have given me new ideas. I love reprinting the illustrations that I remember from my childhood.

I have always been drawn to 19th century “artistic printing” and I love the new book out by Doug Clouse and Angela Voulangas. As I think about the greeting cards I want to make I am drawing from the Victorian tradition of paper toys. Currently, I am collaborating with Chandler O’Leary of Anagram Press on a line of holiday cards. They have an accordion fold surprise!


3) Tell us about something you've made or done lately.

I am in production on a series of journals with illustrated letterpress covers. They are sold individually or as a set of 4. The best part about buying all 4 is that the spines line up to create an illustration. Chandler also did the illustration for these books and they are just great. I love them.


4) Is there anything else we should know about you?

My whole family is bookish. My husband is a librarian. We have 2 kids and they both have ABC initials.

I love dachshunds, but won’t get another dog until the kids are older.

I like to listen to music from the 1930s and 1940s while I am working. It reminds me of printing with my granddad.


Thanks Allison!

Be sure and check out the Igloo Press webiste: www.iglooletterpress.com
And the Igloo Press Etsy shop: www.igloopress.etsy.com