They purr and meow, they breathe and pulse… When le typographe’s typographic presses wake up, the craftsmen get in tune. They watch over their animals and anticipate their moods. Presses are le typographe’s soul and beating heart.
Jean, 64, worked at le typographe for 8 years as a typographer. Now retired, he has not yet decided to leave letterpress completely!
What does the job of typographic driver involve?
This job consists of ensuring that letterpress printing runs smoothly. The driver prepares the machine, feeds the machine with paper, monitors that the settings do not change, ensures that the pressure is correct and that the inkwell is always full. And of course, it also checks the quality of the print at output. However, listening to the machine, its clicking and breathing is just as important. In fact it is a very auditory profession, which requires a lot of concentration. By ear, you can tell if everything is going well!
Is this a job you love?
Yes, that’s why I couldn’t leave him completely! I come back to le typographe from time to time to help in the workshop, and answer any questions. Pass on my experience.
What is your field of study ?
I am a trained typographer. I learned the trade in the early 70s on pedal-operated typographic presses, the same system as on old sewing machines. The movement of the pedal drove a belt. You had to stay standing in front of the machine, keep the rhythm with your foot, and simultaneously you had to position the sheet of paper then retrieve it when it came out… It was a whole body coordination effort!
How did you get to le typographe?
I started as a typograher (but not for le typographe!) at the end of the 70s. But little by little, the letterpress printing presses were replaced by “offset” machines. So I took up training to be able to continue working in the printing industry. These “offset” machines allow printing to be done much faster, and on larger volumes. They also require fewer people to operate them. But the rendering of offset printing is of course not as beautiful, fine and delicate! At le typographe, we continue to work on old machines, putting quality first.
And 8 years ago, you return to your first love…
8 years ago, a friend told me that a printing company (le typographe) was looking for a typographer. I could not believe it! I was able to return to my original profession, the one that had always fascinated me.
What are the different typography presses used by le typographe?
We work on “pedal typographic presses”, but which have been automated using a small motor. These machines date from the early 1960s. This so-called “Heidelberg platen” press consists of a platen press and an automatic feeder. This is what we call a white machine: it only prints one side of the sheet and in one color at a time.
We also have a very large cylinder machine from 1953.
Our machines remain truly artisanal: they absolutely need a specialized person to operate them. All le typographe’s prints (notebook covers, notepad backs, printed interiors…) are all printed on these machines, the old-fashioned way. This is quite unique in the world of stationery.
What happens when a breakdown occurs?
Breakdowns are very rare! And fortunately because the only time in 20 years that I broke a part, it took 2 technicians to find where the fault was coming from then a day to dismantle the whole machine and make the repair. They are very reliable machines. You simply have to take care of them, maintain them, clean them every day.
Have you noticed an evolution in user demand?
Yes, tastes change, but also needs… For example, when I started in the profession, I had to print with as little pressure as possible, so as not to distort the paper. Today, it’s the opposite. Customers prefer to have relief on the paper because it shows the handmade quality of the work. Letterpress printing has become very rare. People who want a support printed using this technique are looking for the artisanal, handmade side… They want an exceptional product!
Are you proud of what you do?
Yes, like all people who do a good job. And when I have a beautiful invitation in my hands, I feel real satisfaction and maybe even a little pride!