About

I’m a Printmaker fresh out of an MFA program, trying to figure out what I’m doing next. Flying Seal Press is a one-woman, two-cat operation now based in Chicago, IL.

I started Flying Seal Press to make the kinds of cards I wanted to send. Cards that would show you cared about the recipient even before they read your message. Cards that were quirky and beautiful and worth saving.

In an effort to reduce my ecological impact, I use recycled paper and envelopes, making sure that they’re at least partially post-consumer waste.

Letterpress printing itself is pretty low-impact, as the press is entirely me-powered. The letterpress plates I use are a relatively new type of material known as photo-polymer, which uses a photo-sensitive process to print plates from computer image files. These plates are safer than traditional copper or magnesium letterpress plates and better for the environment. The photo-polymer plates can also be recycled when they’re done being used.

The ink is oil-based, but the oil in question is linseed oil, which is a traditional base for ink and oil paint. I do not currently use soy ink, as I do not feel it is significantly safer or better for the environment than linseed oil. I do not use any mineral solvents during printing or clean up.