“Floral Fauxstage” is entirely printed from handset metal type. Type originally designed in the early 20th century to print decorative borders is arranged to create playful mini-illustrations. Some compositions depict detailed patterns, while others illustrate tiny garden scenes. The delicate metal type was composed with tight registration, and layered in three passes on gummed paper using a Vandercook SP-15 proof press.
Created for Jessica Spring’s September 2022 Printing, By Gum class at Partners in Print, Floral Fauxstage pays whimsical homage to the tradition of postal stamps. Some of the floral-themed stamps show the faux price in “scents,” and others are priced as “forever” stamps.

Letterpress

Laura Bentley