Boutique letterpress launch party pulls in big Sydney print buyers

Letterpress is back, judging by the turnout at a launch night of boutique printer The Distillery, with hundreds of guests, including buyers from M&C Saatchi and Pacific Magazines, spilling out onto the street.

More than 320 people attended the launch events held across two nights last week to officially open the firm, which specialises in high-end stationery printed on a 1959 Heidelberg Windmill.

The letterpress facility was overwhelmed by designers and print buyers from such notable companies as M&C Saatchi, Interbrand, Merivale, Random House, Pacific Magazines and Fairfax Media.

The Distillery director Nathan Leong described the launch as “the proudest moment of his life”, where he and the staff members wowed the packed crowd with a live demonstration of the vintage machine.

“The event was a huge success, and we were really able to connect with the creatives and designers who appreciate the tactile qualities of print,” he said.

The company rescued the press, nicknamed ‘Wolfgang’, from defunct Chippendale Press’ liquidation auction last year where it was likely to be sold for scrap metal.

In recent months, The Distillery restored the machine to its original working order and has been producing high-end print work for design agencies and consumers from the wedding industry.

Leong added that the company was already seeking larger premises and another printing press, due to the overwhelming demand for work from new customers.

Guests to the event were given a valuable sample pack, packed with beautifully ornate stationary and printed “treats”.

The article first appeared in ProPrint

The owner of “The Distillery” is a good friend of our company, and if any of our clients would like a quote for letterpress work, please let us know.