Power & Light Press

One of the beautiful cards in the September collection is from Power and Light Press. We asked the owner, Kyle Durrie, to tell us a little bit more about her business.

• Where did the name of your studio come from?

  I'm really into the idea of printing as being this very democratic process - the ability to produce multiples inherently makes printmaking more utilitarian and accessible, and less precious than "fine art".  I was kind of breaking up with fine art when I got into letterpress, and this was one of my favorite parts of my new craft.  And so, I named by studio Power and Light Press, after so many of the old timey utility companies from the previous century.

• Who is on your team, and how did you come together?

  Since opening shop in 2009, Power and Light Press has always been just me, though I now have a wonderful part time assistant, Stacey, who helps out with printing, packaging, and filling orders.  She contacted me shortly after I had moved to NM, as she was hoping to move back to the same small town as me (she had lived here about 10 years ago).  She has a printmaking background and was curious to learn more about letterpress.  The timing was perfect, and she's been a great addition to the shop.  I also have a rotating cast of friends who chip in a few hours here and there, mostly helping with packaging cards.  Because that is a never-ending task.

• How did you get into design and letterpress printing?

  I have a fine art background, but had no letterpress or design experience when I signed up for my first letterpress class back in 2006. I was immediately hooked, and spent the next 3 years taking workshops and apprenticing other printers to get my skills up.  When I decided to start my own shop in 2009, I still had a lot to learn (particularly in the design department) but wanted to figure out the rest on my own.

• Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

  Everywhere, and nowhere.  Always.  I am inspired by really random things, so I always keep a sketchbook on me.  I'm not a person who is constantly sketching or doodling or writing, but I do take lots of notes... and those notes often turn into new work further down the road.

• What kind of press(es) do you use?

  I print primarily on Chandler & Price platen presses from the early 20th century.  I have three platen presses - two 10x15 presses from 1918 and 1923, and one 12x18 from 1926.  I also have a Showcard sign press (c. 1960) that I use for posters, and have a Heidelberg windmill (from the 1960s) on it's way to my shop this fall.

• Which press was used to print the Nicely Noted cards?

  I printed the You Are Magnetic cards on my trusty 12x18 Chandler & Price - my main workhorse.

Featured In These Collections:

Magnetic