June Blogging Challenge Day 17

A learning experience that you're grateful for?

Back in the old days when I was young and healthy, I had the opportunity to work in an old style print shop for about a month and a half. I learned a lot about the old ways of printing. I learned how to make a printing plate, and how to set type in the press. The type setter that was used was over 100 years old at the time. The one press was the oldest working cylinder bed press in Canada. I hate the fact that the people that took over the place when it was sold, got rid of that historic press for scrap - it was one of a kind. The press was used to print an underground news paper of sorts that pushed back against the local government.

There was also a set of  Learning experience that you're grateful for? There was also a set of platen presses there used for smaller jobs and to cut things like cards out of the paper it was printed on.

I learned to use a machine that trimmed the edges off of printed sheets and to cut out the individual items in bulk. This one was a bit dangerous, as it had the ability to cut your hand off if you messed up.

I learned how book binding was done in the old days. Also how to make buttons (with stuff printed on them) the old way. There was the rubber stamps as well - that was particularly fun to learn how to make. Not to mention how to clean the type after it was used in the press and to melt it down to use the led again.

There is no other place for a long distance around me that I could have learned this stuff. It was like being in a working museum. I cherish the days I spent at that old press shop.