Lisa Krowinski | Sapling Press (Pgh)

Lisa Krowinski, Sapling Press, demonstrating die-cutting on a flywheel press in action.

Yesterday was the second time in 6 months that I have been dumbfounded, in awe in a letterpress workshop (see the article of the first on On The Vine's main blog)... reconfirming yet again that I need to start collecting/building my own. Until then, I am so thrilled to meet local Pgh studio owners who are rocking the craft.

Lisa Krowinski, owner of Sapling Press, is one of those rockstars.

Design Center on Baum Blvd is one of those buildings that I have driven past for years on my way to the East End -- never realizing the treasures that it deceptively contained with several floors below as well as above street level. There are a ton of creative/design firms inside, hence the name Design Center, I suppose.

Similar to the letterpress shop at CMU, you descend two floors by an old-school (slightly creepy yet awesome) stairwell; traveling deep into the underbelly of an industrial bohemoth, where you'll find Sapling Press tucked away in a cool, cave-temp corner of the 3rd Floor (two floors below street level). It makes sense that the consistent environmental conditions of a basement space are ideal for preserving the vintage equipment and prints -- it just strikes me as humorous that each one I visit gives the simultaneous sensation of traveling back in time (1950s) + to a secret hide-away of a mad-scientist's laboratory in Deutchland (think the pub scene in Inglorious Bastards:)

In a sharp contrast to the impersonal, industrial journey leading to Sapling Press, Lisa has done an excellent job of teleporting you to a contemporary, warm + friendly, indie print haven as you enter the studio. As a fellow graphic designer in a past life, Lisa shared her tale of transforming from designer to letterpress enthusiast that began several years ago when she fell in love with the craft after one studio experience, similar to ours for this tour. I've been so inspired by those whose paths parallel my own creative journey of self-discovery and passion. Lisa's led her to collecting, building and owning her own letterpress workshop.



During this hands-on tour, we not only got to see the presses, drills, paper slicers and die-cutters in action, we got to participate in the action by hand-operating the letterpress to print our own valentine's card(s). We then gathered to score, decorate and customize our cards with pieces of paper cut from several different dies (individual shapes as well as custom envelopes with various liner-inserts). Meanwhile, in the process, we had the opportunity to meet + mingle with the amazing fellow creatives  who all participated from various disciplines and interests (artists, designers + crafters).


Sapling Press
Sapling Press' portfolio of work is quite impressive and inspirational as indie-design eye-candy. As both a letterpress shop + design studio, Lisa specializes in stationary, invitations/announcement (baby, wedding, etc.) and custom printing services.

She works with design studios to produce their final client work, with individual designers to fulfill their client requests and with her own individual clients who have an upcoming event or announcement. Lastly (and what most interests me), Lisa also offers studio rental packages for those creatives interested in producing their own work and learning the craft in the process.


Pittsburgh Craft Collective
The tour was organized by Pittsburgh Craft Collective, who I double-heart to no end. I have found instant kinship with almost every member I have met since joining in August. I submit that you cannot find better group of genuinely friendly, authentic, down-to-earth and incredibly talented indie-creatives.

Even if you don't craft, which I didn't seriously when I first joined, they are just an inspiring group to be around. In no time at all, they may get you thinking about how you can be creative in a new realm as I have (my collaboration with my mom via etsy store, me+mom:). 

Membership is incredibly reasonable at $35 and you'll receive discounted/free access to many of their various events, socials like Sunday Crafternoons at Wildcard (where I first met this fantastic group and joined the same day), workshops (wordworking, bookbinding, fiber arts – knitting, crocheting, fused glass, jewelry making, letterpress demonstrations) and vendor shows like I Made It! Market.


Interview with Lisa Krowinski
Full interview details to come shortly...

• Tell us about the story of how you fell in love with letterpress printing and your journey to starting Sapling Press?
• What is your favorite part about being a small biz owner?
• Were there any major roadblocks/obstacles along the way that nearly kept you from following through with your dream?
• What advise would you provide to someone just starting out in letterpress printing and/or in pursing their dream -- what is one thing that you wish you would have known when you were just starting?