Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » sneak peek: dutch door press {studio}

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in 2006, friends mara murphy (an experienced letterpress printer and lifelong stationery connoisseur) and anna branning (an illustrator and letterpress printer) decided to team up their individual and complimentary talents by launching a unique letterpress line based on their mutual love of pattern, nature, and vivid colors. dutch door press is based in the lower level of a victorian house (with a dutch door), just steps away from san francisco’s haight-ashbury district. their line ranges from birth announcements to wedding invitations, personal stationery, greeting cards and limited edition prints, blending modern design with patterns and icons inspired by the traditional folk art of northern europe. i love how today’s sneak peek into their studio shows integrates their folk iconography and little touches in a liveable (well, workable) space. click HERE for the rest of the peek (and additional images) and stay tuned for two sneak peeks into their wonderful homes. thanks mara and anna! -anne

[above: the entrance to our studio, a dutch door. ]

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This is our Vandercook Simple Precision 15 Proofing Press from circa 1950. It doesn’t have a motor- so we use a hand crank to distribute the ink on the rollers. This is the press that we print our large scale limited edition prints and many of our wedding invitations on.

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our little vintage couch with several of our prints framed above it.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the peek after the jump…

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Our colorful cards and envelopes are on display in this built-in shelving unit. When we founded our press, Mara went on a ebay frenzy searching for all things Dutch. These figurines were the result.

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Dutch clogs and tulips.

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The table where we meet with our clients if they are able to come to our studio.

I love the idea that setting up a studio is an excellent excuse for an ebay splurge on all things dutch. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone designed their workspace with such joie de vivre. (I’m looking round my own workspace where the main motif is cardboard boxes and resolving to do better. After all, I spend at least 8 hours a day here…)

Oh, the presses! I am drooling over the Vandercook. I have never actually seen one with the motor or self-inking mechanism in working order. The ones I’ve worked on have all required hand cranking & rolling out the ink.

I am also a nederlandse meisje (dutch girl) and my first etsy purchase was from Dutch Door … so it’s a thrill to see inside their studio and home. I understand a bit more about who made my lovely tulip print and what their life looks like. Thanks DS.

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