Factory Friday: Hunter Press

As part of our ongoing Factory Friday series, we are delving into the stories behind some of the Scottish Manufacturers on the Make Works Directory. This week, we've interviewed Lyndsey Hunter who runs Hunter Press, a letterpress studio based just outside Edinburgh offering letterpress, die-cutting, foiling, printing and finishing.

How did you get into Letterpress printing?

I think it was mostly a desire to be more hands on in my design work.  My background is in both sculpture and digital arts and sitting in front of a computer day in day out was becoming less appealing. The whole letterpress direction was a bit of chance really. I was lucky enough to stumble on an old Heidelberg printing press and an impulsive purchase led to me jumping in head first. That was just over 3 years ago now.

After purchasing the first press I spent a full year getting to know the printing process, meeting with with other printers and learning as much as I possibly could.  I’m still learning every day but I love the challenge.  

What are the projects that you've worked on over the years that you've really enjoyed?

Our wholesale stationery line is in the development stages at the moment and has been very enjoyable to work on.  

I absolutely love collaborating with other small businesses and have been lucky enough to work with a variety of fantastic Scottish companies. Be it developing branding ideas or helping to turn ideas into products, it’s a very rewarding part of the job.  The Hunter Press is still young so I’m looking forward to seeing what projects and opportunities arise in the future.

What do you see changing in the print industry over the coming years?

Digital is always written to be the future of printing but there is an increasing interest in traditional print methods and appreciation for the craft of print. I think letterpress will always remain a ‘luxury’ product in the world of print but one that more and more people are recognising and turning to for that marketing ‘edge’. There are some fantastic collaborations happening at the moment with modern technologies such as 3D printing and more traditional print practices, which is exciting to see.  

What's the most challenging thing about running your own letterpress studio?

I think the biggest challenge has been juggling everything.  s a sole trader, you have to take on every role - printer, accountant, sales, designer, marketing team, admin, press engineer... it’s definitely a daily challenge.

What advice do you have for emerging makers, designers and manufacturers?

Develop as many professional connections as you can early on and take time to maintain those relationships. There is a huge maker community out there full of advice and support.

You can find out more about Lyndsey's letterpress services using The Hunter Press' Make Works listing here

Interested in print and graphics production? Read our blog: Standout Packaging Designs from Scotland and beyond