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Filed under: apple

LetterMpress: A brief review

screenshots of LetterMPress in use

Being able to see an app gain so much success from Kickstarter is always lovely, especially ones you follow and supported!

LetterMpress is a wonderful app, a brainchild of John Bonadies, this app provides a virtual workshop for printmakers / print enthusiasts / digital lovers / all of the aforementioned. Letterpress is gaining interest by many for the nostalgia factor, but may not necessarily be able to gain access to a letterpress, nor will some be able to understand the processes that were involved. The purpose of LetterMpress does just that; it crosses the boundaries and allows users to interact with their digital devices, whilst learning and understanding the processes that are involved in printmaking.

The LetterMpress's interface allows you to set a variety of typefaces (yes, including dingbats, woo!) on the galley and set furnitures and lock-ups, which you can save your composition for later or to create a new one  – by also providing different types of paper and inks in the 'Print' mode, you can experiment and test the effects of prints on different types of paper stock, resolution and so forth. There is also an option that allows you to save to Photo Album, enabling you to print your masterpieces at the end.

There are a few kinks that could be ironed out to improve the overall experience:

  • Providing tutorials or a brief Beginner's Guide for those that have never done letterpress before to understand the purpose and difference between lock-ups and furnitures
  • Small bug on resizing furnitures; can sometimes override other furnitures and moves the entire composition
  • Undo button – for small bugs such as the one mentioned above!

Overall though, it's a darn fun app that will entertain you for hours on end whilst learning about printmaking. You can find out more about LetterMpress on their website, and the app is available on the App Store for £3.99.