Going to Press – The Director’s Cut…

The Musee Atelier de L’Imprimerie is a working print shop and museum in Nantes.

Their brochure begins with “Writing and graphic production are undoubtedly as old as the world. It is a part of this long chain of cumulative knowledge that invites you to follow the MAI on a journey punctuated with enriching discoveries for an unforgettable and unique visit of its kind… Before your eyes, machines melt lines of text, others print them, including an imposing nine-ton press. We also discover prints on stone, copper and lead because all the materials presented work in front of the public to awaken ‘the Beauty in Lead’ tat was the printing press from the 15th to the 20th century.”

The entryway is lined with glass cases showing pigments, and embossing tools used to apply gold leaf to leather bindings.

My favorite collection were these ornate typefaces:

I then walked into the main room which is full of presses, about a third of which were being actively used. The first press might be a platen press, used to press the paper against a flat inked form. It was how letterpress printing was originally done.

This one’s a monotype. First patented in 1887 by Tolbert Lanston, an American lawyer. It was presented at the Great Exhibition in France in 1900.

This is a cylinder press, used to print large sheets like newspapers and posters.

An intaglio print press – the printing is done from ink that is below the surface of the plate. The printing ink is rubbed into the incisions and the surface is wiped clean. Unlike surface printing, intaglio printing requires considerable pressure.

I was surprised to find a display case devoted to Braille printing.

At one end of the floor I found the paper cutter of my dreams, and a book press.

I watched an engraver at work on a plate, and another printer running a series of cards on what I think was a lithograph, though I didn’t take photos of either one, out of respect for the printers. Admission is good for the entire day, and the staff do regular demonstrations. It’s well worth checking out if you are ever in Nantes.