Rozemarijn Oudejans veteran

How long have you been printing?

2003

Describe your first encounter with letterpress

During my graphic design study at ArtEZ Arnhem Art Academy we got an assignment to design and print a calendar page using lead type. This was the first time I ever saw and used letterpress and I fell in love immediately.

Where did you learn?

Shortly after, I moved to Canada and I started taking printing courses at the Ottawa School of Art. They also had a proofing press there so that's where I learned to print.

Who was your most influential teacher?

I've had and have several great teachers: Rob Hinchley, Ad van der Kouwe, Harrie Schalken, Thomas Gravemaker, Jan-Willem van der Looij. Where are the women, now that I come to think of it?!

What super power would you like to have?

I would like to be able to manipulate time, so I could make a day have 50 hours.

Do you prefer to work alone or with others?

When I need to really concentrate on my work I prefer it to be quiet and work alone. But I also like to work together with other printers, inspire each other, learn new tricks or just sit together and talk about everything letterpress.

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty

When do your best ideas occur to you?

The last few minutes before I fall asleep and the first half hour after I wake up.

If you were to die and come back as a typeface, which would it be?

Clarendon! A beautiful slab serif with nice curves and a firm base.

What tool do you use more often than any other?

My hands

What books are currently on your nightstand?

True Print by Dafi Kühne

If you could study with any printer throughout history, who would it be?

Would love to be there the moment Johannes Gutenberg dropped a wooden letter in the sand and invented letterpress.

If you have your own shop, what equipment do you own?

A Vandercook proofing press, a Hohner platen press, an etching press, a small tabletop proofing press, a paper cutter and lots of wood and lead type.

If you could change one thing about your shop, what would it be?

The space is perfect, but a cheaper rent would be nice.

When and where are you the happiest?

In my printshop, mixing ink, with funky music playing.

What is your greatest fear/worry?

That I cut off my fingers in my paper cutter.

What do you think is useful about what you make?

I hope my work inspires others and makes people think or smile.

What’s your day job?

Graphic designer

Do you use any other techniques or media besides letterpress?

Linocut, woodcut, etching, drypoint, polymer print