An Engraved and Printed Monogram

[MikeDubber]

An engraving client recently came to me with a problem. She had been to a local printing company to have a monogram designed and printed on formal note cards for her daughter's wedding announcements. After several tries, she was still not pleased with the design of the monograms they had presented to her for approval. She asked if I would design the monogram.

I suggested that it might be best if I cut the monogram in brass for them to see exactly the way she wanted it to appear in print. I cut the monogram with my Lindsay Palm, she returned it to the printer, they transferred and reversed the design and cut it into a copper printing plate.

The result is the printed note card in this photo - a very nice raised monogram in gold ink. The Printing company is Nussmiers Engraving - they do beautiful printing work using old world printing presses (as well as modern work) for engraved letterheads, business cards and other specialty engraved and printed items.

Mike Dubber

[rick woodward]

Mike
Thats a beautiful piece of art. She had to be happy with it. rickw

[Tim Wells]

Classy work Mike

You sir, are the undisputed king of lettering and I mean that right from the ticker too! (standing at attention with my sweat stained John Deere ball cap in hand placed reverently over my heart, gazing off into the sunset...)

[Roger Bleile]

I will enthusiastically second Tim's response. Do you give a class on lettering Mike?

Roger

[MikeDubber]

Yes, students get a dose of lettering in all my classes. I've been in the business of lettering for many years and it's one of those things I never tire of. Beautifully cut letters, monograms and decorative dedications are fascinating to me - and our history is full of great examples. My explanation of the power of good lettering is that you can fool most untrained folks most of the time with poorly designed scrolls, but they were taught about letters starting in the first grade. They recognize poorly designed letters from the start. Several jewelers have come to study lettering and nothing else.

This is the kind of thing I really like to create - it's the Sterling Silver name plate I did for Tim George's CCA Gun last year.


Incidentally, I'll be presenting "Lettering and Borders" at the 2009 FEGA Seminars in Reno - one more reason to attend and participate in the Guild - see you there next year!
Mike Dubber

[Tim Adlam]

Beautiful job Mike!

Like you, I enjoy lettering and this is an elegant design.

Question; would you have had to cut the dot flourishes deeper/wider for the printer to pick up that detail, or did they omit them in the reproduction process?

Tim

[MikeDubber]

Yes, the dots were omitted because of the possibility of the ink failing to fiill and transfer. One of the reasons was because of the type of paper the client picked........

[Tim Adlam]

Mike,

Too bad the accents were omitted. I like little touches like that.
Believe it or not, people used to write like that back in the day [1850's]!

Tim

[Barry Lee Hands]

An elegant piece of work Mike, as always. . . .

[Tim Wells]

Tim, how old were you then? Did the school marm teach that style?:smilie5:
Sorry buddy, I couldn't resist...

[PatP]

WOW, kicking it old school....very nice indeed!!

[Daniel Houwer]

That looks great!
May I ask wich graver you used? Is that the caligraphy from Steve or another?

[Shy Shadow]

Mike - why does the plate say "master engraved by tim george"?