MEET CHRISTINA DRUMMOND
The Woman Behind the Press
I still remember when I first discovered letterpress. It was over 13 years ago, in my final year of study. I got the opportunity to go to the Melbourne Museum of Printing while visiting Australia for a design conference and was introduced to letterpress printing. I got ink in my veins and have never looked back.
From artwork setup to mixing ink to setting up and running the press itself, I fell utterly in love.
2012
I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Graphic Design and began working with a Master Printer - learning everything I could about letterpress printing over the next 3 years.
I was lucky enough to acquire my own 1 tonne Heidelberg printing press, treadle press and slowly gathered all the bits and pieces I'd need to start my own letterpress business.
2013-2015
2015
I moved back to my hometown with my husband - printing presses in tow - brought our first home, and got straight to work bringing my new business to life.
2016
We immediately started renovations and opened our home studio in April - Windmill Press was born.
2017-2018
We welcomed Evie in February 2017 then Ayla in August 2018. We also added a foiling Heidelberg to expand Windmill Press' capabilities.
2020
When COVID-19 brought weddings and wedding shows to a sudden halt, we adapted and found new ways to serve our clients - through the uncertainty, creativity and resilience bloomed.
2021
We welcomed Evie & Ayla's baby brother Jack in June.
2023
Alongside our wedding and business clientele we expanded our offerings and started selling custom embossers and other accessories in our online shop.
We have made so many great relationships, worked with hundreds of amazing clients, expanded to serve clients worldwide, won several industry awards and I honestly feel like the best is yet to come!
Over the years…
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our family and Windmill Press.
“
Design…
Whether you’re looking for a full wedding stationery set or some new business cards, I am dedicated to bringing your dream design to life. At every step I will consult with you to ensure that the end result is exactly the look you had in mind.
…and Printing
At our studio, we offer the complete design-and-print package and specialise in two exquisite printing techniques: Letterpress Printing and Foil Printing, each offering a unique and luxurious finish. We also offer digital printing as an optional add-on for your stationery.
LETTERPRESS
Letterpress printing utilizes either handset type or a custom photopolymer plate to create a stunning debossed (pressed in) or embossed (pressed out) impression of images or text on paper, with or without (“blind”) ink.
Each colour used requires a separate plate and setup. Letterpress works well with medium to dark inks on lighter paper and provides a matte finish.
This technique, executed on our 1952 Original Heidelberg printing press, produces a beautiful 3D effect that invites touch.
FOIL
Foil printing employs a heated chase system to bond a metallic foil onto the paper, creating a stunning matte or shiny finish.
This technique also requires one colour at a time, with each colour needing a separate foil block and setup. Foil is ideal for light colours on dark paper, such as white on black, or enhancing your stationery to stand out with metallics like gold and silver.
This process is done on our 1972 Original Heidelberg printing press, resulting in a refined look that enhances the visual appeal of your projects.
COMPUTER TO PLATE TO PRESS
How It Works
-
Our process begins with the creation of your artwork using the latest graphic design software. We know how to design to achieve the best results as well as the boundaries and emphasize the importance of producing crisp, clean designs that will effectively translate to high-quality physical prints.
-
Following the design phase, we produce a film that is then exposed through two different processes to create either a photopolymer letterpress plate or a magnesium foil block, ensuring precision in every detail.
-
Next, we carefully set up your plate or block on the printing press, making adjustments for registration, ink, and pressure to guarantee optimal results. After loading the press with paper and ensuring everything is ready to go, we initiate the printing process. This brings your designs to life with the distinctive tactile quality that only letterpress can offer, delivering beautiful, handcrafted results.
