Today we’d like to introduce you to Sven Olaf Nelson.
Hi Sven, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a letterpress printer and designer in Sylvania, OH. Letterpress printing hooked me while getting my Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Graphic Design at Ball State University. I grew up drafting and doing mechanical drawings, so drawing letterforms as a first-year design student came easy, and I became restless. I discovered that I love typefaces, letterforms, and designing with typefaces. I stumbled upon letterpress in the Senior Design Studio and started messing around with the presses and moveable type, printing flyers for senior shows, books covers, and small cards.
I love antiques and continuing to use them for their intended purpose. I love the tactile nature of creating things with my hands. It’s really the perfect intersection of my interests to create while giving voice to myself and others.
Upon graduation in 2001, I began my print shop with a small table-top proofing press and a few cases of type naming my shop Pineapple Press & Design as an homage my grandfather’s nickname – Pine. I printed greeting cards, postcards, and invitations, all crafted by hand and for specific needs of friends and customers. Since then, I’ve continued to grow my collection of letterpress print equipment and design passion from hobby to full-time in my home in Sylvania, just outside Toledo, Ohio.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Letterpress printing seems easy when you start, but there is over 500 years of knowledge of the craft that isn’t YouTube-able. There are difficulties trying to learn techniques and acquire equipment. Historically letterpress printing was a technical skill that was taught, even handed down from generations, and perfected before you could just begin. Master Printers are rightfully protective of their knowledge and skills because letterpress is not a fly-by-night trend; it’s a lifetime of passion and understanding that began at a very young age. In many ways, it becomes difficult to gain the same experiences and even equipment because letterpress printing isn’t the same as it was even 50 years ago when it was really falling by the wayside as a means of printing. Which is why I love to create YouTube content and open my studio and collection with other like-minded artists and designers to keep the craft thriving not only for now but for generations to come. There is equipment available, but there is a limited amount of quality equipment which has many years of hard wear and tear, which in turn drives up the cost. It’s a challenge to discern the need for something or saving it from a scrap pile or as a showpiece and wanting to carry the tradition forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create one-of-a-kind communications that are reflections of my customers. Whether it’s part of my off-the-shelf letterpress greeting cards, high-end wedding stationery, or digital designs, I lean on my historic knowledge to create timeless pieces that are fully custom and when possible, reuse antique letterpress equipment. I love antique printing equipment and moveable type, meaning old letterpress printing letters to create new designs. It takes something old and breaths new life into it keeping it fresh and current. So, I love to collect and reuse the materials that have been used for the same purposes for over a century. While I love the quick response of our digital world, there is nothing like receiving a handwritten note on a card in the mailbox. There’s a personal connection made knowing that what is held in my hand was thought about, crafted, designed intentionally, and delivered by hand… person to person, to end up in a tangible thing in my hand. I’m so proud to be able to use my collection of antique letterpress equipment to be a small part of that personal connection.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
There are a couple of podcasts I follow, like Help Me Find My Way with Brian Reith, The Honest Designers Show, or Hot Off the Press, but I love to listen to all types of music while I work. I’m usually listening to full albums that range from bluegrass, folk, classical, rap & hiphop, jazz, rock, alternative, and even some pop from time to time. Some favorites are David Brubeck, any with Jack White, Sylvan Esso, MUTEMATH, Beastie Boys, Blackalicious, twenty-one pilots, Miles Davis, U2, and Beck.
Contact Info:
- Website: pineapplepress.net
- Instagram: @leaddite
- Facebook: Pineapple Press & Design
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/c/PineapplePressAndDesign - Other: https://www.patreon.
com/pineapplepress, https:// www.etsy.com/shop/ pineapplepress
