Books and Paper · Lawrence, Kansas
Ruff House Print Shop
Whimsical letterpress cards and stationery printed in Lawrence, Kansas.
- Founded
- 2009
- Founded by
- Jill Shepherd
- Based in
- Lawrence, Kansas
Making it since
2009
Their story
Ruff House began in 2009 in Jill Shepherd's basement in southwest Kansas, where she designed custom wedding invitations and stationery. About a year in, she was given a 1915 Chandler & Price platen press, restored it, and taught herself to print.
In 2014 the presses moved to a storefront on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, with a print studio in the back. Shepherd remains both designer and printer, and the line has grown to include everyday greeting cards, notebooks, calendars, and art prints.
How it's made
Designs are drawn on the computer and made into printing plates, which are then run on a vintage letterpress. Each card is pressed one color at a time, leaving the crisp, slightly debossed impression letterpress is known for.
I restored it and taught myself how to use it.
Why we carry them
We like keeping a few Ruff House cards by the register for last-minute gifts. The letterpress detail makes a simple note feel special.
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