COMMISSIONING PRINTS + ILLUSTRATIONS FROM TUGBOAT PRINTSHOP

Please bear in mind that due to the labor intensive nature of making woodcuts, quick turnaround is rarely possible. We require at least a 6 months notice for custom printed multiples. Tugboat specializes in fine-art woodcuts and our prices are reflective of the time and effort that it takes to design, draw, cut, and manufacture our individual, unique, fine-art products.


EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: KUBIS/DANYO WEDDING INVITATION, 2008
Tugboat Printshop received a MERIT AWARD from HOW MAGAZINE ANNUAL SELF PROMOTION ISSUE, 2008 for this invite!
The piece was photographed by HOW MAGAZINE and appeared in print in the issue.



(ABOVE) A four block color woodcut wedding invitation by Tugboat Printshop--here shown completely unfolded. Below are photos of the invitation as it folds back into its envelope state. (The front and back of the fawn-colored paper were printed and cut down to fold into a easy-to-mail 6" x 8" printed envelope--super easy to tuck additional maps and guest information into!) The R.S.V.P. card (ABOVE, R) is perforated for easy return through the mail as a postcard.



(ABOVE) Flaps to the right & left fold to the center of the invite, showcasing 2 nested pink floral hearts. When opening the envelope, one would see the two hearts side-by-side (BELOW). As these flaps are opened, the blue birds touching wings are revealed (SEE TOP PHOTO)!



(ABOVE) Top & bottom flaps also fold to the center, concealing the two central hearts. A silohuetted white birch tree pattern wraps delicately around the back length of the invite (BELOW).




EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: BEARD BLOCK FOR BEARDED STUDIOS, 2010.





EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA ALUMNI PRINT, 2004.

(BELOW) This edition of 100 full color woodblock prints was commissioned from Paul by the ALUMNI HOUSE at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Vermillion, 2004.

OUR DESIGN PROCESS STEP-BY-STEP:

DESIGN: Tugboat Printshop works with you directly to develop an original image and idea that fits your needs. We will provide up to three loose sketches--of those, one is chosen to develop as the key block drawing.

KEY BLOCK DRAWING + CUTTING: The final drawing for the key block is made directly on a block of birch plywood. The drawing is then carved out with hand-held knives to preserve the detail of the inked in lines.

TRANSFER OF BLOCKS FOR COLOR: If multiple colors are part of the design scheme, multiple woodblocks are carved for each of the colors (though sometimes it will work to have two colors on the same block) The key block image is transferred to same sized blocks and redrawn with the new underlying color information.

PRINTING: The finished blocks are inked by hand with rollers and are printed through our Conrad etching press. Each color layer requires a short drying time.



CUTTING + FOLDING: Depending on the type of commission, cutting & folding might be required (as with the invitation example above).



ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: A FAIR IN THE PARK POSTER 2008 + 2009

(BELOW) Original drawing, digitally colored for the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh's "A FAIR IN THE PARK" annual outdoor fair. The finished posters & postcards were manufactured by a commercial printer.




ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: A FAIR IN THE PARK POSTER 2010

(BELOW) Original drawing, digitally colored for the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh's "A FAIR IN THE PARK" annual outdoor fair. The finished posters & postcards were manufactured by a commercial printer.




ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: ETSY.COM ARTIST OF THE MONTH PUBLICITY PACK ILLUSTRATIONS



(ABOVE) Hand-drawn Promotional Poster design for Etsy.com (above).



(ABOVE) Hand-drawn Promotional Box-top design for Etsy.com (above).



(ABOVE) Hand-drawn Promotional Postcard design for Etsy.com (above).


ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLE: INSIDE COVER POSSIBILTIY FOR UNICORN MOUNTAIN COMIC ANTHOLOGY






© 2006-2010 Tugboat Printshop | All visual media © Tugboat Printshop. All Rights Reserved.

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