Hudson Valley Letterpress
Step into the creative world of Hudson Valley Letterpress, where timeless artistry meets modern craftsmanship. Jane Buck, a UK-born illustrator turned printmaker, shares her journey from the vibrant streets of San Francisco to the serene landscapes of the Hudson Valley. With a passion for paper goods and a dedication to preserving the art of letterpress, she transforms ideas into beautifully crafted stationery. In this interview, she opens up about her inspirations, the unique charm of her antique presses, and the joy of working closely with clients to bring their visions to life. Join us as we explore her artistic process and the heart behind Hudson Valley Letterpress.
tell us about yourself and your work.
I went to Art School in the UK for Fashion and Textiles, but mostly wanted to be an illustrator as I was never much of a seamstress. I moved to the US in 1999 to marry my Kiwi husband, Simon and we never left.
“Eventually I found printmaking and stationery–which for me, turned out to be the way of being creative every day.”
I was able to keep up my illustration practice while managing to make a living and not having to live in a big city. We both run our own businesses in the Hudson Valley.
What inspired you to start Hudson Valley Letterpress?
In so many ways I started Hudson Valley Letterpress over 20 years ago. In my 30s I lived in San Francisco and worked at one of the early Paper Source stores on Fillmore Street. It was a hive of creativity – an inspired time, there I found my new medium in the form of paper goods! After a few years of living in New York I opened my first brick and mortar shop named for my mother Foxy and my father Winston (Foxy & Winston) I set up a printing operation in the back and made my own line of cards and textiles, private client work soon followed.
After 10 years in Red Hook Brooklyn my husband Simon and I traded in for country life and the stars aligned when the perfect studio space fell in my lap in the heart of the Hamlet in Hillsdale, I dollied in my antique printing presses that range from the 1890s through the 1960’s and it’s the place where I host clients by appointment and apron up for ink color mixing and print production.
“I rebranded as Hudson Valley Letterpress. It’s my meditation, my art. I love being there.”
Photo by Alex Healy Photo
WHAT IS your creative process when designing custom stationery, from initial concept to final print?
While it’s alway different there are a few things that I always try to prioritize. I meet with clients either in person at my studio or via video chat to hear about their vision and talk them through the fine art logistics that come with working with these magical and historic machines.
“Letterpress isn’t the latest trend–It’s a decades old art form that I’ve learned through years of trial, error AND other experts.”
I draft options digitally and I collaborate with clients to create something that really speaks to the ethos and vision they have in mind. Once the designs are finalized and approved I send for plates to be made, on their return the plates are attached to the presses and I go to print. I mix the Pantone ink color recipes by hand with a micro scale. Each piece is printed, trimmed and inspected. I offer full service, which means I address the envelopes, stick on the stamps, stuff, seal and mail them on behalf of the client.
As a one-woman operation, how do you manage the diverse demands of running a design and printing studio?
It’s a lot to juggle and I often feel my business is running me, but on the whole my philosophy is simple. I care deeply about the integrity of the design and materials.
“I am lucky that people who work with me understand I’m the whole operation.”
I receive the inquiries and send out the proposals. I consult and provide examples/samples and I draw/conceive of all the art, text, and format. Not to mention the labor of cleaning down the machines in between custom ink runs ready for the next job. While the admin part of my business is fairly straightforward it’s always an exercise of trust and understanding to manage deadlines and mailing/printing logistics.
Could you elaborate on the importance of sustainability in your printing practices?
It’s very important. The good news is that I feel confident that the storied importance of wedding invites and other tactile print goods are singular art objects. I know so many of my clients who have guests who keep pieces as keepsakes or frame them for loved ones. I print on cotton (tree free) rag. My printing rags are cut up old t-shirts, bed sheets and even old underpants – nothing goes wasted in my studio!
“Keeping this art alive is an act of resistance against wastefulness.”
While you focus on letterpress, you also offer some digital services. How do you balance tradition with modern printing techniques?
While I design and outsource digital printing for wedding tabletop stationery for my clients, such as place cards and menus, I do not create digital E-vites. It’s all about moving with the times, so I accept that so many people do digital save the dates so they can save their budget for me to make them gorgeous invite suites that are so special and arrive by snail mail.
“Other clients like PERSEPHONE SOCIAL, have a robust digital presence but still understand the value of a gorgeous tactile business card.”
Those folks are my clients.
Photo by Le Loups Photography
How do you keep traditional methods like letterpress relevant and appealing in today’s market?
I can’t control the market, but I’ve been very lucky.
“The right people find me, the right Event Planners recommend me, and for that I’m super grateful.”
How does Hillsdale and the greater Hudson Valley influence your business and creative process?
I am constantly inspired! I go on long walks with my two beautiful Beagles and often my Instagram feed is just cows and flowers and all the nature.
“I covet and collect antique botanical books and have a library of botanical illustrations that I use as inspiration for patterns and designs I create.”
I also draw a lot of local venues in my work and am often asked to draw mountain ranges and of course, the Hudson River.
In what ways do your products reflect the culture and aesthetics of the Hudson Valley?
“HISTORY–Some of my machines date back to the 1800s, they’ve had likely 3 generations of owners.”
I often think of the people that used these presses and as importantly the things they might have been printing. The Hudson Valley has such a rich history of preserving everything from agriculture to cuisine to import and travel. I’m fortunate to have amazing neighbors like Tiny Hearts Flower Shop and local flower farming, LABspace Gallery for art and culture and Hillsdale General Store for a slice of History and some well curated antiques.
Photo by Sylvie Rosokoff
What do you find most rewarding about working directly with your clients?
“Much of my work is in wedding land and that means being an inherent part of a really special day.”
Working alongside clients from contracting to wedding day I’m often privy to some funny and beautiful stuff. I’m lucky that people I’ve made Holiday cards for a decade keep coming back & I’m lucky that brides and grooms of yore are my biggest cheerleaders.
Across your career as an artist, what has been your favorite medium to work with and why?
Making patterns for print is my absolute favorite. I find it so satisfying, weaving all the elements together, then applying to a textile or paper. For me these days it’s mostly envelope liners but I wish it was wallpaper – maybe in my next life!
How do you use social media to showcase your UNIQUE DESIGNS AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS?
It is all a portfolio. Every person I meet will cherry pick imagery that they are drawn to from my feed. It’s a one-stop shop to begin creative rounds with couples. It’s very much a tool I count on to simplify the process for each client.
“I like posting on stories the various stages of production from start to finish at the studio.”
People often tell me it’s satisfying to watch the process of mixing ink and getting in on the machines. Like I said, it’s a terrific starting point for me and my clients to take what we like and leave the rest. I also love to support the community of makers and other letterpress folks.
What has been one of the most challenging projects, and what did it teach you about your craft?
Last year I was so honored to design and paint the Hillsdale Hamlet mural. I worked with mother nature to get up on the scaffold and paint or bite my nails during rain storms. I’ve painted a few in my life, but never outdoors and never this scale and it taught me that my days as a muralist are finally over. Out with bang as they say!
Looking ahead, what new directions or projects are you excited to explore with Hudson Valley Letterpress?
The day to day is always a blast so I’m hoping for more incredible clients, bigger budgets and people who want beautiful and inspired illustration because that's what I love to do.
In other news, I was recently awarded a local micro business grant to buy a new (antique) machine which I hope to teach printing classes with for the 2025 Hillsdale Workshop Experience program. With the help of this new machine I’m also hoping to launch a new line of greeting cards to start selling to stores again, we’ll see!
