Can you recommend any US-based printers that can make more bespoke, interesting, smaller- run books and printed collateral?

Question

Nitabel · Answer

The Mandate Press: Design-driven SLC letterpress studio specializing in custom print work using historical equipment paired with digital plate-making technology. From deep-impression letterpress printing (text and graphics) to foil stamping, embossing and die-cutting, their superior craftsmanship and unique production methods render bespoke products a cut above the rest. Highly recommend a browse through their insta.

Maribeth · Answer

Arion Press: Arion Press based in San Francisco’s beautiful, historic Fort Mason makes small edition  art books with a world class collection of metal type, with an in house type foundry that’s been running continuously for over 100 years. They partner directly with artists for every aspect of the books they publish and hand-assemble in house on site.

These books are stupid expensive, but they are truly works of art.

The press runs tours of their facility, which is absolutely worth your time, even if you aren’t a collector and even if you aren’t looking to spend hundreds (or thousands lol) of dollars on a book. They sell beautiful art related to the books they publish, and seeing the books and the art and the facility will enrich your appreciation for details you did not even know to think about.

For example… IIRC from the tour I went on, the sold out, $3k+ (yep!!!) special deluxe two-volume edition of works by Edgar Allen Poe pictured on this rec includes a 3-dimensional portrait of Poe made in a sort of papier-mâché made with grit from a brick from the house he lived in, and the images inside the volumes are offset lithographs overprinted with letterpress using metal type they cast on site. Like… most people don’t know what those words even mean and that’s my somewhat laymen’s breakdown of it.

But the Press is cool as hell. Check it out!!!

even*cleveland · Answer

Conveyor Studio: Have heard good things; might be worth checking out!

Liz Stauber · Answer

Printed matter!

Samin · Answer

Transit Books: Brilliant small publisher, especially of translated works. I particularly love their kids’ books!

Julia · Answer

Outlet PDX: I subscribed to Kate’s packets of printed good for a bit and they were raw and beautiful. If you want to go down a Risograph hole this is a great printer to follow.

Brigid · Answer

Milkweed Editions: Lovely small publisher in Minneapolis focused on publishing work they consider transformative. And they have a wonderful bookstore as well.

Kelsey Keith · Answer

New Documents: LA-based art book publisher run by designer Jeff Khonsary (co-founder of the Acid Free art book fair). A few titles I’ve read and enjoyed include Walter Benjamin Recent Writings, David Hartt’s Belvedere, and The Halifax Conference. Design + printing are nonpareil.

Gabriela Riccardi · Answer

Mixam: Depends on how bespoke you need, but this is my go-to printer for my zines. They do nice hardcover books and great magazines, lots of size and paper customization, and best prices I've found by a mile.

Aubrey Bergeron · Answer

The Aesthetic Union: Truly awesome print shop in SF. Not only is the letterpress printing beautiful, but Katya, the owner, is amazing to work with. She helped me with a special smaller run project that included, combining digital and letterpress printing and binding. One of the only print shops that understood the vision and could put it together. I really hope to do more printing here.

AND they have their own great print/cards at the shop.