I’m so happy to be finally introducing you all to Jacqui Sharples, founder of Print for Love of Wood… A Lancashire lass I am very pleased indeed to have as part of our Unlimited Editions collective!… As my artist furthest afield, we have sadly not yet had the chance to meet in person, but we have a great e-relationship!

Print for Love of Wood is a small design & letterpress studio in Lancashire dedicated to the love of wood type and tree hugging paper. It is a labour of love set up by freelance graphic designer Jacqui Sharples – inspired by a passion for print, the smell of ink, vintage typography and her collection of wood type. She prints in-house on a range of vintage printing presses, including a Victorian treadle, using traditional methods of hand setting type. All her presses are manually operated so the only energy used is an eco-friendly light bulb and her muscle power! Ink is recycled from printers who have closed down due to the digital impact on traditional methods of print.

UE: Love the name PFLOW!… how did you arrive at that?
Jacqui: Being a designer the worst and best job in the world is designing your own identity!… I followed my heart! ‘Print for Love of Wood’ encompassed two things that are close to my heart – the environment and my passion for wood type.

UE: What started your love of letterpress?
Jacqui: Whilst doing my BA Graphic Design at Uni, I bought a small press and it just grew from there… To the point where I’ve run out of room and now run six presses, all operated by hand. But there were two main influences that fell in my lap, the compete collection of wood type from a local printers, that I got for a tiny sum of money, and meeting a local retired compositor, John, who has become my friend and mentor. He’s like my adopted dad passing down all his knowledge and skills to the point of giving me my own space in his workshop which is like my second home. He even likes my taste in music

I remember reading that you had gone back to college and started anew in this field after losing your job… Big brave career changes!… And you’ve really grasped it wholeheartedly and have a real growing following – a success story in my book!… Tell us more…

I was made redundant after 26 years of working as a Graphic Designer in advertising and magazines, but to be honest I’d had enough! I decided to do my degree and possibly go into teaching… It wasn’t an easy decision as I have three young boys, but I have a very supportive husband!

During the three year degree I started up my company whilst still freelancing as a designer. It’s been hard graft, but I don’t feel like I’m working (apart from the admin!) I’m doing something that I love! Plus I got to re-live my youth at Uni, win some awards, win free holidays to New York and Berlin and to top it off graduated with a first class honours. It put the spring back in my step!

Teaching full time has been put on hold while I put all my energy into Print for Love of Wood and continue to expand my printed wares. I’m so grateful for the continued support from Sara and Patrick at Unlimited Editions plus the people who buy my work. ‘Believe in Magic’ and your dreams just might come true!

UE: Who/what are your inspirations?
Jacqui: I just love vintage typography, graphic design and northern culture, but sometimes the inspiration is right in front of me in the form of wood type.

UE: I love the fact you are so passionate about what you do as well as being so talented! You seem very active within the letterpress scene!!
Jacqui: I’m a great believer in the saying what goes around come around’, therefore I love to share my knowledge and help out other enthusiasts. It’s what you bring to the table that matters! I’ve been very lucky that through sharing my passion and helping others has given me some fantastic opportunities and life-long friends.

UE: Onwards and upwards, what’s next?…
Jacqui: Workshops from my studio. I’ve already taken my presses and type on the road for letterpress workshops, but am looking forward to having some company in the studio.

UE: Unfulfilled ambitions?
Jacqui: So many!… But to have a larger studio where all the presses will fit and to travel the world visiting the last remaining letterpress print shops using wood type.

UE: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Jacqui: Got to be Alan Kitching!

UE: Best moment in your day?
Jacqui: Waking up in the morning knowing I’ll spend the day doing what I love!

UE: Do you find the Pennines a creative place?…
Jacqui: I’ve got Manchester, Liverpool, the Lake District, Yorkshire, country side and the seaside all on my doorstep. What more could you ask for! (Apart from less rain and more sun!)

If you would like to see more prints by Print for Love of Wood please visit our online shop, or pop in to our Xmas Studio Shop, open 5 days a week, Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am to 5pm until the 18th December. You can find us at 4B Upper Gardner St, Brighton BN1 4AN.