As we planned our recent open studio event we commissioned a piece of original artwork from the Boxcar Toddler to be printed on letterpress coasters for our visitors. The result? Pure brilliance. But don’t take our word for it, take a look for yourself – the floor plan of our new print shop according to the Boxcar Toddler:

The Boxcar Toddler turns four today and we celebrated with a great big birthday party! There were plenty of friends, crafts and painting, delicious vegan cupcakes from Boxcar favorite Strong Hearts Cafe, stacks of presents and a little face painting, too. It’s hard to believe this little guy is four already. Happy birthday, Jasper!

The Boxcar Toddler visited our letterpress headquarters on Valentine’s Day, decked out in a very realistic USPS postman outfit. He didn’t have much time to chat as he needed to pass out over 50 Valentines throughout the old artist warehouse that we call home. Though Valentine’s Day is perhaps a little less romantic with two kids, it certainly is a lot cuter. (Who needs flowers when you have a toddler anyway?!) And okay, okay, we’ll admit the little Valentines weren’t letterpressed this year, but at least they were eco!

The shop at Boxcar Press was surprised by the appearance of emerging photographer Jasper Kyle when he unexpectedly chased after his father (who needed to visit our Shipping & Receiving area). Once among the busy letterpress presses, he turned to his Fisher Price R7315 which he had previously been using to photograph the hallway ceiling. He first turned his attention to our Heidelberg KSBA, which was in the middle of a 3 color run of 6,000 cards. Bob frames the composition as he measures his press sheet for register.

Then he noticed Carrie pulling some prints on the Vandercook. This setting, as the Vandercook prepares to pull a print, resulted in a dynamic, powerful photograph through the lens of a three year old (below).


Before heading out the door, Jasper specifically requested to photograph a “dirty stinky press,” one “with oil on top.” He showed us what he was talking about: a Heidelberg Windmill. After noticing how dirty each one was, he settled on Bill’s press as the dirtiest—inspiration for another bold composition.


We were honored to be the focus of Jasper Kyle’s recent photo shoot and we hope that you enjoy the artistry of his work. Jasper is available for wedding photography, event photography, printing press photography, ceiling photography, blurry carpet photography, and calligraphy. Please contact Boxcar Press for more information.

The Boxcar Press toddler is available for calligraphy services! He has been in training for about six months now and will work in trade for train set accessories, pink socks, or mac & cheese. Turnaround varies from immediate to about 200 days, depending on his mood.

Halloween became so much more fun once we started having kids who wear cute costumes…after much debate (UPS Man? Mailman? UPS Man? Mailman?), the Boxcar Toddler decided to be a U.S. Mailman this year. He delivered hand drawn letters to lucky people all over the building. (and yes, there is, in existence, a very cute Boxcar Baby #2, who is dressed up as the letter “J” and even wore a Halloween bib….but we forgot to take a photo of her! Typical second child, right?!?!)

Email exchange this morning:

Harold: Debbie and I have a new baby coming any day now [so I'd like to wrap up this purchase]. I’ll mail the initial payment today for you. When will you deliver the press? I probably need to give my guys here two weeks to get the space ready.

Equipment dealer: Good luck with the new baby. We can deliver at any time, so just have your guy call us when you are ready up there, many thanks

Harold: Didn’t know you got involved in midwifery HAHAHAHA. Will call when ready for the press delivery. Honestly, I’d rather you deliver the press instead!

Equipment dealer: Got me there. I will stick with Heidelberg deliverys, thanks

[Truth be told I have been known to call my Heidelbergs my babies.]

Speaking of the wonders of children’s artwork — some of you know that Boxcar Press has a Boxcar Baby, and we’re pretty laid back about parental things. We are totally okay to have the Boxcar Baby grow up to be whatever person he wants to be — though ideally, that person would be a creative, artistic, kind, adventurous artist who loves travel and hiking and letterpress printing too. It’s true, we bought crayons for our little one when he was 3 months old and then wondered – why isn’t he coloring? So we’re thrilled that, at 25 months old, he is drawing everywhere — on magazines, sometimes in books (ugh!), on paper, on chalk boards, in coloring books, on sidewalks. He even is enrolled in his very first art class! We’re totally unbiased, but we do think everything he makes is brilliant. I mean, look at those lines! Those color choices! There are few things as joyful as 2 year olds making Art.

We wanted to dress the Boxcar Baby up as a letterpress, but we couldn’t decide: Vandercook or C&P? C&P or Vandercook? Heidelberg Cylinder? Vandercook? The penguin costume was our compromise.