“What?” We hear you cry. “But that already exists, it’s called an Adana”. Indeed. 

However, The Slate Press Letterpress Machine has an appearance more akin to a desktop laser printer, with a compact design that is said to “fit perfectly into today’s workplace”. 

The firm describes it, thus: “an automated, desktop-sized letterpress machine that provides artists, designers and hobbyists with an accessible, modern take on letterpress machines, breathing life into a historic and beautiful art form.”

It uses photopolymer plates (made with an accompanying platemaker) but also has a chase for handling traditional letterpress wood or metal type. The device, which is, er, ‘slated’ to ship in July 2016, has a list price of $2,250. 

As PrintWeek went to press the firm had $30,718 of backing for the project on Kickstarter, but with 23 hours to go the $75,000 target looked like a bit of a stretch. 

Maybe people don’t want a modern take on letterpress, because they actually prefer the real thing?