Mel Arndt
Willowdell Press
Toledo, Ohio
[Written: February 2006]
How I Got Involved in Letterpress Printing: I had purchased
the print shop my employer once had. All I really wanted was the plate maker to be used as an exposure unit for an alternative photographic
process (gum bichromate). I had the rest of the equipment in storage pending liquidation. Since I wanted to reprint a long out of
print book I thought I might use the press (AB Dick) to do so and solicited the aid of a friend that is a printer to learn to use
it. After listening to my story he suggested it would be better done letterpress. I started investigating the idea further and soon
found myself hopelessly addicted to the process... I just wish I could find extra space as easily and as affordable as
I can find type and equipment!!! The rest is history. I am now a small time job printer doing things other shops won't do.
Presses
& Equipment: C&P 10 X 15, Heidelberg 10 X 15, Challenge 15-KP proof press, Challenge 1418E proof press, Standard SD-650
Digital Duplicator, Horizon QC-S10 Collator, Nagel F-40 Booklet maker, Intimus Folder, FastBind Secura perfect binder, C&P 26"
guillotine, Ludlow Model L, Elrod, Kenro Vertical Camera, 220 fonts of type, 120 fonts of Ludlow mats, Hamilton saw, Nuarc Plate maker,
Ludlow Super Surfacer, Rosback pin perforator, paper drill, jogger.
Work History: 1984-2004 Campbell Soup Company, Napoleon,
OH, 1980-1984 NASA-Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Education: Associate of Applied Business Technology - University
of Toledo, Certificate of Photography - Lourdes College, Control Data Institute, Printmaking - Toledo Museum of Art, School of Design
Other
Interests/Hobbies: Woodworking, metal working, photography, electronics, computers, printing, model railroading, type founding,
brewing
Group Memberships, if any: APA - 766, ATF
Birth
Date or Birth Year: 8 September 1947
