History
“Well done is better than well said.” Benjamin Franklin
Don Bixler is a third-generation printer who started at age12 standing on an apple box at a hand-fed letterpress. He has spent his life exercising the “well done” in all facets of printing: letterpress printing, pre-press and offset lithography press operations and into the digital age.
When he relocated to Alaska, he met his wife, Wendy Shaft, in, all places, a print shop, Clay’s Printing, in Anchorage. They found common ground between commercial printing and the art of printmaking.
Limner Press has carved its niche by publishing “Wendy Shaft Block Printed Images”, (retired) small editions of letterpress printed books and broadsides as well as many commercial services.
The underlying mission has always been to keep the knowledge of letterpress printing alive as well as being attentive to people. “Well done” in all aspects of Limner Press continues to prevail in service to customers and community.
Wendy Shaft Block Printed Images, Retired
Wendy Shaft Block Printed Images line of cards and journals was published by Limner Press for 25 years. The subject matter related to Wendy’s interest in the flora and fauna of Alaska (and loyal pets). By participating in the National Stationery Show in NYC, the line expanded from Alaska into east and west coast markets.
The publication of the card and journal line was only possible because of Don Bixler’s expertise in letterpress printing and Wendy’s hand carved linoleum block skills. Eight years after Limner Press relocated to Michigan, life events changed the location of the company, and in turn, the press necessary letterpess printing was given away.