I designed and printed a calendar for 2022. The imagery is based on the numerous birds that frequent our backyard. In most respects the various steps I followed to complete this project were not as difficult as I’d anticipated. Here is brief overview of designing and printing the Backyard Birds 2022 Calendar.
I began by sketching and then carving numerous 3”x2” blocks. Here is a sampling of the sketched and transferred birds.
Carved blocks and other items used to print the calendar.
Stacked and cut Cougar Natural paper, cover weight. I printed an edition of 42 calendars using approximately 475 cut sheets of paper (12 birds and a cover sheet) measuring 11”x6” each.
A little wren adorns the cover. I used wood type and Garamond for the cover’s text.
All twelve months are completed, trimmed, and ready for packaging.
Carving the Goldfinch.
Close up of some of the carved blocks.
A bird for each month was printed on a blue mat.
After printing all of the birds I printed the month (using 24 pt Garamond) and dates using a Perpetual Calendar form purchased from Skyline Type Foundry. The perpetual form worked and printed beautifully. I printed the relief carved bird blocks separately from the metai type forms. Late in the printing process I discovered that I could have printed all of these at the same time. Oh well, live and learn!
I printed the colophon using 12 pt Garamond on the back of the last month - December.
Packaged and ready for sales! I did not want to punch holes into the finished printed pages. Customers who purchase the calendars may want to frame some of their favorite months. I chose the paper clip as a way to present and hold the pages, after careful consideration. It won’t damage the print and works well as a hanging device.
This was a great project for designing, printing, and learning! Upon completion I was reminded of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. “The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.” Indeed!