About Atelier

Atelier is a letterpress and calligraphy studio in Sydney, Australia 

Atelier - meaning workshop or studio - began as a calligraphy practice in 1994 as Design Calligraphy, owned and managed by Terri Anderson. After completing an introductory course to calligraphy in 1990 I was inspired by a wonderful teacher and winning the Australian Society of Calligraphers Scholarship to further my studies and complete the Diploma in Western Calligraphy. Quickly becoming a passion it was a logical progression to open my own studio. During the course of the last 16 years many commissions for private, corporate and government clients have been undertaken and my work shown in exhibitions and published. 

Having always been interested in printing and type after studying typography; and different papers from around the world I began searching for a way to bring together calligraphy, printing, type and paper, giving justice to each element. Letterpress was the answer.

The invention of a method of using moveable type and ink to press letters onto paper in the mid 1400's by Guttenberg created a revolution in the production of printed matter and made books and other literature available and affordable. The first type faces were based on the calligraphic scripts used by scribes to create reading matter and manuscripts prior to the introduction of letterpress.

The work of scribes and the press became interwoven for many years. Even today the design of many modern type faces are based on the principles and proportions of hand lettering. 

With the assistance and training from two wonderful mentors with over 60 years combined experience and knowledge as compositors, printers and pressmen; and the serendipitous purchase of a 50 year old press in excellent working order Atelier Press was formed.  

Design Calligraphy and Atelier were merged in 2010 to become Atelier Press and Calligraphy.

My aim is to produce unique pieces that embody my passion for honouring these two centuries old crafts and demonstrate the finest quality, workmanship, attention to detail and materials. 

Our Green Credentials:

I am concerned about the environment, so have carefully considered what I can do within my business and within my community.

This starts with assisting and advising my clients on paper choices - and how these papers are produced - recycled, carbon neutral, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - what is produced locally, and what will suit their project and their budget. I subscribe to a global online resource for advising on and sourcing paper. Where I can I buy in bulk to reduce the amount of freighting.  

Typically I use papers that are made from recycled cotton or other renewable plant materials, made by paper companies that have developed and implemented their own environmental policies and practices such as using wind power in their paper manufacture, are certified carbon neutral in their manufacture and adopt have incorporated procedures such recycling their waste and reducing their carbon footprint through offsets.

My own studio recycles paper waste by either providing to local craftsman who make handmade paper from offcuts; or by making my own papers and using offcuts for other printing purposes and in packing. All letterpress equipment and tools used in the studio have been pre-loved by now retired letterpress printers, and in some cases re-purposed. Much equipment is over 50 years old and will last well past my lifetime.

The letterpress process uses very little water and energy - other then human energy!  The installation in my studio means heating and cooling are kept at an absolute minimum - lots of fresh air and fee access to the cat.

I am always looking at ways to reduce the carbon footprint of my studio.