Gocco

The methods of printing date back centuries, and if it weren’t for this extensive history, we might be printing today’s hot graphics onto tees using rudimentary rubbings of impressions from wood blocks instead of the modern silkscreening from which we’ve become all too accustomed. Could you imagine? But like with any art, there’s beauty to be found in older methods of production (see the success of Lomo, for instance, and Heather’s post today about the pretty Gocco-printed calendars from annacote at Etsy). It’s a subject the New York Times covered yesterday in an interesting story called “The Cult of Gocco.” Gocco is a Japanese-made tabletop printing tool that has a following despite its limited circulation (primarily amongst crafters and in-the-know artists) and is currently enjoying a renewed interest from a niche that still adores its convenience despite its impending demise announced by the maker company a few years ago. The Gocco uses ink and lightbulbs like in screenprinting, but the no-fuss catch is that it combines the process of image-burning and printing into one quick step. Word is that it might not go the way of the dinosaur after all, but the decision hasn’t been confirmed yet. Get on it fast while it’s still out there. You can stock up on remaining supplies or watch a video of the Gocco in action at Paper Goods.