Extra Condensed is a ‘very occasional’ magazine that’s painstakingly typeset and printed by hand by the Counter Press. “The challenge was how to use the traditional craft of letterpress in a way that nobody else does: to make it as relevant and as accessible as possible for creatives, designers and anyone with a passing interest in typography and print,” they explain.

The magazine is made using “old, analogue materials and processes”, and produced using almost no digital intervention or use of electricity, with the presses operated mostly by hand and foot. That makes it a long, slow labour of love; this third issue alone took nine months to design, typeset, print and fold, without taking into account the planning and writing.

It features pieces by big-name designers such as Astrid Stavro and Paul Barnes reflecting on the role of typography in their lives – all of which is brought to life by Counter Press’ deft use of metal and wood type.

Credits:
Extra Condensed No.3
Category: Editorial
Entrant: The Counter Press
Design Studio: The Counter Press
Designers, typesetters & printers: Elizabeth Ellis, David Marshall