The last hundred years have given certain parts of western society the luxury of going sentimental over others’ way of life. As I am sure you know, from your time in Liberia. Or, after, more likely.

We should make sure that old crafts don’t go entirely extinct, but I find it offensive, ignorant and stupid when – in this case – the “cream” of designers today can only roll around in a sentimentality on behalf of someone elses hard work. And they keep new creative people in the dark, by talking about when typography was “real”, when men were men and letters made of led…
The designer – printer relationship is a little like architect – builder.

Fact is, having a desiger at a print check was usually a nightmare..

This is perfect: “But this sentimetality is pathetic, it is the luxury of those who didn’t have to do the job.”

I varnish boats for a living. I don’t spray two-part urethanes in a surgically clean booth, I get out on my hands and knees in the heat and cold. It’s absolutely satisfying to create beauty where none existed, but there isn’t a romantic thing about it. I get dirty, tired, hot, cold, and frustrated by dealing with all the variables, and if someone could hand me some new techniques or tools that would allow me to keep working without all those frustrations, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment.

Another example: you lived in a cabin, I lived in Liberia. You want to see people romanticize, tell them you were in the West African bush for a time.
They can get positively weepy, and before you know it, someone gets the urge to say “bwana” – never mind that it’s the wrong language, and the wrong side of the continent.

Well. You pushed my button! Again, great post, which I will ponder at a bit more length. Thanks!