Tattoos, non-toxic inks, and tugboats - a uniquely crafty combination for a successful business. In my search to find San Francisco-based small businesses that use traditional letterpress machines, I stumbled upon the Tug Boat Press website. Originally, I was simply seeking out more information about the letterpress process since I wanted to give it a try myself.
With any new hobby that I hope to dive into, I ponder if there is a sustainable, eco-friendly option to embrace. To my surprise, Tug Boat Press has embraced the green aspects of printmaking by using soy inks and handmade, tree-free, and recycled papers. Started in the mid-90s, TBP has been printing custom nature- and alternative-inspired wedding invitations, business cards, and fine artistic prints in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.