Chilver Press is a print and design studio in Windsor, Ontario owned and operated by Emily Conlon.
I hold a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Windsor and an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Saskatchewan, where I specialized in intaglio printmaking. In 2025, I received the Best of Paper Award at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. Over years of developing an independent studio practice, I have become interested in expanding my practice into letterpress printing.
I am fascinated by the idea that the simplicity of paper can be so transformative. At Chilver Press, I carry that into everything I do. Through the tactile tradition of letterpress printing, my goal is to create paper goods that become a key part of the stories that they tell.
About Chilver Press
What is Letterpress?
Letterpress is a form of relief printing, meaning ink is applied to a raised printing surface and a sheet of paper is pressed against it, transferring the design onto the paper. Letterpress originated in the 15th century, when printers used movable type to arrange individual letters to print books, newspapers, and other mass produced publications. This was the standard method of printing text until the digital age.
The use of photopolymer plates, which creates a printing surface from a digital file, has sparked a resurgence in letterpress printing. The physical impression in the paper is part of what makes modern letterpress so special, transforming a digital design into something with depth, texture, and craftsmanship.
Our Process
Your customized digital file is made into a photopolymer plate, which is a raised, printable relief surface (essentially a stamp)
The photopolymer plate is mounted to the press
Ink is mixed by hand using a formula guide to achieve precise shades
Each sheet of paper is manually fed into the press and printed one sheet at a time, one colour at a time
