Portland's Etchpop On Their Woodblock Printing Innovation and Startup Success

When your Kickstarter campaign raises more than double your original goal, you're probably onto something good. That's what happened with Portland-based startup Etchpop last year, and it's clear why they've been so successful: they have a completely simple, completely amazing idea.

With an official launch scheduled this month, Etchpop is a web-base service that allows you to design and order your own custom laser-etched woodblocks. Whip up whatever design you'd like, submit it to Etchpop and you'll receive a woodblock of that design to make handmade prints as you'd like.

How Etchpop works.Having taken out a small business loan to arm themselves with a Trotec laser (even before they launched their Kickstarter campaign), Etchpop's Marshall Tipton and Chester Lindgren have not been messing around. Already, they've put together a handy starter kit to get you printing, and Etchpop's new website--built by Subtext--promises to offer an easy and simple way to upload your designs and order woodblocks.

After encountering Etchpop's exciting and unique combation of cutting-edge technology and hands-on, DIY craftwork, we couldn't resist getting in touch to find out more. Check out our Q&A below.

3rd Ward's John Ruscher: How did you and Chester come up with the idea for Etchpop?

Etchpop's Marshall Tipton: For as long as we've known each other, we've always been dreaming up ideas for businesses or products that we could bring into world. Chester has always been a bit of the 'mad scientist' type, and myself a little more pragmatic so we compliment each other well. A little over a year ago Chester told me he had access to a laser cutting/engraving machine. The first thing that popped into my head was engraving an image into wood and printing it. I designed a birthday card for my dad and that was when we made our first laser engraved woodblock. The card was a hit. I actually used it for several of my friends and family members who had birthdays around that time. Everyone loved the card. A few weeks later Chester called me late at night, obviously in the midst of another mad scientist brainstorm, proposing the idea of a website where anyone can submit an image to be engraved into wood to make their own woodblock prints. After many months of deliberation and a few empty bottles of whiskey later, we decided to finally 'pull the trigger' on one of our crazy ideas. 

An Etchpop laser-etched woodblock.JR: Did either of you have a background in printmaking?

MT: We both had very little direct experience with printmaking, but we had experienced it vicariously—Chester through his ex-girlfriend who majored in printmaking at PNCA (Pacific Northwest College of Art) and I through my wife who is an artist and my brother who is a graphic designer. However, instead of sitting on the couch in a jealous delirium, we started to nerd out on all things letter-press related, and two years later we feel fantastic.

JR: What has the Etchpop timeline been like?

MT: It's all been alarmingly fast. We came up with the idea in early 2011 and spent a few months ruminating how we might actually get this thing off the ground. By the end of spring, we had decided to turn to Kickstarter and began working on the video in the summer. We posted the video in October, and it's been a blur ever since.

The Etchpop starter kit.JR: What made you decide to use Kickstarter?

MT: We've always been a fan of Kickstarter and we love the platform it provides to help creative entrepreneurs get on their financial feet. It's a great way of finding out if there is a market for a new idea without having to spend a lot of money upfront. We are always emailing each other links to different Kickstarter videos to check out. It's a great source of inspiration to see all the amazing ideas people are funding and watching them come to fruition with the help of the community.

JR: Can you tell us a little about this Trotec laser that you bought?

MT: Trotec lasers are basically the Mercedes Benz in this class of laser machines. They are designed and built in Austria and have Synrad laser tubes that are manufactured in Washington State (just north of us). There are definitely many cheaper options but we wanted a high quality machine that is capable of production day-in and day-out, and Trotec is definitely it. 

The founders of Etchpop.JR: How will the process of ordering a custom woodblock work?

MT: We will have some simple and playful tutorials to help people get their images ready for a woodblock application, but there will definitely be a lot of back and forth to make sure people's blocks turn out the way they should. As Etchpop grows we will be slowly building an image editor that will specifically meet the needs of our customer base, piece by piece as their needs become evident.

JR: Any tips or words of advice for would-be creative entrepreneurs?

MT: Do what you love! We've come up with several business ideas that would have made money, but we just weren't into them all that much and couldn't get behind them. As you will be spending countless hours thinking about it, working on it, designing things for it, returning countless emails about it, redesigning things for it, dealing with unforeseen issues, and redesigning your redesigns, we repeat: you gotta love what you do. These are not complaints by any means; it feels great to overwork ourselves. And even though we've cut all communication with everyone in our lives aside from each other, turning an idea into an actual product is insanely rewarding.

Etchpop woodblocks.The second most important thing when starting a labor of love is to find a good accountant. Almost all businesses are the same when it comes to accounting and these head-shrinkingly boring meetings provide an essential foundation to build upon—which is much easier than trying to remodel the foundation after you've already started building. Forgive the cheesy metaphor but it’s true. It will save you time and money in the future.

Finally, use as many resources you can find, especially when they are free. Go to sba.gov and find a small business development center in your area. There is a lot of free/cheap help out there for people who want to start a new business. Try and find someone in your area that has the same type of machinery you are planning to buy or use, as they may be willing to talk to you, give you tips or suggestions or give you insights on how to get a better price on the machinery. 

JR: Were there any aspects of starting Etchpop that were particularly difficult?

MT: One the most difficult parts has been realizing how much time everything actually takes to get done, if you want to have it done right, that is. We understand that our customers expect professionalism and coherency, so taking the extra thousand hours to perfect a process or idea is definitely worth the time. And although things are moving along somewhat smoothly, we still feel super lucky everyone has been so patient thus far.

JR: Anything else people should know?

MT: Etchpop.com is going live mid-April!

Prints made with an Etchpop woodblock.

-- John Ruscher

New Staff Welcome: Talking Shop With Our New Tech, Matt Mullen

Matt Mullen--3rd Ward's new Shop Tech--has been busy from the start, as he's working on our (if we don't say ourselves) amazing new wood shop. We managed to catch up with him for a few minutes and learned a whole lot more about him.

Check out our Q&A below, in which we talk Mullen talks yachts, rugby, delicious Italian food and--oh right--the new wood shop. 

So what are your duties as the new "Shop Tech"?

This means that I maintain all machines, blades, sanding discs/belts and anything else that is located in our wood shop. I also handle any in-house build outs of cabinets for the shop or 3rd Ward as well. I help education with jig building and prepping materials for classes. This works well as I also teach here. Currently I am teaching the Woodworking 2 // Carcass Joinery class on Sunday nights. 

Where are you originally from?

I was born in NYC and grew up in New Jersey, predominantly in Basking Ridge.

What were you up to before coming to 3rd Ward?

I was living and working in Annapolis, Maryland, building the custom interiors of sports fishing yachts. When I first moved back to Jersey last summer I was working in a custom cabinet shop in Paterson. I also started my own furniture company, Seven36 Fine Woodworking, LLC.

Wow, awesome. So, anything you've seen at 3W so far been you've found particularly inspiring?

Really everything has. I think being a part of the build out of the new wood shop and seeing how much we are going to offer our members is inspiring. It's so easy to create terrific work when you have such an amazing and technologically advanced space to utilize. Having a dedicated educational shop is something that I don't think any other similar shop offers and its such a unique and gratifying experience to share the love and knowledge of woodworking with people who are getting into it for the first time.

Any 3W events that you're especially looking forward to?

The opening of the new pro wood shop!

Haha, of course! Switching gears, when you're not helping redefine 3W's shop, what's your power restaurant (that you want to actually share with us)?

Paul and Jimmy's on 18th and Gramercy. Authentic Italian food and the owner is a good family friend. 

Nice, we're on our way. Here's a tough one: Name your favorite gadget or tool?

This is a tough question. I think right now might be our new 16" jointer in the new pro shop or the Striebig panel saw also in the new pro shop.

Sorry, that's kind of like asking a parent to pick a favorite child, isn't it? Here's an easier one: psychological horror movies or romantic comedies?

Who can pass up a good rom-com. I'll watch Sweet Home Alabama if it's on. 

What's the best thing you've seen in NYC so far in '0-12?

I guess if we're going by the actual calendar year of 2012, then I'd say RJD2 at Webster Hall.

Quick: Name your favorite cocktail.

Bourbon and ginger.

Mmmmm....bourbon and gingerrrrr. So tell us what you do when you're not here working in the shop?

I've been playing rugby since college and continue to play at the men's Division 1 level with the Village Lions RFC. We practice in the Bronx and play home games on Randall's Island. I'm also in a big hot yoga phase right now. Heavily into music and Thursday night comedy on NBC.

Nice. Anything final words you'd like to share with the masses?

Just really glad to be a part of the community that is 3rd Ward and excited to see what new, talented members are going to come in and create with our new wood shop space.

Cheers, sir. Welcome aboard.

-- John Ruscher

Call For Entries // 12 x 12 Gives A Dozen Designers A Chance To Create Furniture Out Of Reclaimed NYC Wood

Want to build a desk out of Brazilian Ipe, Cumaru and Greenheart from the old Coney Island Boardwalk? Maybe a bookshelf made from Eastern Spruce and Vintage Yellow Pine salvaged from the recently demolished East Village dive Mars Bar? Or how about using the Oak and Cypress vats from Queen's Stock Distillery Co. to craft a nice coffee table? If so, you'll want to throw your hat (or portfolio, in this case) into the ring for 12 x 12, a contemporary furniture design competition organized by the Sawkill Lumber Co. 

12 x 12 will supply twelve furniture designers with reclaimed wood from twelve historical New York City sites. Since we are always professing our love for wood, design, reclaimed materials and NYC, we're excited to be co-sponsoring the competition along with Brooklyn Woods, which provides woodworking and cabinet making training for low-income New Yorkers, and Build-It-Green!, the only NYC nonprofit retail outlet for salvaged and surplus building materials.

The winning designers' furniture pieces will be featured in an exhibition during Design Week in the spring and auctioned off to benefit Brooklyn Woods' woodworking education and job training programs.

You have until January 31 to submit your portfolio. If you're one of the twelve lucky designers, part of NYC history could be arriving on your doorstep by mid-February.

--John Ruscher

BEHIND THE SCENES // Yoav Liberman Gives American Woodworker An Up Close Look At His 3rd Ward Class

Intro To Woodworking earned the top spot in your Top 15 Classes of 2011, and if you're not one of the lucky people who got to enroll last year, you're probably curious about what goes on in the year's most popular class.

Well clearly you're not the only one: American Woodworker (which is to woodworking as Rolling Stone is to pop culture or Sports Illustrated is to pro sports) recently asked 3rd Ward teacher and world-renowned woodworker Yoav Liberman to provide a behind-the-scenes account of the class for the magazine's blog.

Lieberman did just that in a series of six blog posts, describing in detail how his students crafted their own "Shaker-esque step stools," from the initial concept and individual designs to the cuts, grooves and dados and final assembly.

If you have experience in woodworking, you'll likely pick up some tips and insights from the posts. If you're a newbie thinking about giving it a try, the descriptions will give you an in-depth idea of what the class is like. So put on your figurative safety goggles and step into the virtual woodworking shop with Liberman:

Part 1: Shaker step stool: a project for the new comers into woodworking

Part 2: Measure, cut, glue

Part 3: Grooves and Dados

Part 4: Design

Part 5: Dry-assembly and glue up

Part 6: Completed pieces + screws and plugs

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // 3rd Ward Hosts Lie-Nielsen For a Day of Hand Tools and Woodworking Fun

If microplanes get you all hot and bothered and you like nothing more than a flawless dovetail, you'll want to clear your calendar for January 6th and 7th, when Lie-Nielsen Toolworks swoops into town to teach you about hand tools.

Lie-Nielsen began in Maine in 1981 with the goal of producing high-quality American-made tools. They now produce more than 50 types of saws, planes, scrapers, shavehorses and more, all out of high-quality metals like ductile iron and manganese bronze. These are materials that are meant not to rust or dull, so that your pretty little saw (seriously, these look really nice) will last for years, possibly even generations.

Of course, they'll explain all this and much more better than we can, and possibly even engage in some showdown fun like they did with former 3rd Ward member David Yepez, who actually had a dovetail competition with a master at Lie-Nielsen's headquarters. 

If that's not enough to get you excited, there will also be demonstrations by fellow toolmakers Tools for Working Wood, Brese Plane, MS Bickford, and Daed Toolworks as well as Exotic Lumber. We're anticipating a fun few days of learning, inspiration, and a healthy number of jokes about wood (hehe--sorry, NYE recovery's been slow going.) RSVP if you want in.

--Layla Schlack

MEMBER-MADE // Michael Wong's Brass Bronze Bark Dining Buffet

 

Back in May we showed you a wonderful Walnut Waterfall Table made by our very own Michael Wong, and now we're pleased to present another one of his amazing creations, an Antique Brass Dining Buffet with Bronze Birch Bark Doors.

A collaboration between Wong's ETHER Atelier and MR Architecture + Decor, this private commission features an exterior consisting of a light antique brass waterfall surround, natural bronze cast birch bark doors and metallic bronze lacquer. Inside you'll find ultra-suede silverware drawers as well as a remote-controlled security lock. We can't imagine a classier addition to one's dining room.

Wong has recently been exploring new techniques with bronze, and this piece brings together his expertise in woodworking and metal fabrication in a unique and profound way. He also got some assistance from 3rd Ward's ever-present network of support, including Lenin Hercules, Johnny White, Luis Herrera, Jamie Partington, Lee Stehly and Ellen Rosenberg.

Check out more images of this beauty after the jump and head to the ETHER Atelier website for more of Wong's superb work.

-- John Ruscher

MEMBER PROFILE // Ben Simon Combines Woodworking And Circuitry To Create Wild Instruments

GuitaR2D2

Popular Mechanics recently featured GuitaR2D2, the creation of 3rd Ward member and teacher Ben Simon, as one of "7 Awesome DIY Projects" from this summer's Maker Faire--and rightfully so. With an onboard drum machine, synthesizer, microphone and amps, GuitaR2D2 is something to behold, both musically and visually. But it's just one of Simon's many amazing creations. We caught up with him to find out more about his work. Hit the jump for more.

Simon's path to becoming a "gonzo inventor," as Popularly Mechanics aptly describes him, started when he got a job working in a wood shop. "Woodworking gave me a better way to communicate with alien sparrows and some insects than I could have ever imagined," he says. "I feel compelled to play music in a way that most aligns with the energy field that is these communications.  As you can probably tell, I'm still trying to figure it out!"

One of the hardest parts is an instrument's final setup. "I start with raw wood, cut fret slots and all that, and in the end it must be perfectly intonated, unless it's specified that it doesn't matter" Simon says. "It's tough and I've gotten close—I'm basically self taught. In the near future I hope to study with someone and acquire better tools."

There's a good chance that you may have encountered Simon in the subway, as that's one of his favorite places to jam with Guitar2D2, which he describes as his "one man band." "The subway has an amazing sound, and honestly I've never felt better while playing music, nor have I ever had such a warm response," he explains.

With such creativity and talent, Simon's work naturally hasn't been limited to the underground. He's even had the chance to create a piece for Paul Simon. The renowned songwriter's percussionist, Jamey Haddad, saw one one of Ben's wooden drums at Drummer's World in Times Square and asked him to build one as a gift for Paul. "Off the charts," Simon says of the experience. "It was really something else. Ya know he's just a regular guy but with the tremendous talent that's reached millions and millions of people for like millions and millions of years. Touched their hearts, reflected their lives with his music... My family are all fans and my last name is Simon too—what more could I ask for! It was like I was chosen to go to the Olympics. Everybody was watching!"

When Simon's not making instruments he's likely making music. Right now he's holding down organ duties for The Lisps, who'll be presenting a sci-fi/Civil War musical called Futurity that'll debut next year. "It's about a Civil War soldier/dreamer who creates a giant steam-powered machine to create peace and get him and everybody else out of war," he says. "The percussion alone will take you to crazytown.  I'm thrilled to be included."

Want to learn some of Simon's instrument-modding skills? Sign up for his class, Electric Guitar Rescue, which starts December 1.

Check out more of Simon's creations below.

Drum Table for Paul Simon

Five String Crooked Neck

Semi-hollow V with distortion and a wind-up music box that plays the theme from "Love Story"

Purple Heart and Mahogany keyboard with '80s Yahama keyboard circuit

Stroh-inspired guitar

-- John Ruscher

INNOVATION IN CRAFT // Michael Fleming's Driftwood Creations

 Photo Credit: Trent Bell for The New York Times

You may recognize Michael Fleming's name from a much-circulated article that appeared in the Times' towards the end of August.  The piece focused mainly on how Michael and his wife Jennifer (who share a combined annual income of $17,000) decorated their gorgeous 1800's house in Phippsburg, Maine for under $4000. Spefically: By turning to the town dump for virtually everything; their ironing board, flour sifter and coffee grinder, mirrors, tables, chairs, tablecloths, lamps and books.

Photo Credit: Trent Bell for The New York Times

An inspiring and impressive feat, we agree. But we found ourselves almost equally struck by Michael's compelling carpentry and sculpture, constructed almost exclusively from driftwood.  

Of his chosen medium, Michael tells us, "Working with driftwood is an unhurried process.  I can look through thousands of pieces and select only a few. Some of the material will sit in my yard for a year or more until it has achieved the desired color I'm looking for.  It's very different than driving to your local lumber supply and picking out what you need.  I simply search along the coast of Maine to find what I need.  Once the wood has the right color, I dry it in my solar kiln and from there I can work the material."

Michael shied away from more conventional carpentry jobs to start his own business, Designs Adrift, because he was "unsatisfied with traditional furniture."

"I needed to make more unique and beautiful objects rather than machines and common mass produced designs," he says.  "I feel very connected to nature working with driftwood and giving the wood a new life and purpose.  I [love] to create unique, beautiful objects with low technology and impact."

Right up our alley.  

Hit the jump to see a few more of Fleming's gorgeous creations. And for those who feel inspired, you might say 3rd Ward's got a few woodworking classes of our own.

Club Chair -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftSpring Tide -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftArey; Custom Driftwood Mirror -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftLinekin -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftRogue -- Courtesy: Designs Adrift-- Margaux Weisman

MEMBER FOLLOW-UP // David Yepez Featured In American Craft Magazine

You may have met woodworker and 3rd Ward member David Yepez in our PLAY NOW video back in June.  Yepez quit his job to join 3rd Ward and pursue his passion.  His Mingei Table -- made entirely from local wood -- was featured in the Aug/Sept 2011 issue of American Craft Magazine.  As were his words:

"As a furniture maker, I find the most important current events are the local movements in the New York City area.  My colleagues and I have made a conscious effort to only use locally available hardwood, lowering our carbon footprint by eliminating countless gallons of gas used by getting wood to our door."

You can read the entire article here and be sure to visit the website for his new furniture collective Re-Co Bklyn.  By partnering with local arborists, the three craftsmen involved can find out when a tree must be removed.  Rather than letting it be chipped and thrown in a landfill, they mill it for their unique and eclectic pieces.

-- Margaux Weisman

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Jacob Ruch's Salvaged Materials + Beautiful Furniture

Photo by Drew Kelly.Having recently moved to Brooklyn from California, designer and furniture maker Jacob Ruch didn't have to think much about where he'd continue his work.

"3rd Ward was a no-brainer with its well tooled wood and metal shops, and its surplus of creative energy," he says. "I was able to start taking commissions as soon as I touched down, and have already found inspiration in all the interesting work going on around me."

Working under the name REASON (inspired by his great uncle Reason Ruch), Ruch avoids waste in his designs, using salvaged materials and working with limited resources. "I try to keep it simple and clean, and push the boundaries of the 'reclaimed look,'" he says.

This approach gives his furniture both simple, refined beauty and a wealth of character.

Right now Ruch is working on a new line of wood and steel beds. "I do custom work, and I'm pushing to refine concepts for wider distribution," he says.

Take a look at some of Ruch's REASON furniture after the jump and keep up with his latest news and work on his website.