The story of Bella Figura
Who we are: a team of 20 employees // dozens of cast iron presses // letterpress love fools // ink-in-the-blood printers // a letterpress shop that does stuff to help the planet // housed in a hundred-year-old warehouse on the outskirts of downtown Syracuse // we create heirlooms // this is our passion and our life and our love
What we see from our windows: overwhelming sunsets // train tracks // a parking lot // the tops of trees // painted brick warehouses // the spires of far away churches // yellow fire hydrants // downtown // crows moving on
Why live here in Syracuse NY: the maples turning into fabulous reds // snow drifts and snowmen and moon-lit snow // feasts of grapes, plums, peaches, nectarines // a grand vibrant farmers' market // the Finger Lakes wineries // no rush hour no // blueberry season // Cortland apples // our gritty beautiful artist warehouse with crooked floors and much character
What we dream about: heavy antique presses // strong inks // large bodies of calm water // a guy named Gutenberg // a tea house in the Rockies // world peace // 27 hour days // spring // a rich deep impression of type
We will never grow sick of: watching lake effect snow fall // picnic lunches in mountain passes // good typography // rereading Bleak House // calligraphy // watching our presses do their stuff
What do you love: upstate New York // letterpress // the planet // cast iron // 1950's well-crafted machinery // a secret waterfall 30 minutes southeast of here // perfection // poetry // nightstands crammed with books // businesses that do good // craft traditions // rich inks
Cool people we've printed for: the Whitney // the Mandarin Oriental Hotel // New York Fashion Week // Barnes and Noble // Republic of Tea // Hickory Chair // Little, Brown and Company // Sony BMG (their Grammy after party invitations) // Nascar too // our bridal clients! // our work has been in Martha Stewart Weddings, Modern Bride, Bride's, and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style also
Our family: sister company = Smock // (Smock's wedding invitations + boxed stationery sold in nice stores worldwide) // parent company = Boxcar Press
