At work with: Bay View Printing Co.

It’s a sleepy Thursday afternoon, and printer, typesetter, and “poster boy” Lucas Hennessey is in the basement of Bay View Printing Co., 2702 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, giving card stock to Jean: a 75-year-old Chandler & Platinum typography award.

“This is where the ink is applied,” says Hennessey, using a palette knife to spread the ink on a record. “The rollers keep spinning, so every time they go up, they evenly distribute the ink that’s on the disc.”

As Jean hums, Ashley Town, owner of the 105-year-old letterpress printing plant, answers questions from designers Daniela Valle Chavelas and Alison Kleiman as they design wedding invitations that will soon be transferred to photo-polymer plates and put into Hennessey’s hands.

At a time when digital printing is king, Bay View Printing Co. has maintained a loyal and growing customer base by combining modern design techniques with centuries-old craftsmanship, manufacturing everything from cards and coasters printed on premium paper. foil to posters printed with larger wooden letter blocks. than the palm of your hand.