Jen Farrell found her way into letterpress printing through Chicago's 90s DIY scene, the same scrappy, supportive community of musicians, makers, and artists that helped shape Busy Beaver! She opened Starshaped Press in 1999, and over two decades later, is still dedicated to using her art to connect and uplift her community.
Read on to hear how she cares for her enormous antique type collection, what she's learned from two decades of running a small business, and why some projects are worth the wait.
Busy Beaver: Both Starshaped Press and Busy Beaver were born out of the 90s DIY movement, was there a specific "ah ha!" moment when you realized that this process of making was the right path for you?
Jen Farrell: I always knew I wanted to work with my hands in a creative field, which is a challenge at any time, but particularly in the 90s design arena, when everything was focused on developing the look of the internet. Finding the DIY crowd in Chicago, which was supportive in so many different endeavors (music! art! publishing!), was the inspiration to go for it.
BB: You’ve navigated the creative industry for over two decades now. Looking back at when you started your own shop in 1999, what is one piece of advice you’d give to small business owners today?
JF: Get an accountant. :) You don’t work in a vacuum in a creative field. Draw on your community to get support, feedback, resources, etc.
BB: Yes to all of this! It’s amazing how much our community has shaped who we are as a company too!
BB: Your work is deeply intertwined with Chicago and its people. You’ve mentioned a desire to reinvest in your community by working with normal people. Why is it so important to you to keep your art accessible to everyday folks?
JF: Everyday folks are the people I see in the neighborhood every day; we take the CTA together, get coffee together, and face the same challenges together. If my work meaningfully connects with this crowd vs. potential corporate clients, it’s easier to put more passion and effort into it. Working with me on a print project may be the only print project that person ever purchases. I want it to be special.
BB: How do you decide which projects to take on, and how do you ensure the collaboration stays true to your artistic voice?
JF: I work in a very particular, niche area. It’s only letterpress printing with antique type and materials, meaning the projects must be made with what I have in the shop. This may feel limiting to some working in a digital sphere. To me, it’s a challenging set of parameters that preserves the tools and production methods of the past for a new audience. My job is to clearly communicate this with potential clients. If the process isn’t a good fit for their project, I try to suggest other avenues that would be better.
BB: As a self-proclaimed Luddite, you are famously committed to using only metal and wood type. No plastic plates or digital shortcuts. What is it about these traditional materials that keeps you inspired?
JF: These materials bring me so much joy. You can see decades, and sometimes centuries, of decisions made by humans: the design of a typeface or ornament, the challenges overcome by creating it, the issues surrounding the influx of new materials and tech, and so much more. I love being the current caretaker of this collection, knowing I’m not the first and hopefully not the last. Physical type forces me to slow down and really connect with the process, making me a more thoughtful designer.
BB: Your library of ornaments is legendary. With thousands of tiny metal pieces at your disposal, how do you keep track of your inventory, and how often do you find yourself digging through the archives to find a lost character that finally fits a new project?
JF: The collection is pretty painstakingly organized in a way that makes sense for my process. The type and ornament is all proofed (black and white prints of each item) so there’s a visual record as well as names that can go in spreadsheets. Then every case, box and galley is labeled with what’s inside. As well as I know the collection, there’s always a stinker that ends up in the wrong place and sends me on a hunt. I am also discriminating in what I bring into the shop, only selecting things that will accent what I do. Space is at a premium here in the city!
BB: Of all the posters, prints, and projects that have come off your press over the years, do you have a personal favorite that stands as a definitive Starshaped piece?
JF: I have a few, probably 1-2 projects from each year. Some are small and some are big, as it’s often the collaboration that matters most. I’m about to start another poster for the band Ida, which is really meaningful for me. Hearing and seeing them play early on in my DIY-inspired print shop inspired me to be a part of a bigger community. Printing for them 25+ years later feels very full circle.
BB: We know you’re a fan of tangible goods! How do you use the custom stickers you get from Busy Beaver to supplement your letterpress work?
JF: I use them in any way I can! People love buttons and stickers. I often order them as a supplement to my monthly Print Club, using art from an item featured that month. I also love them for my packaging, like the one that says Thanks For Supporting A Small Business Today! People love to see this on their mail, as it emphasizes how meaningful that sale was and the care that went into it.
BB: As a fellow Chicago-based creator, what made you choose Busy Beaver to help bring your designs to life in a different physical format, and what do you value most in a local production partner?
JF: I feel like we grew up together! Running a small business is a huge challenge and I want to support the folks putting in the work every day. I also want to keep my dollars in the local community as much as possible, which is easy to do when the business I support is communicative and helpful.
BB: What is currently sitting in your type cases or living in your head that hasn’t been brought to life yet? Is there a complex layout or a specific historical ornament you’re just waiting for the right moment to unleash?
JF: There is… but it’s in waiting. I recently acquired a pretty substantial collection of 19th century type that needed intense cleaning, proofing and labeling. That job is almost done and there’s a poster waiting for it. It might be the most challenging thing I’ve taken on, as 19th century type was largely made before the establishment of the point system, making it a little more difficult to work with.
BB: For the fans reading this who want to bring a piece of Starshaped history into their own homes, what’s the best way for people to support your work or join your community?
JF: The website is a great place to start, as it shows both larger projects and ephemera that’s for sale. The Print Club is one way to get items delivered directly to you on a monthly basis. And The Weekend Printer blog is where I share tips and tricks for aspiring letterpress printers. For printmakers of all sorts, the Chicago Printers Guild is a welcoming and vibrant community that puts you in touch with shops across the city.
BB: You can also follow her on Bluesky @starshapedpress.bsky.social or Instagram @starshapedpress.
Jen's work is proof that the best craft takes time, and that showing up for your community pays off over decades. Whether you're making stickers for a mail club, or want to give your customers some buttons to share the love, we’re here to help bring your designs to life too!
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