New typeface Graft summons the spirit of the North

Graft is a condensed face designed by Leeds studio Split as a display face for its giant People Powered Press – recognised by Guinness as the largest letterpress printing press in the world.

The letterforms take inspiration from the north’s rich industrial heritage, using the shape of the cross section of a steel I-beam as their starting point. And now the typeface has been expanded for digital release in four weights and with an extensive character set.

Split has collaborated with paper company Fedrigoni and printers Pressision to create a sampler for Graft, which comes in a zip-perf folder, holding a singer stitched booklet and fold out poster that tells the story of the typeface’s design and how the People Powered Press came to be.

The sampler is printed throughout in black and metallic silver. Split has also created a limited edition set of prints using Graft on the People Powered Press.

The four fonts, the sampler and the prints are all available from Split’s shop. Proceeds from sales will be used to support the People Powered Press and its work.