The ability to have a fresh take on design with a limited set of resources is an amazing skill that simply knocks our socks off, each time we set foot inside Hammerpress in downtown Kansas City. The subtle beauty that's woven into each handmade piece, often times leaves us staring in amazement. Take a tour of their space and check out a behind the scenes video with owner Brady Vest, trust us when we say, you don't want to miss this.
Hammerpress has been steadily gaining speed in the design world over the last several years. They've been a functioning design studio (starting out with just one man and one press) since 1994, but thanks to the internet, they've become a household name in more than just Kansas City.
They sell everything from hand pulled posters and prints to cards for every occasion. Recently they opened their doors to selling local artisanal foods as well. They have a hair salon inside (they we thought we'd spare the person getting a trim and leave that picture out) and you can even peer back into the workroom where they're constantly working away to create something new and amazing.
Watching the letterpress process is quite humbling. To see all the type being handset and having to think outside the box with your design while still being confined by certain parameters is an art to be respected for sure. Their store itself was created from bits of scrap lumber, transformed into shelving, tables and more. The space feels as harmonious as their work and is a true escape from the typical downtown sights.
Their online store is always open, make sure to stop by!
Hammerpress Letterpress & Design
110 Southwest Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 421-1929
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
(Images: Sarah Rae Trover)
Tina Wilson's Striking Style 
30 DIY Projects for the 3-Day Weekend
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Dunes & Duchess Can...
20 Scrumptious Brunch Recipes 
Magic One-Ingredient Ice Cream 5 Ways: Peanut Butter, Nutella, and More
Comments (5)
I love Hammerpress. As a KC native, I always attend our 'First Friday' art gallery openings, and always go by the Hammerpress studio. Their work is inspiring!
Also, thank you for featuring KC artists....we often get over-looked.
Their work is amazing and their studio is enviously fantastic!
Of course, more pix of the letterpress equipment would've been great, but I fear I would've drooled all over my keyboard.
: )
I too stop in there on First Fridays. FF's have gotten a lot busier @ Hammerpress over the years.
Their studio and work reminds me of Yee Haw Industries in Knoxville. What a nice space!
I interned in KC 6 years ago and ran into Brady's press. It was glorious and as I was short on money at the time, Brady gave me what I guess can be considered an "enthusiasm discount" After 6 years I still have the postcards, book marks and little prints (and a gift tag that I never wanted to part with!) displayed in the hallway of my first home! Great guy and great mind! I saw his print one day at a World Market on a bottle of wine and recognized the cowboy print as his. Awesome!