If you've ever browsed a Japanese bookstore, chances are you've stumbled upon Gakken's "Otona no Kagaku" (Adult's Science) magazine series. These kits are all about "learning by playing," offering fun science experiences that let adults rediscover the curiosity and joy of hands-on exploration, just like when they were kids.
And now, "Otona no Kagaku" is dropping a new kit: the "Otona no Kagaku: Knowledge Player Hobby Magazine Selection 07: Mini Letterpress Printing Machine Kit." This bad boy comes in two flavors: a "Standard Edition" and an "Amazon Exclusive Type Expansion Edition." The Standard Edition will run you 5,280 JPY (tax included), while the expanded Amazon version is 7,150 JPY (tax included). Pre-orders kicked off on May 15, with the official release set for July 10.
This mini letterpress machine isn't entirely new; it's an upgraded re-release of a past "Otona no Kagaku" hit, giving anyone who missed out a second chance to snag one!
Assembling the machine itself takes roughly 30 minutes, and even if you're a total newbie to model building, the included video tutorial makes it a breeze. The box even comes packed with business card-sized paper and black ink, so you can dive straight into printing the moment it arrives! Want to get wild with colors? You can totally swap out the ink for watercolors – talk about creative freedom!
▼ Check out the demo video!
The "Standard Edition" includes a whopping 306 pieces of movable type across 6 categories: Hiragana, Katakana, English alphabet, numbers, punctuation, and decorative lines and patterns. The fonts chosen are the highly readable and aesthetically pleasing "Shuei Mincho" and "Century." With these, you can craft truly unique business cards, small notes, or even add decorative flair to make your designs pop!
But if you're looking to go pro, the "Amazon Exclusive Type Expansion Edition" is where it's at! It boasts three times the amount of type pieces compared to the standard version, plus an enhanced ink roller for super easy color changes, a dedicated type storage box, and specialized tweezers. This means a more professional and smoother printing experience all around!
Both kits also come with a detailed instruction book that guides you through every step, from assembly to project examples. It's incredibly beginner-friendly, but it doesn't stop there! The book also dives into advanced techniques, like printing with resin plates, and even features an interview with a long-standing printing house, letting you deep-dive into the fascinating world of letterpress.
There's something undeniably charming about these retro-inspired kits from "Otona no Kagaku." If you're into the tactile feel of paper, love hands-on crafts, or want to create truly distinctive cards and business cards, this kit might just be your next obsession!
via： PR TIMES