Letterpress Card: Happy Birthday Shorthand Greeting

The black symbols on this letterpress greeting card represent the phrase, "Happy Birthday.” They are printed in the language of shorthand, which was used in the Mid-Twentieth Century workplace by secretaries. After using these symbols to take dictation from "the boss," secretaries would then create typed business documents from their recorded shorthand notes.

Water Cooler Press strives to flip that tradition.

Instead of the secretary’s notes being hidden away in an office drawer, this design foregrounds the overlooked and undervalued voices of secretaries from a by-gone era. Printed on a 120-year-old proof press, this 4.25 (Height) by 5.5 (Width) inch greeting card (blank inside!) helps to recognize the past while applying itself to the present. Search for “watercoolerpress” on Instagram to follow the design process and to learn shorthand with the “Shorthand Shorts” video tutorial series.