In 2005, at the end of his design program at the University of Oregon, Murray Sampson heard about a class doing letterpress. At that point, he had little idea of what it was, but thought, "Hey, I hear this is a good class so I'll give it a shot." What that started was a lifelong love of the art and craft of printing.
After graduation, Murray joined the Independent Publishing Resource Center in Portland, OR, to continue printing. The IPRC helped fill in some of the gaps in his knowledge and gave him a much needed creative outlet. He remained a member until leaving Portland in 2007.
Murray's print shop began initially as an extension of his design business, Sublime Point Design. In 2008 he purchased his first press, a Kelsey Excelsior 5x8, and ten cases of type. He set up a small studio (really small - 110 sq.) in Walla Walla, WA, and started Sublime Point Press. He created custom invitations and wine labels for Yellow Hawk Cellar, a craft winery in Walla Walla, WA, as well as greeting cards to give as gifts.
In 2008, Murray purchased his current press, a Chandler and Price 14x22, from a larger shop in Walla Walla. Unfortunately, lacking space for this press, he had to put it in storage for the next two-and-a-half years. In the meantime, he relocated to Seattle to complete a degree in library science and did some small print jobs on his Kelsey in the basement of his house.
In April of 2012, Murray reached out to other printers in the area and met Peggy Dow, a retired printer interested in keeping it up as a hobby. Murray and Peggy quickly found a space in "The Center of the Universe", the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. By May the C&P was moved up from Walla Walla and by June Murray was printing.
Today the shop has three motorized C&Ps, over 90 cases of type, Boxcar bases for printing from photopolymer plates, and more paper than there is room for. Murray's at the Fremont Sunday Market on the weekends and in the shop three days of the week. The balance of his time is spent helping teenagers find their next great read in a local high school and biking, rock climbing, and running.