Page 67 - MOKAZINE 2 ENG

discover moka
2020/ NO. 2 /MOKAZINE 65
Born in Montagne Ory, 58-year-old
Richard Précieux started his career in the printing industry in 1988 as a messenger at Kalygraphia, in Coromandel. He was immediately struck by the printing presses and wanted to learn to use them. “Roule-roule, monn arive konn tou masinn (Little by little, I learned to
use all the machines),” he proudly says. His determination and perseverance quickly earned him the position of Senior Printer, that he
held for 20 years before becoming the proud owner in 2008 of Richard Printing, a local craft printing company.
Richard has had the support of his wife and partner, Myta from the onset and printing has become both his livelihood and passion. Their two old machines are the couple’s main assets and they have restored this art to its former glory.
There is a 19th century letterpress printer by the entrance of the print shop. It is used for cutting and embossing, among others. Richard hand-sets lead type on a plate which is then pressed on the paper to produce a print. He uses this technique to print baptism cards or brioche bags for first communion, among others.
Within one metre from the letterpress printer, there is an offset press manufactured in the third quarter of the 20th century. The machine can print only one side of the sheet at a time
– it is ideal for printing brochures, posters, calendars, etc. When Richard receives an order, he prepares the text on a computer (which is faster as letterpress would take 3 hours!) before using the offset press for printing.
Richard grabbed the opportunity to buy these timeless machines. He chose them firstly for their versatility, then for their strength and everlasting soul. “Sa bann laparey-la, nouvo pou vini, pa pou kav fer seki zot fer. Dayer, mem kan nou pou nepli la, zot zot pou ankor roule mem (New printing presses won’t be able to do what they do. These machines will continue to operate even after we are gone)!” says Richard. He takes great pleasure to print his work with his own hands, even if he admits to using new technologies from time to time!
Traffic Centre, Saint Pierre 5750 4641 [email protected]