This artist’s publication, Small Prints, gathers a sequence of unique letterpress monoprints made by Dutch graphic designer Karel Martens between 2014 and 2022. Known for his playful experiments with form, color, and chance, Martens here works with geometry and rhythm to create prints that are both rigorous and joyful. The works are reproduced at actual size, so every page captures the vivid detail and texture of the original impressions.

Subtle textual elements accent the abstract shapes and layered repetitions, inviting readers to look closely and discover new variations with every turn of the page. Small Prints also reflects Martens’s fascination with process: the book comes in two different cover versions, each the result of a printing experiment. By layering three passes of ink across a single sheet—later cut and folded—unexpected variations emerged, making each edition slightly unique.

This publication is both a compact survey of Martens’s ongoing exploration of letterpress monoprinting and a collectible object in its own right—perfect for design lovers, artists, and anyone drawn to the beauty of process.

Details

Measures 17 × 24 cm
Counts 48 pages

Karel Martens (b. 1939) is one of the most celebrated figures in Dutch graphic design. For over six decades, he has explored color, chance, and abstraction, often repurposing printing forms, found materials, and typographic fragments into playful, improvised compositions. His influence extends far beyond his own studio—he co-founded the Werkplaats Typografie master’s programme and is currently the subject of a major retrospective at the Stedelijk Museum, Karel Martens – Unbound.

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