4. Repurposed Vintage Wooden Printer’s Tray for Small Findings & Inks
Introduction Vintage wooden typesetting drawers and letterpress trays bring rustic charm and historic character to tiny spaces.
What This Idea Means Found at flea markets and antique shops, these compartmentalized wooden drawers naturally contain dozens of micro-sections. Mounted vertically, they store small artist essentials like ink bottles, carving tools, washi tape, pastels, nibs, and wax seals.
Materials Needed
- 1 authentic vintage wooden letterpress/printer drawer
- Fine sandpaper and beeswax polish
- 2 heavy-duty D-ring picture hangers
- Small brass labels or card stock inserts
How to Make It
- Clean the old wood thoroughly, sand away splinters, and treat with beeswax polish to enrich the patina.
- Attach D-ring picture hangers firmly to the upper back corners of the heavy outer frame.
- Mount securely into wall studs to support the weight of the solid timber.
- Sort small items into individual slots: calligraphy nibs, individual half-pans, carving blocks, and miniature ink jars.
Tips and Variations
- Paint the inside of select compartments in pale tones to highlight special tools.
- Add tiny brass cup hooks under the lower edge to hang palettes and measuring tapes.
- If horizontal space allows, place the tray flat inside a desk drawer as an organizer.
