Breaking Bread Vol. 1: The Nip of Tangency

The nip of tangency is the point where the cylinder press makes contact with the paper or material being printed on.

I had the profound joy of documenting and interviewing Judith Berliner, Owner of Full Circle Press, and her shop employees, Kiana and Nathaniel. Full Circle is a Nevada City acclaimed printing press with a bevy of clients ranging from Apple and Pixar to Celebrity Event Planners, Michelin Star California Restaurants, and local businesses.

Judith’s lifelong dedication to and expansive knowledge of the centuries-old craft of running printing presses, combined with her sparkling personality, has turned Full Circle Press into a legacy business that radiates with upbeat energy that can be felt in every corner of the two-story family-owned shop. It’s easy to see why her employees have long-running careers working under her acumen and kindness, and why clients become friends who overnight mail them Banana Pudding from Magnolia Bakery in NYC.

I left the interview with a belly full of a delicious lunch, courtesy of Full Circle, and my heart happy to have three new friends, and the assurance of all my future printing needs being met. Without further ado, here’s our three-part interview with accompanying pictures.

First Part of the Interview With Judith Berliner

AW: Here we go! For the record, I'm Anna Wick, and I'm sitting here with Judith Berliner. Thanks for your time, Judith! How would you describe your occupation to a layperson with five minutes to spare?

JB: I wear many hats here, but the goal is to put other people's vision onto paper. Prior to that is a conversation that has to do with estimating, landing the job, recommending papers that we might want to put their project on, and suggesting small changes they might want to make to have it print better, all for the goal of getting into the press room, shipped, and back into the customer's hands in a timely fashion.

AW: It sounds like over these last several decades, you've learned how to fine-tune that timeline and process, even if you know from start to finish, it's a lot of customer interaction.

JB: We juggle a lot. Depending on the kind of client they are. We do have favorites! There's usually time in the schedule to juggle a little bit, but most of our customers come in with a fairly tight time frame.

AW: What's a typical lead time for you that you would prefer versus what you get?

JB: We prefer at least two weeks to produce a job that we've probably talked about for likely three weeks. So that would make it five weeks. But on occasion, someone will call us and need something in New York tomorrow, and we can make that happen for the right amount of money.

AW: Amen to that. What was the draw towards your current career, where you sit as Owner of Full Circle Press?

JB: Well, I had worked in the printing field for quite a while. I worked in Sacramento for 13 years running printing presses and wanted to expand out from behind the press. I used to think sales looked kind of fun, but they had a certain kind of a sales team there that I wouldn't have ever fit the profile — they all looked like they walked out of Gentlemen's Quarterly.

AW: Can you elaborate on that a little bit? Were they male?

JB: They were men with fast cars who had long lunches with liquor.

AW: Sounds very Mad Men-esque.

JB: That's just what it was, it was, and it wasn't what I could have ever offered, but I felt that I could do more than just run a press. So then I created a small line of greeting cards after hours on the equipment at the place I worked out in Sacramento, which was called Graphic Center, and they were a hit right from the start. It launched me into coming back up to Nevada City to start my own business where I was born and raised. When I came back, I had two small children and did not want to put them into private schools. I wanted them to go through public school. My dad wanted me to come back up here and start a business with him, but I said, "I'll start my own."

AW: Which was a bold move. And, yeah, definitely very Full Circle. You had mentioned in our prior walk-through, that your Father is the one who taught you how to run a printing press. At what age did you learn?

JB: He was actually the District Attorney in Nevada County for 16 years, and had an active printing shop the whole time that printed Catholic greeting cards. He had eight children, so he had many people who worked for him. I was the fourth child in the family, and he decided I would make a good printer for whatever reason. So, I started working in the print shop alongside two other guys — they looked like old men to me. I now realize they were like, 24, and I was 14. He told me, if I had any questions, just to ask them. And I can remember thinking, "That's not going to happen." For the most part, I figured things out. But when I needed assistance, they were 100% there for me.

AW: I'm really happy to hear that they didn't discourage you from learning on the job and they were there for you. I'm curious, what did you get paid at the time?

JB: I got paid 50 cents an hour.

AW: Oh wow! What year was this?

JB: I was living at home. It was probably 1968.

AW: There's so much to pull out of that, but I love that. The thing that you learned when you were 14 did eventually come home to roost for you. And that it has resulted in this physical printing press that we're sitting in right now, and the list of clients that you've worked with. I don't know how comfortable you are naming some of the clients that you've worked with, but I'd love to share what you consider some of the highlights of your career.

JB: Thank you. One of the highlights of my career definitely was when we were able to print the memorials for Steve Jobs. It had to all happen really quickly, so we actually worked through the night. You would think that they would have had everything planned out, but they didn't. A friend of mine called and said that she had a friend who passed away. Did I have time to do memorials? And I said yes, and almost five minutes later, we got started getting notifications that Steve Jobs had passed away, so we knew that was the project.

AW: So, you got the call for this before Steve Jobs' death was publicly announced?

JB: Yes, because we were working with all of the people who were the closest to him internally at Apple. First of all, I appreciate what Steve Jobs did for the world. We've printed many memorials, but rarely has every person on the project been as affected, including us. And there were tears, absolutely. I was able to take a video on my brand-new iPhone when I was printing the memorials. And that was pretty special.

AW: Wow, that's wild to think about, yeah, just the advancement of technology still being honored by a system that is as ancient as a printing press, right? And you made a much more tangible thing, this printed memorial, and gave people a lasting impression to take home.

JB: Yes, there are some people in the design world, and in Silicon Valley, who are very appreciative of what happened with technology before them, and have a true love for letterpress printing, which I'm very grateful for.

AW: Letterpress printing has changed the course of the world as we know it. Thank God for books, for reading the written word, and putting one's voice out there in all different forms. I appreciate you talking about that. I know that you've worked with many impactful people, but every single job that comes through the doors of Full Circle Press you treat with as much reverence and respect as the next.

JB: That's true, and we've also done many projects with A Day in May Design to print their invitations. So we don't just have clients. We have friends.

AW: It sounds like most people are very satisfied with their experience with you and the team at Full Circle Press and become repeat clients.

JB: It's true, and it's fun to have Kiana here now, who's repeating for her second year, and Nathaniel too, who's been here for 8 years. We also had a great gift this week of banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery in New York. A happy client FedEx'd us four tubs of this banana cream pudding. So immediately, all three of us grabbed a spoon and shared one, then had one each to take home.

AW: Could you tell us what gets you out of bed on a typical weekday to make it into the printing press?

JB: I have to say, I love working here, and I love working with Kiana and Nathaniel. So it's not like I'm getting out of bed to go somewhere that I'm not happy, right? I'm happy here.

AW: I can see that radiating from you, and all the employees here, that you all love and genuinely enjoy what you do.

JB: There are enough things to keep our head in the game that we've put into place, even on the funky days.

AW: Where can we find you on the weekend here in Nevada City?

JB: I'm usually out at music venues or local plays. I love being at home, though, with my dog, just puttering around. It's one of my favorite things. After years of getting up every day and going somewhere else, I really appreciate what I've created here. Surprisingly, it feels like coming home to my youth—everything is so familiar.

AW: Did the shop exist when you were growing up? And was this house the one you grew up in?

JB: Yes, this was the house I grew up in, and the shop kept expanding. My dad would bring in the science teacher during the summer to help build it out.

AW: So he was always making improvements?

JB: Yes, little by little. When I first came back, I worked in just one room. As he slowed down, I gradually took over more space, until now we have this incredible area to work in.

AW: You've really made it your own—it's not just a workspace, but a home.

JB: Yes, it's very comfortable for me. It feels like a home, and I think the same goes for the people who work here. For example, this weird couch we're sitting on was my brother-in-law's. He thought someone might need it, and now it's here. It’s like a 1970s lounge couch, and I love it.

AW: I'm curious, have you experienced sexism in your career?

JB: Absolutely, it’s a male-dominated profession. But I just wanted to do what I liked. When I first got pregnant in 1986, I was nervous about telling the owners because they had never had a pregnant press operator. But I worked all the way until my due date with both pregnancies, and the guys were supportive. It took time to earn their respect, but I did.

AW: That must have been a big shift from the cultural norms back then, where women were expected to stay home after having a baby.

JB: Yes, it’s changed, but slowly. I see some progress through my kids and by working with Nathaniel and Kiana.

AW: You’ve already influenced the next generation through your own children and employees, like Kiana and Nathaniel. Bravo for sticking with it!

JB: I’ve always loved it, and it never occurred to me that I was out of place as a woman in the printing press. I just did what I did, and as I learned more, I realized how valuable that was.

AW: It sounds like the printing press didn’t try to discourage you from coming in or threaten your job when you were pregnant. They recognized you as a high-quality employee.

JB: Yes, they did. Eventually, I had to tell them they had a choice: it was either me or another man who worked there. I had a job lined up elsewhere, but they chose me.

AW: That’s amazing. It takes a lot of strength to stand up for yourself, especially in a male-dominated environment.

JB: Over time, they actually wanted me to be the spokesperson for the press room. I wasn’t afraid to speak up. I think a good blend of male and female energy benefits any business.

AW: Have you had experiences with positive reinforcement and encouragement in your career?

JB: Yes, over the years, I’ve received a lot of positive recognition. I’ve never felt like I didn’t fit in.

AW: That’s great. It sounds like you’ve really carved out a role for yourself, and you don’t feel the need to apologize for being good at your job, even as a woman.

JB: I never felt the need to apologize for being a woman. I just did what I did, and when I visited other companies, I could see the difference in energy. We have something special here.

AW: You’ve really created a unique and positive environment. If you could give advice to a younger version of yourself, what would it be?

JB: I’d tell myself to listen to my heart and make choices that make me happy. You can have happiness with enough, or you can have a lot of money without happiness. I’ve always been motivated by my heart, even if it didn’t follow the typical path.

AW: It sounds like you’ve built success in your own way, outside of the usual norms.

JB: I worked at a company that grew from about 25 employees to over 250, and what I learned is that bigger isn’t always better. Quality of life is more important to me than size.

AW: Exactly. We live in a capitalist society that equates success with bigger and more, but your small team here is producing incredible work. People come to you because they can feel that you truly care.

JB: Yes, and having a small team allows us to do a variety of things. None of us are doing the same job all the time. Kiana has the newest perspective on this, but I like it, and I don’t ask anyone to do something I haven’t done myself.

AW: That’s a true boss move! It’s impressive that everyone shares the labor equally.

JB: Yes, we all pitch in. I’m not great at running duplex printing, but if I had to, I could—though no one would want me to!

AW: It’s great that everyone knows their strengths and contributes where needed. Do you have a dog or a cat?

JB: I have a dog. His name is Charlie O’Brien. He’s a little fluffball from Madagascar, he's an immigrant, a rescue. He looks like the dog in See Spot Run, if you read that in Kindergarten, that little gray-and-white dog.

AW: How cute! I’m glad you have a dog by your side. So, what's your go-to coffee order?

JB: Coffee with cream and sweetener. Nothing fancy. I don’t usually buy coffee out, though. I make it at home or at the shop.

AW: That’s the way to save some dollars!

JB: Yeah, I don’t like old coffee. I’m a bit of a coffee snob, actually. I once had a boyfriend who suggested Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee, and I think that was the beginning of the end of that relationship!

AW: I agree entirely—if you’re going to get coffee, it needs to be good!

Second Half of the Interview With Kiana Kraft

AW: Alrighty, hello! Today I’m sitting here with:

KK: With Kiana Kraft.

AW: Kiana, How would you describe your occupation to a layperson?

KK: I’d say it’s letterpress printing. The follow-up question is usually, “Well, what is that?” So, I’d explain that it’s a historical form of printing that predates the digital printing we come into contact with.

AW: Yeah, I saw you guys use these old wooden letters and numbers, which is pretty incredible.

KK: Exactly! It’s a much more physical, hands-on type of printing. You literally press artwork and letters into paper using these old Heidelberg presses.

AW: I love that you refer to them by name. It really adds to its historical aspect.

KK: Yeah, it’s important. There’s a whole world of letterpress that I feel like I’m still learning about myself. This is my first year in it, and I’m coming from the graphic design world. There, you get everything ready and hand it off to the printer, and you’re pretty hands-off after that. So, switching to this side of it, getting more of the full picture has been really interesting

AW: I love that you bring that duality to your job—the design aspect and also the willingness to learn how to operate a printing press. I know I’d be lost, but it seems like you’re already pretty adept at it. Did you ever think you'd be operating a printing press at any point in your life?

KK: Honestly, if you’d asked me before I started working here, I would’ve said, “I don’t know, probably not.” But once everything fell into place, I was really excited about working with the presses. They’re a little intimidating because they’re big pieces of machinery, but once you get going, it feels surprisingly intuitive. I’m still very much in the beginning stages of learning. Nat (Nathanial), of course, has more experience with them than I do, and Judith is the master.

AW: It must be nice to work alongside your co-worker and boss, who’ve been doing this for decades, and draw on their knowledge. That’s gotta feel good.

KK: It’s a really supportive learning environment. Also, Ethan, who worked here for a long time before me, even came in to spend a day with me on the press, and I learned so much that day.

AW: He’s still a good friend who comes by sometimes, right?

KK: Yeah, he’s a great teacher. He’s really good at explaining things in a way my brain can understand. I need a mix of visual, verbal, and hands-on instruction to really grasp something

AW: You mentioned you’re a visual learner since you do graphic design. Do you see yourself expanding your role here and offering more graphic design work in-house at Full Circle Press?

KK: We do offer design work already. It’s on our website, but we don’t advertise it much since it’s more of a secondary offering. My goal is definitely to do more freelance work outside of Full Circle that I can bring in here.

AW: That sounds beautiful! So it’s happening?

KK: Yes, I’m in the process of working on that.

AW: Full Circle Press has been around for a while. When did Judith launch it?

Judith: The official start of Full Circle Press was May 13, 1991.

AW: What drew you to this career?

KK: My mom was a graphic designer back in the day before I was born. She’s always been very artistic. My dad is a kitchen designer, so art and design have always been a big part of my life. My mom was also very practical. She always encouraged me to prioritize being able to support myself, to never be in a position where I had to rely on someone else.

AW: So you were born and raised in California?

KK: I also grew up in Nevada City.

AW: Oh, really? This is a bit of a hometown for you, then.

KK: Yes! Exactly.

AW: It’s also a home for all three of you—living and working here.

KK: Yeah, it’s all come full circle. I found my way to graphic design because it felt like a way to connect to the art world while still being in a more secure, marketing-focused field, which has its pros and cons. Then, transitioning into the print world was kind of a natural progression. It really happened because I grew up here in Nevada City, and Nat, who was one of my close friends in high school, has been working here for years.

AW: I see he has had quite the connection here… He’s been here for quite some time, right?

KK: Yeah, he’s been here for, I think, eight years now. When I was studying design in college, he invited me to come in and print one of my projects on the press. He needed practice, so I came in, and we did it together. I thought it was fascinating—this really interesting process. I remember him walking me through the plate-making, the film, and how to set up the files.

AW: I was lost during our photoshoot, but it’s just such an insanely beautiful process.

KK: It is. It was fascinating to see it all come together. Over the years, we’ve joked about working together someday. So when the opportunity came up, I just knew I had to take it.

AW: That tactile experience of seeing your design come to life from start to finish must be incredible.

KK: It really is. It’s a full-circle moment in itself.

AW: I know Nat has his own personal story about how he came to work here, but it seems like everyone who works here is really touched by the process. It’s not just a job where you say, “Oh, that was cool, but it’s not for me.” It feels like people really stay connected.

KK: Yeah, there have been a lot of people who’ve come and gone over the years, but it seems like everyone who’s worked here has had a genuine connection to the work. It’s been really meaningful for me.

AW: Kiana, can you tell us what gets you out of bed on a typical weekday?

KK: I mean, kind of going off of what Judith said, I really do feel Judith's passion for what she does, and I think that's a huge part of why working here feels so good. She clearly cares about what she does, and that makes me care about it, too. Of course, it’s interesting work, but the real drive is the people, especially Judith and Nathanial. It’s rare to find a job where you feel treated like a human being, not just a cog in a corporate machine.

AW: Right, no one wants to feel like they’re just a number.

KK: Exactly. Judith values work-life balance, and that’s something I’ve really appreciated here. My mental health has improved because I have that balance, which has made it easier to get up in the morning. It’s a huge reason why I stay.

AW: Choosing your mental health over everything is always the right move. When that’s right, the rest will fall into place.

KK: Totally. Having that balance just makes everything feel more valuable.

AW: And you're entering your second season here, right?

KK: Yes, and it still feels really special. It genuinely feels like family here. We joke that Judith is our work mom.

AW: Could Judith be my Mom, too?

KK: Haha, definitely. And it’s so much more genuine because Judith is just an authentic person. That’s also why we have the clients we do—they keep coming back because she’s a joy to work with. She works extremely hard to bring any vision to life, even though letterpress can be so different from digital printing. It takes a lot of physicality and a lot of patience, but it’s part of the charm.

AW: I'm sure that's a physicality to letterpress printing jobs that people don’t always understand. But there’s a beauty in it, too.

KK: Exactly. And while we work with clients to find solutions, there are limitations—Our machinery can only print so big, after all.

AW: It must be satisfying to work with all those elements, especially on big projects like wedding invitations or special event packages. Do you have any favorite projects from the past year?

KK: It’s hard to pick a favorite, because each project is interesting in its own way. I love personal projects I’ve done, but in terms of client work, I really enjoy the bigger ones—like when we have to assemble a whole package with multiple pieces. It might sound tedious, but I find it fun. There’s something satisfying about imagining how the final product will be unwrapped for these cool events.

AW: So, you're putting everything together by hand—assembling five pieces to a celebrity wedding invite, for example?

KK: Exactly. Not everyone asks for that extra work, but I enjoy it when they do. It’s very satisfying to see all the pieces come together.

AW: Totally. And outside of work, where do you find yourself on the weekends? Aside from dining at Alice Waters’ restaurant, Chez Panisse of course.

KK: Basically, I’m just outside, out in nature. Being in Northern CA, especially where Full Circle is located, is such a gift. I love walking through the forest, seeing chestnuts to collect and roast for my pastas, or catching sight of a deer jumping over the fence. Being so close to nature brings me massive amounts of joy.

AW: It sounds like it really fills your cup by being in nature. It’s something a lot of creative professionals don’t always get to experience, so milk it for all it’s worth!

KK: Yeah, it’s a huge privilege. I love being so close to the forest, where I don’t have to drive far to get to places. I used to live in Sacramento, which I love, but this is different—it’s about being right in the middle of nature.

AW: The access to both the beach and the mountains living in CA is unmatched.

KK: Absolutely. California is amazing in that way. You can be at the beach in two hours or the mountains in one. It’s just so versatile.

AW: And it’s such a creative environment, too, drawing inspiration from the diversity and cultural differences here.

KK: Yes! And living in a historic place like Nevada City makes it even more special. It’s one of the oldest gold country towns and has so much history here. There’s also a very active indigenous community here, the Nevada City Nisenan, who raised enough money this year to buy a large plot of land for a homeland return.

AW: That’s incredible. It’s amazing how much history and culture is preserved in places like this.

KK: Exactly. And as an adult, you get to appreciate it on a different level. It’s definitely shaped my perspective.

AW: California has a complicated past, but it’s heartening to see things changing and growing in a more positive direction. Have you had any personal experiences with sexism in your career?

KK: I’ve never felt personally discriminated against for my gender, mainly because I’ve always sought out women-led spaces. I’ve never had a male boss, and that was very intentional.

AW: That’s inspiring! So many people don’t get to choose their work environment that way.

KK: It’s a privilege. But of course, just because it’s a woman-led environment doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges.

AW: Absolutely. It’s a lesson everyone can benefit from.

KK: I’ve always prioritized being in women-dominated spaces, though. I feel comfortable there, but I do think a balance is important. It’s beneficial to diversity in a workplace. Different perspectives are essential for growth, and when a workplace culture becomes too homogeneous, it can miss out on valuable insights.

AW: I agree. Having both male and female energy is optimal. It keeps things balanced and open to new ideas. I've worked in male-dominated spaces before, and I’ve learned how crucial diversity is for creativity.

AW: Absolutely. So, going back to your own journey, have you had positive reinforcement in your career?

KK: Definitely. Judith has been an incredible influence. My mom, too—she’s always been supportive, teaching me not to focus on the guardrails. That’s probably why I never saw them in the first place.

AW: I love that! We need more generations of women who don’t see those guardrails and pass that mentality on to the next generation.

KK: Absolutely. It’s important to keep breaking down those barriers for future generations.

AW: If you could give advice to a younger version of yourself, what would you say?

KK: That’s a tough one. I think I’d just let her figure things out as she goes. I wouldn’t want to change anything because the journey is important.

AW: I completely understand that. Sometimes, we have to let ourselves go through those life lessons

Last Half of the Interview With Nathaniel Cartmell

AW: What about you, Nathaniel? Is there anything you want to add about your experience here, or any testimonials about your work?

NC: Yeah, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Judith is a great teacher, and Ethan is as well. But one thing that stands out about working here is that I originally went to school for something completely different—I was training to become a police officer. When I started here, the climate for police officers was pretty bad, and I thought I’d do this in the interim, but working here has been really fulfilling for me. I’ve never been good at traditional school, but you learn here by example and word of mouth. Judith and I also have very similar relationships with our fathers, so she became the perfect teacher for me. What’s unique about this place is that you don’t sit in a classroom learning how to run a press.

AW: Yeah, you can only read about it so much before you actually have to put ink to paper.

NC: Exactly. You kind of become a product of the people you learn from. It’s very parental in a way, because you're learning from them, and they learned from someone else. There are little tweaks along the way, but it’s a lot of hands-on guidance with the printing press.

AW: That sounds really special. You’re learning from people who have been in the industry, and the guidance you get is practical, not just theoretical.

NC: Yeah, and it’s also special because Judith and I have the same mentality regarding getting things done. We don’t focus on what we can’t do; it’s all about what we can do.

AW: You guys are really killing it. It sounds like you’re doing the best you can do. What’s your favorite press to operate in the building?

NC: Well, Judith says that the press in the far right corner is my press. But that's just because everyone else is afraid of it. Yeah, it’s like Frankenstein at this point. We’ve taken parts from other presses and put them into that one. It’s like Frankenstein’s monster now. Presses really test you constantly and take a special touch. It’s like that pair of pants you keep mending because the seam keeps ripping. You can’t entirely throw them out because they’ve been with you for so long.

AW: Well, thank you for your time, Nat!

Many thanks again to Full Circle Press for sharing an afternoon with me to capture these images and answer my questions!