The Masters
ABOUT US>
At La Linterna Cali Ltda, we’ve been dedicated to the millennia-old craft of artisanal poster printing since 1934. Our workshop specializes in linocut engraving and movable type, crafting both vibrant poster-murals for cultural and social events, and individual artistic pieces that grace homes and exhibition halls alike.
Each poster isn’t just a print; it’s a genuine work of art that embodies the spirit of traditional printing and engraving. Step into our workshop in Cali’s San Antonio neighborhood, and you’ll discover a living history, with at least five antique machines like the Marinoni Letterpress (Paris, 1870), Reliance Letterpress (New York, 1890), Rapido di Lusso from Societá Nebiolo (Turin, Italy, 1934), Heidelberg (Germany, 1954), and a Diamond Guillotine (New York, 1940) actively used every day.
The year 2016 brought a serious economic crisis, pushing our workshop to the brink of closure and threatening the very existence of this traditional craft. But in 2017, a determined group of cultural promoters and graphic artists stepped in. They developed a unique educational strategy, connecting the ancient wisdom of letterpress printing with contemporary design and graphic art. As our master, Olmedo Franco, wisely observed, “La Linterna is magic; just when its light seems about to dim, it unexpectedly flares up again.” This time, it’s illuminating a path forward with a new generation, keen to explore the rich knowledge embedded in the art of printing and typography.
Maestro Olmedo Franco Romero
Printer in charge of the Reliance Typographic Press in New York in 1890, engraver, designer and workshop administrator.
Maestro Jaime Enrique García
Printer in charge of the Marinoni typographic press of France 1870, engraver and designer.
Maestro Héctor Otalvaro
Printer and engraver in charge of the Marinoni Typographic Press and the Heidelberg Typographic Printing House.
Maestro Olmedo Franco Romero
Maestro Jaime Enrique García
Impresor a cargo de la prensa tipográfica Marinoni de Francia 1870, grabador y diseñador.
Maestro Héctor Otalvaro
Impresor y grabador a cargo de la Prensa tipográfica Marinoni y la imprenta tipográfica Heidelberg.
Daniel David Otalvaro
Diseñador, grabador experto, auxiliar de prensa. Hijo de Héctor y Amparo.
Dilan Franco López
Diseñador, grabador experto, auxiliar de prensa. Nieto de Olmedo y de Aleyda.
Aleida Otalvaro
Administración de la tienda y Bodega de carteles, servicio al cliente.
Ximena Rodríguez
Encargada de la tienda física y servicio al cliente. Sobrina de Héctor y Aleyda.
Carlos Arturo Solís
Auxiliar de tienda física, encargado de retablos y servicio al cliente.
Rosa Ortega
Administradora de tienda virtual, redes sociales y atención al cliente.
Fabián Villa
Gestor de Proyectos