June 22 | Intro to Letterpress Printing (6 Weeks)

This course is the perfect introduction to letterpress printing. From its creation by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century until the 19th century, letterpress printing was the norm for printing text. Its use persisted in books and various applications until the late 20th century.

Letterpress printing evolved from simple platen presses, where paper was pressed onto an inked form, producing beautifully imprinted text and images. Over time, the flat platen was replaced by a roller in the flat-bed cylinder press, streamlining the process.

In 6 weekly sessions, students will develop foundational skills including hand setting metal and wood type, basic mechanics and proper use of presses, overview of materials (ink and paper), and community studio etiquette.

Students will learn how to set type with a composing stick, including adjusting letter and word spacing, building up type, and printing type with consistent impression. They will learn to print on our platen presses, including locking up in a chase, basic make ready to improve impression consistency, registration of multiple layers, and cleaning the press.

This class is great for creatives, graphic designers, writers, and anyone interested in exploring language as a visual medium.

July 26 | Studio Access Training: Letterpress

Studio Authorization is always required prior to attending your first Open Studio or becoming a Keyholder. Experience is required for all Studio Access Trainings.

Please take some time to read and ensure that you meet the minimum requirements stated below.

What Are Studio Access Trainings?

Studio Access Trainings ensure that those with have prior experience from school or another print studio will be proficient and confident using the equipment in our studio.

What you can expect:

These sessions are NOT lessons, but specifically for makers who already have thorough experience with similar equipment. 

Minimum Requirements to Become Authorized:

• Have recent experience with the equipment you would like to use (within 2 years)
• Have thorough experience with the equipment you would like to use (8-week class or equivalent; Experience required varies based on process and equipment).
• Be comfortable working independently.
• Demonstrate safe and clean printmaking or art-making habits.
• Demonstrate respect to our staff and our equipment.

If you do not meet these requirements, please enroll in a class that includes authorization or schedule a series of private lessons.

Studio Access Training: Letterpress

This 2-hour authorization will allow participants to be authorized to print on our platen presses (Pilot and Pearl) and Vandercook Press. Printers may need to book a second on-site session to be authorized for both types of presses.

Every letterpress authorization will ensure that printers are familiar with setting up the press, mixing inks, inking the press, adjusting pressure and registration, printing, and thorough cleaning of the press and all tools. There may not be time to practice printing both a polymer plate and movable type, but both methods can be reviewed as needed.

As with all our Studio Access Trainings, we will also cover equipment available to check out and press reservation policies.

August 10 | DIY Letterpress Cards (1-Day)

Join us for this fun, social workshop to see what letterpress printing is all about. During this workshop, you’ll be able to design and print your own greeting cards using vintage type and a traditional Vandercook press. The rich, tactile quality of ink pressed into paper will leave an impression on the lucky recipients of your handmade cards!

Each attendee will be able to choose from a variety of fonts in our collection. With these fonts, they will learn how to set and print their own short saying, phrase, or statement to create a professional and one-of-a-kind set of cards. Our Teaching Artist will share what moveable type is, how it works, why it’s so special, and how its invention changed the world.

This one-day workshop combines an overview of letterpress printing and its unique history with hands on making. It is a great way to try out a new craft and find out if you would love to learn the full process.