This class is for those looking to learn the core foundations of letterpress printing here at the shop, using our collection of historic wood type as inspiration! Ideal for anyone who would like to make their own work here in the future, or for curious beginners who want an overview of the basics while making tangible print-work together.
- *note: if you are looking for our letterpress certification to become a Bindery Member, head back to the calendar and join our two-part "Letterpress Technics" course. This class is more for a fun intro to the practice and making some posters together! It does not include the full training you need to be certified. Want to take both? No problem. Students in this class recieve a voucher for 25% off Letterpress Technics if taken within two months.
Letterpress 101 is a good mix of technical info, and inky fun, the class covers how to typeset several simple lines, get them properly aligned and locked up for printing, followed by the details of our Vandercook press set up and use. The class will collectively decide the poster's message and style, using words and fonts they choose collaboratively.
Students can expect to learn:
- Basic tools and terminology to orient them to our shop and process.
- How to set up several lines of wood type for poster printing as a collaborative process.
- How to check the press’ ink roller height.
- The importance of the tympan and packing paper.
- How to use furniture, quoines and magnets to get type set on the press.
- Inking up the press with rubber-based ink.
- How to set up proper paper feeding for correct registration.
- Proper press carriage use and process to pull a print correctly.
Each student will have a hands-on chance to help set up and print several copies of the poster, and will leave with several copies of their own. Plus, participants will gain the baseline knowledge needed to envision and create their own wood type posters in the future.
