Introduction to Letterpress Workshop In-Person
Letterpress printing is a form of relief printing that uses moveable blocks to create text forms. An analogue precursor to modern printing, letterpress offered a huge leap forward in the ease of disseminating the written word. In this 90-minute workshop in the Farallon Book Arts Lab, we will explore the materials, typography, and limits of letterpress to introduce students to the rich print quality and aesthetic possibilities of this historic print modality.
The class will start with an overview of movable type, images and print terminology. Then students will participate in two stations, and then switch halfway through. The class will be split into an A and B group. One group will look through historic book materials as selected by Special Collections and University Archives which have been chosen for their relevance to either book history, printmaking or artist book creation. The second group will be working on press to print a poem, poster or other ephemera, as selected and set by the Master Printer. Each student will get to to print a copy to keep while getting guided through the lock-up, inking, printing and cleaning process. The groups will switch so every student gets both experiences.
No experience required. Free. All welcome.
Related LibGuide: Book Arts Space: Pre-Visit Learning by Heather Dean
- Date:
- Thursday, October 2, 2025
- Time:
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Pacific Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Book Arts Lab (Room 086)
- Library/Gallery:
- Mearns Centre for Learning - McPherson Library (LIB)
- Audience:
- Faculty and instructors General public Graduate students Library staff Open to everyone Undergraduate students UVic staff
- Categories:
- Farallon Book Arts Lab