Letterpress I: Basic Press Operation and Maintenance

Event Info

This two-day, in-person workshop takes place at CBA on Saturday and Sunday, October 28 – October 29, 2023 from 10:00 am–4:00 pm.

  • Saturday, October 28, 10am–4pm
  • Sunday, October 29, 10am–4pm

Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on October 21st, 2023 at 11:59pm.


About the Workshop:

This in-person beginner’s course on letterpress printing is taught by artist and CBA Instructor Sarah Nicholls.

Letterpress is one of the oldest forms of printmaking and it is a versatile asset to the book artist in the production of editions, text, images, and more.

In this workshop, students will learn the basics of how to set up and print on a Vandercook press, and how to properly clean up and maintain the press for consistent results. Students will learn the essentials of letterpress printing including lockup, packing, inking, registration, impression, paper selection, troubleshooting, and cleanup.

This workshop is ideal for artists, aspiring publishers, and anyone who wants to get their hands dirty with a little history and fun. This workshop prepares the student for the next course in CBA’s letterpress learning track, Intro to Typography on Press (Letterpress II).

Class size is limited to ensure an optimal student-to-teacher ratio. Register now before the remaining spots fill up!


Required Materials:

Required Materials:

  • Pencil and paper for taking notes
  • Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get stained or dirty

All other materials will be provided by Center for Book Arts at no additional cost.


About Sarah Nicholls

Sarah Nicholls is an artist, printmaker, and writer whose work combines language, image, visual narrative, and time.

Her ongoing projects on climate change, urban ecology, and the history of science and technology include a series of letterpress pamphlets as well as participatory programs like guided urban/nature walks.

Nicholls’ limited edition artist’s books are in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, Columbia University, and Stanford, among others.

Her work has received support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Brooklyn Arts Council, and the Puffin Foundation, and she has participated in residencies at BRIC House in Brooklyn, the Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, and Guttenberg Arts in New Jersey.


All images courtesy of the instructor. 

Class size is limited to ensure an optimal participant to instructor ratio. Register now before spots fill up! Registration for this workshop closes on October 21st at 11:59pm. The price of this class is $420 tuition plus a $40 materials fee.

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