Suitable for complete beginners, with all materials and tools provided.

Learn how to prepare work, and print on a press from start to finish. An ideal workshop for people to learn the skills to create their own business cards, greeting cards, invitations, artist books, and posters.



Letterpress printing is a method of printing from movable wood or metal type, polymer plates, and other relief surfaces to produce a beautiful, crisp impression. A technique for printing with a history dating back to the 15th century, letterpress printing was widely used for printing books and newspapers until the second half of the 20th century.



Workshop participants will have an introduction to the composing room, and will be introduced to the Vandercook, FAG and Stephenson Blake presses.



Participants will learn how to:

Hand typesetting in both lead and wooden type

Lock up work into a forme

Selecting paper stock

Choosing and mixing inks

Prepare work, order, and print from polymer plates

The correct and safe use of the press



Upon completion of the workshop, participants will leave with their own hand-printed edition and will be able work independently on the presses by becoming a studio member or purchasing a Studio Pass.

London Centre for Book Arts is a recognised artist-run, open-access studio with a focus on books and publications. Since 2012, LCBA has been at the forefront of teaching and promoting the heritage craft of bookbinding in the UK. Based on our popular workshops, Making Books: a guide to creating hand-crafted books by the London Centre for Book Arts was published in 2017 and has since been published in seven different languages.

Workshop participants receive 10% discount on purchases made in-person from the LCBA Shop on the day of the workshop.

Cancellation Policy


If you are unable to make a workshop, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can re-list your place. We are a very small organisation and proceeds from each ticket goes towards crucial overheads. Cancellations made after 21 days before the start date of the workshop are not refundable or transferable.

Waitlist

If a workshop you wish to join is fully booked, please email us to be put on the waitlist in the event of any cancellations

We run bespoke workshops & experiences for individuals and groups  – for more information please email hello@londonbookarts.org

Accessibility
LCBA is wheelchair accessible and barrier free.
There are accessible, gender neutral toilets.
Public transport options to LCBA can be seen under Find Us, but the routes from stations to LCBA has uneven pavements that are narrow. There are two disabled parking spaces just across the road from the entrance to LCBA. For more information on access please email hello@londonbookarts.org