INTRODUCTION TO LETTERPRESS PRINTING 29/05/2026
Suitable for complete beginners, with all materials and tools provided.
Learn how to prepare work, and print on a press from start to finish. This workshop is designed for anyone looking to gain the skills to create their own custom business cards, greeting cards, invitations, artist books, or posters.
Letterpress is a relief printing method using movable wood or metal type, polymer plates, and other relief surfaces to produce a beautiful, crisp impression. With a history reaching back to the 15th century, it remained the primary method for printing books and newspapers until the mid-20th century. Today, it is celebrated for its tactile and timeless quality.
Participants will receive a full introduction to the composing room and our FAG and three Vandercook presses. We will guide you through the process of:
Hand-typesetting in both lead and wood type
Locking up work into a forme
Selecting appropriate paper stocks
Choosing and mixing inks
Preparing and printing from modern polymer plates
The correct and safe use of the printing presses
Upon completion, you will take home your own hand-printed edition. You will also be qualified to work independently in the studio by becoming a member or purchasing a Studio Pass.
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Location
London Centre for Book Arts
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Instructors
Simon Goode, Cicely Pilkington
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Dates
Friday 29 May 2026
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Time
10am–5:30pm
About LCBA
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.
Workshop refunds or transfers are subject to an admin fee of 10% of the ticket cost, or £25 per ticket, whichever is lower.
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
Bespoke Workshops
We run bespoke workshops & experiences for individuals and groups – for more information please emailhello@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