workshops
Throughout the year I offer a range of short, intensive workshops all based at my studio in Bristol. I primarily focus on teaching letterpress but I also run sessions on kindred trades such as book-binding.
Letterpress Workshops
Introduction To Letterpress
This session is aimed to provide an introduction to letterpress; starting with the basics of relief printing, inks, paper stocks and the history of letterpress, we then work with the group on a small project that involves several aspects of typesetting and layout design. Once the compositions are complete, we go on to demonstrate and explain how to use one of our Adana 8x5 or 5x3 tabletop platen presses. Furnished with new knowledge, the group will then have all type, ornamentation and picture blocks at their disposal to create their own composition and then print as a small edition to take home.
This session is aimed primarily at people with an interest in letterpress but not necessarily much (or any) prior experience in print or graphic design. The aim is to provide the group with a taster and introduction to the techniques and processes involved in letterpress and the kind of effects that can be achieved.
All materials are provided, the only things you need to bring are; enthusiasm, an eye for detail, and plenty of gusto!
Letterpress Development
This session is aimed at developing the core concepts covered in the Introduction To Letterpress workshop. Digging deeper into the details of how to compose type, the anatomy of type, typography and layout, spacing and kerning, and how to plan out a typographic layout for letterpress printing. The session will also cover printmaking in more detail too, covering concepts such as; registering multiple colours, printing onto different materials, working with letterpress ink and colour mixing.
The group will have the opportunity to work together on a combined project, adding their own creative elements to a collaborative print edition, and they’ll each be able to take home a copy.
Attendees will be expected to have either completed the Introduction To Letterpress workshop or have an understanding of the essentials of letterpress (how to compose type, how to lock up a chase, etc.) This session will take those skills and develop them further to allow for a much more detailed understanding of printmaking with letterpress and is especially useful for anyone looking to purchase their own letterpress equipment or start letterpress printing elsewhere.
Bookbinding Workshops
Introduction To Bookbinding
This session is suitable for complete beginners who are interested in exploring the art of bookbinding. In this session we will start by running through the basics of paper types and selection, how to properly fold, crease and cut paper for binding, which tools are necessary and how to use them. Then you will learn two versatile and effective techniques; pamphlet stitching and Chinese stab binding.
A sewn pamphlet is an essential but simple starting point for learning bookbinding and scales up into more complex signature stitching.
Chinese stab binding is a very different technique but it offers a wide variety of options to the beginner bookbinder.
At the end of the session you will leave with two of your own books and the skills to start bookbinding at home.
All materials and tools are provided.
For a list of upcoming workshop sessions and to book a place online, head over to the P&E Yuup page alternatively you can book via the Bristol Print Collective page too.
Know someone who might be interested? We also sell gift vouchers for places on our workshops. These are available on our online store and can be redeemed on any future dated workshop event.
I also host interactive letterpress demonstrations and can accommodate small groups for team building events or personal development sessions. For enquires and pricing please contact me directly.