Lucky me – I mentioned to Josh months ago that I’d love to do a letterpress workshop, and he remembered and bought me a class for my birthday. It was held at Turnbull Grey in Clerkenwell, who are primarily a graphic design studio but also run letterpress workshops on the side.
The class was small (just three people and two tutors, the eponymous Angela and Chris) and informal: a quick history of letterpress was given along with a rundown of the process, then we were left to dream up a design and get printing.
Dealing with the minutiae of setting 12px Baskerville with perfect tracking and leading this class ain’t: it’s more of a fun open workshop using big wooden type to create a graphic poster or postcards. The huge chest of wooden movable type was a treat to rummage through.
After a practice run with a single character, I decided to print a poster with a short quotation: “Great design is transparent”. The process is pretty easy. Pick your letters and arrange in a pleasing formation inside the metal frame. Remember the words will print backwards (like I did not first time around).
Plug the gaps so it’s all secure and align on the base of the letterpress machine. Turnbull Grey have two tabletop Adana machines along with this flatbed one. The Adana is easier to use and more mechanised, but the flatbed provides a better finish and can handle larger designs.
Ink up a roller and roll over your type – a little ink goes a long way. For a sexy gradient effect, just roll two colours together. Align the paper on top and pull the rollers to press.
Here’s my final poster! I love the gradient effect, but it’s a shame you can’t really read the type behind it as I planned. Given another chance I’d definitely plan my design better.
The 3-hour class at Turnbull Grey was so much fun, I highly recommend it as a brilliant introduction to letterpress printing in which you can muck around and have a try without splashing out on all the kit yourself. Check their site for the latest dates.
I swear you read my mind, first there was the silver clay class I was eyeing up that you attended and now the Turnbull Grey letterpress class. We must be on all the same mailing lists. At least its nice to know what I’m in for!
I saw your instagrams from the day and wondered where you were… I did a day last year at Harrington & Squires, it is so good. Am tempted to try to get hold of an Adana…
Love how your print turned out. Would be very tempted to attend a class like this.
I wish I could take this class! I own the same Adana press but I don’t really find time (and motivation) to get really into printing all by myself!