From Design to Letterpress: A 3-Day Retreat | June 1 & July 6-7, 2024

Remotely via Zoom:
Saturday, June 1
12-3pm

In-Studio:
Saturday, July 6
10-4pm

In-Studio:
Sunday, July 7
10-4pm

$450 per student
Number of Students: 10

In this multi-day and part-virtual class, students will learn how to digitally prepare their designs to be made into polymer plates and print them using our Vandercook 219 Old Style Letterpress. 

The class begins with a virtual instruction over Zoom by Illustrator and Letterer Arley Torsone, who will share how to digitally export your files to be made into polymer plates. Photopolymer plates are a recent technology (that is, if you consider the ‘80s to be recent!) that allows the freedom and flexibility to translate any illustration or design into a type-high plate that can be used in conjunction with a specialized machined base for letterpress printing. Once you learn how to prepare your work for polymer plates, you will be equipped to work with letterpress printers and be able to translate your work for print!

Students will complete the workshop at Ladyfingers Letterpress in Colorado Springs and learn how to print their designs in our fully-equipped letterpress studio. Under the guidance and supervision of Letterpress Printer Morgan Calderini, each student will learn the history of letterpress printing and become familiar with operating this popular flatbed cylinder proof press while “talking shop” about the world of running a successful letterpress business. 

This class requires access to a computer and design software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape (a free alternative to Illustrator), with a basic understanding of the software. This format allows students to participate remotely to prepare their files and then attend the printmaking portion in our letterpress studio during the 2-day consecutive workshop.

Tuition includes all materials and lunches on Saturday and Sunday. We will hold a casual cocktail hour with light refreshments on Saturday afternoon after class.

Registration is non-refundable. Because of the limited availability of this workshop, we will not be able to offer refunds for cancellations due to travel delays for those attending the workshop from out of town. We encourage you to consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the cost of your trip in the event that your plans become interrupted. 

Polymer Plate Prep Workshop

Saturday, June 1
12-3pm
Location: Zoom (Students will be emailed a link to participate)

Letterpress Printing Workshop

Saturday, July 6
10-4pm
Location: Ladyfingers Letterpress

-and-

Sunday, July 7
10-4pm
Location: Ladyfingers Letterpress