Intro to Pressure Printing for Letterpress • Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10am-1pm

Sunday, May 17, 2026
10am-1pm

$95 per student
8 student maximum
Instructor: Jess Snow 

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Great For:

• People brand new to printmaking and experienced printmakers.

• Letterpress printers of any level looking for new techniques to expand their creative practice

• Beginner/non-artist friendly!

Class Description:

Pressure printing—also known as stratography—is a printmaking technique that transforms low-relief, thin matrices into richly textured, atmospheric images. Building a matrix is much like creating a two-dimensional collage, inviting experimentation, play, and chance. Whether abstract or representational, these collaged plates can produce striking standalone prints or serve as building blocks for more layered, complex works.

In this class, students will learn how to design and construct effective printing plates, discover how different materials influence the final image, and learn essential safety practices. We’ll experiment with textures, paper, and the interplay of color to expand creative possibilities.

While most printing will take place on a Vandercook letterpress, we’ll also cover accessible methods for printing at home or with other types of presses. As time and interest allow, students may incorporate simple hand-set type to add another dimension to their prints.

By the end of the course, each student will leave with a collection of original prints and a strong foundation for continuing to explore and grow within the versatile process of pressure printing.

Supplies Provided:

• Paper to use as the plate for your work

• Scissors and X-acto blades

• Glue, tape

• Paper to print on

Supplies to Bring:

• Snacks, drinks in closed containers, and an eagerness to learn!

Optional Supplies:

• Students may bring any flat(ish) materials to help build up the textural quality of your design. Examples: thin lace or fabric, flattened botanicals, pre-cut stencils, etc. 

Instructor Bio:

Jessica Snow (she/her) is a life-long artist and enthusiastic educator currently working in the Rocky Mountain West. She holds a BFA in communication arts from Western Colorado University and cut her design teeth in print publishing while living in the Pacific Northwest. She finally found her way to letterpress, eventually becoming the studios manager at The Printing Museum in Houston, Texas. While there, she was the primary letterpress evangelist spreading the good news of letterpress printing to anyone who ventured through the doors or signed up for her workshops. She has adapted her lessons to teach all ages; as well as, professional and non-professional artists alike. 

Over the years, as a steward of letterpress resources, she has become a press mechanic helping individuals and institutions keep their old presses running and the ink flowing. 

Though an avid practitioner of traditional letterpress and printmaking methods, still she embraces modern tools and works fluently between analog and digital worlds. She enjoys working methodically and deliberately, welcoming co-conspirators who also appreciate a slower pace. Her work primarily reflects a deep connection and respect for the natural world and is inspired by the timeless cycles and spectacular organization that has evolved over millenia. Aptly, she produces her work under the name of Glacial Speed Press.

Registration is non-refundable or exchangeable. Additional supplies available for purchase at Ladyfingers Letterpress. All students receive a 10% discount on all in-store purchases on the day of the workshop.