I recently took a 3-day workshop at Barbarian Press in Mission, BC, where I learned the basics of letterpress printing from some of the masters in the game. I printed a broadsheet with the lyrics from “Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing” by the Magnetic Fields. It was an excellent opportunity to peruse a range of beautiful printed books, sort through tons of old type, and gain valuable tips on letterpress printmaking. Pictures below!
Printing on a Vandercook Press.
Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing – printed broadsheet featuring lyrics by Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields.
Setting type on the press.
A printed book
Setting type.
Setting up for the second colour on the Vandercook.