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.