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Common Press

Common Press at the University of Pennsylvania is dedicated to scholarly exploration and creative practice in the history, craft, and material culture of printing and bookmaking. Through hands-on workshops, we provide education about the cultural, historical, and technological significance of letterpress printing, typography and bookbinding, making these practices accessible to Penn and the greater Philadelphia community.

Movable type on a printing press with red ink

Using the Common Press

Hours: Open by appointment, as well as during workshops, special events, and open houses.

Location: Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level, 220 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Campus map Floorplan

Person printing a card on a pink sheet of paper

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Open box of lino carving supplies, including an ink roller, carving tool, ink bottle, carving block, and instruction booklet.

Toolkits

Borrow our toolkits to complete projects outside the studio! We have kits available for book binding, wood engraving, paper making, and more.

Reserve a kit

Upcoming Events

View all Common Press events
declaration
  • Workshop
May 18 - December 18, 2026

Print the Declaration of Independence

Make a reservation to visit Common Press and print a copy of the Declaration of Independence for yourself.

  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to the Public
washing fiber for papermaking
  • Workshop
September 26, 2026

Hand Papermaking and Natural Dyes

An open session at Historic Rittenhouse Town to observe hand papermaking in action and to converse about these engaging and time-tested processes with staff from Common Press and visiting artist Emily Tipps.

  • 12:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Historic Rittenhouse Town
Open to the Public
An old photograph of three women of different ages looking at photographs together
September 28, 2026

Move Slow & Make Things: Browsing

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon conducting visual research in the Fisher Fine Arts Library.

  • 1:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Fisher Fine Arts Library, B Level Seminar Room
Open to Penn Students Only

Resources

More details on our LibGuide.
Printing Presses
  • Vandercook No. 4 (1955)
  • Vandercook SP-15 (1963)
  • Washington Hoe Hand Press (ca. 1860s)
  • Chandler and Price New Series 8 x 12 Platen Press
  • Kelsey Excelsior 5 x 8 Tabletop Platen Press (1928)
  • Signmaker Proof Press
  • 1 Provisional Press
Movable Type, etc.
Paper Cutters
  • Challenge 20 Model
  • Kutrimmer

 

Most materials are provided free of charge to participants in workshops and curricular sessions. Independent users are provided with 20 12 x 19 inch sheets of paper per academic year, and then asked to provide their own paper. Book cloth, board and other binding materials are not available to independent users. Please ask for a list of recommended suppliers.

 Paper

We stock:

Ink

We use a range of letterpress inks from certified suppliers, in all the base colors, plus neon, gold and silver. Use our Pantone Formula Guide to mix any of the hundreds of Pantone colors.

Custom printing plates

Make your own printing plates!

 

 

 

Workshops: We offer workshops in basic and specialty bookbinding, free and open to all.

Support for bookbinding projects: We offer support for single section bindings, accordion and stab bindings, and guidance for digital printing. We do not offer support for case binding or other multi-section bindings, but can guide you to local practitioners and teachers. Schedule an appointment for more information.

Digital layout and imposition: Vitale Digital Media Lab offers free assistance with InDesign and digital layout to PennCard holders.

Check out our LibGuide for more resources.

Common Press Studio User Agreement
To maintain a safe and productive environment for users, staff, and our antique equipment, all studio users must agree to the following:


Respectful and Proper Use of Equipment
Demonstrate a commitment to using all equipment and materials respectfully and correctly. Studio equipment can pose a risk of bodily injury if not used properly. Please ask staff for assistance whenever you are unsure about a process. Approval from staff is required before attempting experimental printmaking methods or using non-standard papers, printing plates, inks, or cleaning products.


Safety Practices
Take appropriate safety precautions at all times. This includes tying back long hair and removing loose, dangling, or flowing clothing and jewelry. Hands must be washed thoroughly after handling type. Material Safety Data Sheets are available to learn the potential toxicity of studio materials. Use of the studio is permitted only while sober and clear-headed.

Inclusivity
Demonstrate respect for diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, and socioeconomic background. Assume the positive intent of other users.

Conduct and Accountability
The studio is a place to work and learn; users who are not actively engaged in one or both of these actions may be asked to leave. Interpersonal conflicts must be addressed outside of the studio space so as not to disrupt other users. If you wish to discuss a conflict or incident, please contact Jessica Peterson, Director of Common Press, or Mia D’Avanza, Director of the Fisher Fine Arts Library.


Studio Access 
Access to Common Press is a privilege contingent upon professional and respectful conduct. Disrespectful behavior toward staff, fellow users, or studio equipment may result in suspension of studio access. 


Remember that we are all learning. - adrienne maree brown
 

FAQs

We are located in the basement of the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Once inside the library building, go through the main doors of the central reading room of the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Go through security and scan your PennCard or photo ID (see access guidelines). Then, turn right at the end of the circulation desk and go forward through the door in front of you leading to the stacks. On your right, you will see a door leading to a stairwell. Go down the stairs to the basement. Turn right at the bottom of the stairs. You will see signs for the Common Press. Ask a librarian if you have difficulty! Please contact (215) 746-3001 for ADA access to Common Press.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level 
220 South 34th Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Floorplan

Campus Map

We do not to have the capacity to support last minute projects (any project due within 3 days). If you are interested in letterpress printing or bookbinding, please start accessing the numerous resources we provide as early in the semester as you can.

We only have letterpress printing and woodblock printing. We do not offer risograph printing or screenprinting. We recommend visiting Soapbox to learn and practice these methods.

Common Press employs several student workers throughout the year. Please email jesspe@upenn.edu if you are interested.

The Typography of Independence

Starting in August 2025, Common Press will host The Typography of Independence, a year-long program exploring the materiality of the Declaration of Independence. Monthly public events will explore the typesetting, printing and papermaking involved in the production of the Declaration of Independence, a document that was first letterpress printed in Philadelphia over the night of July 3, 1776.

These events will culminate in a 15-hour community typesetting workshop in May 2026, where all are invited to communally set metal type and compose a replica of the Declaration of Independence on our nineteenth century iron handpress. This body of type will be available to print for the rest of the summer of 2026. The replica will be printed on handmade paper made from cotton and linen rags collected from the community.

 

The Materiality of the Declaration: A Broadside Series

During a series of monthly open studio sessions, the university and city community will be invited to try letterpress printing through the printing of handset broadsides about the materiality of the Declaration. For each open studio event, Common Press staff will create a broadside design in metal type, paying tribute to a person or process involved in the making of the first edition of the Declaration of Independence. 

 

Making Paper for the Declaration

The Common Press will make sheets of paper using the same practices and materials from the 1770’s, starting with a six-month community-wide rag collection, during which everyone in Philadelphia will be invited to donate old cotton and linen rags to make into paper. This mimics the process of papermaking in the 1770’s, when rag collectors circulated through the city to collect material for papermaking. Common Press staff will pulp these rags and make large sheets of paper which will be used to print true-to-size copies of the original Declaration of Independence.  

 

The 15-hour Declaration of Independence

The first edition of the Declaration was set and printed in 24 hours starting on July 4, 1776. Common Press will host a 15-hour community typesetting workshop where all are invited to communally set metal type and compose a replica of the Declaration of Independence. This body of type will be available to print for the rest of the summer of 2026.

 

 

Contact

Accessibility

For Wheelchairs

  • Sufficient doorway & hallway clearance
  • Clearance to approach table

Nearby Bathrooms

Men's and women's accessible bathrooms are on the Lower Level, in the Duhring Wing of the building.

For access, please find a staff member or call 215-898-9870.

Accessible Entrance

Fisher accessible entrance

Directions to the accessible entrance:   Word   |   PDF

Maps and More

Campus Libraries Map

Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees