Introduction to Letterpress Workshop
This introductory workshop is a prerequisite for printing on the Vandercook on independent projects.
Common Press is University of Pennsylvania’s typography studio that supports research and practice in letterpress printing and book arts for students, faculty, staff, and the larger community.
We offer educational support, studio access for independent projects, and curricular collaboration. Our programs include open studio hours, class visits, collaborative projects, visiting artists, and community outreach.
This introductory workshop is a prerequisite for printing on the Vandercook on independent projects.
After completing the Intro to Letterpress workshop, members of the Penn community including students, faculty, and staff can use the Common Press studio during open hours if no other private workshops are scheduled.
We offer curricular support to Penn classes, as well as interactive tours, immersive private workshops, and more. Inquire about a Common Press experience for your cohort, class, or staff.
Monday: 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday: 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday: 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 5 pm
Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Common Press | 215-746-3001
Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Kislak Center for Special Collections maintains an archive of the Press's work. Kelly Writers House has images of work produced under their Robinson Press imprint on their website.
We order ours from Boxcar Press. They provide detailed information on file preparation and ordering, as well as fast turnaround.
Common Press employs several student workers through the year. Search student positions in WorkDay for openings.
The Common Press currently offers two toolkits for checkout and use by faculty, staff, and students using their PennCard. Toolkits may be borrowed for up to three months. Stop by the Common Press during open hours to check out a toolkit.
Borrowers who do not return the toolkits will be charged for the materials.
Book Binding Tool Kit: Awl, olfa knife, small metal ruler, small cutting mat, bone folder, binding needle, hole punching cradle, glue stick, binding thread, scissors, resource booklet.
Linoleum Block Carving Kit: Lino carving tool, carbon paper, vellum, small lino block, brayer, small tube of ink, paper, resource & instruction booklet.
Studio users are asked to sign the following safety agreement:
I understand that operating Common Press machinery comes with a risk of bodily injury, therefore I agree to:
I understand that I am using antique equipment and type and will do so with respect. Therefore, I agree to:
I understand that, in accordance with Fisher Fine Arts Library policy, no food is allowed in the Common Press studio. Beverages in cover containers are allowed but should not be handled with hands dirty from type, inks, or clean up.
I understand that failure to work within the terms of this agreement will result in loss of studio access.
The Common Press is the letterpress studio at the University of Pennsylvania. The press is a collaboration of interests, including writing (Kelly Writers House), print culture and history (the Rare Book & Manuscript Library), and visual arts and design (the Fine Arts program in the School of Design). The facility provides an environment where students can move between digital and manual image making, collaborating with writers, printmakers, designers, scholars, and others with an interest in printing. The Common Press exists to assist in teaching design and to facilitate collaborative projects across the University. It was founded on January 17, 2006, the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth.