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Common Press

Common Press is the 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 free workshops, studio access for independent projects, educational support, and curricular collaboration. Our programs include open studio hours, class visits, collaborative projects, visiting artists, and community outreach.

movable type on a printing press with red ink

How to Use the Press

This introductory workshop is a prerequisite for printing on the Vandercook for independent projects. We will talk a little bit about print history and typography and produce a collaborate small broadside of a poem. You will get to participate in the printing process from start to finish — setting type, cutting paper, setting up and inking the press, printing, and clean up.

Sign up for an upcoming workshop

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 workshops or events are scheduled. A staff member is always present and available for assistance as needed. If you anticipate needing additional help with developing or planning a print or book project, please email us.

Reserve Open Studio time

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.

Submit an inquiry form

Once a month we offer a drop-in printing event open to the general public. We will have something on the press for people to print and take home, and it's different every time!  Visitors generally spend 5 to 15 minutes at the press — join us whenever is convenient for you within the scheduled times.

Browse Events and Register Online

Hours

Monday: 9:30 am – 5 pm

Tuesday: 9:30 am – 7 pm

Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5 pm

Thursday: 9:30 am – 7 pm

Friday: 9:30 am – 5 pm

Location

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

Floorplan

Campus Map

Workshops & Events

View all Common Press events
Books with cultural and ethnic stories
  • Workshop
October 28, 2024

Celebrating Immigrant Stories with the Penn Libraries

In observance of National Immigrants Day, Penn Libraries and the Common Press present Celebrating Immigrant Stories, a pop-up event on Weitzman Plaza. 

  • 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Weitzman Plaza (in front of Meyerson Hall)
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff
An iron handpress machine
  • Workshop
October 29, 2024

Shop Talk: Iron Handpress Use

We'll demonstrate how to use our oldest press: our Washington Handpress from 1860.

  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff
A woman is feeding food to some magical creatures.
  • Workshop
October 31, 2024, 01:00pm - 4:00pm

Open Studio Print Event: Print a Magic Spell

Letterpress-print a magic spell, set in metal type. 

  • 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Resources

Printing Presses
  • Vandercook No. 4 (1955)
  • Vandercook SP-15 (1963)
  • Hoe Washington 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
  • 2 Provisional Presses (available to borrow)
Movable Type, etc.
  • library of metal and wood type
  • historical copper and zinc cuts and image blocks
  • 2 sets of P22 Blox
  • Bases for photopolymer plate & pressure prints
Paper Cutters
  • Pearl Guillotine Cutter, 14” Blade
  • Dahle Rotary Paper Cutter
Other
  • Corner Rounder
  • Button Maker (1.25")
  • Library of paper samples

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:

Common Press Studio Use Agreement

I understand that operating Common Press machinery comes with a risk of bodily injury, therefore I agree to:

  • ask for assistance from the Studio Manager or Studio Coordinator when I am unsure about something.
  • tie back long hair and remove loose, dangling, or flowing clothing and jewelry.
  • exercise caution when moving type cases or other heavy objects and ask for assistance when needed so as to avoid injury.
  • use proper safety precautions when handling type, ink, and cleaning materials:  
    • wear gloves to protect skin from inks and cleaning materials.
    • wash hands thoroughly after handling type, ink or clean up materials
    • read the available Material Safety Sheets if more information is needed.
  • use the studio only while sober.

I understand that I am using antique equipment and type and will do so with respect. Therefore, I agree to:

  • get approval from the Studio Manager or Coordinator to use any experimental printmaking methods, outside papers, printing plates, inks or cleaning products.
  • operate with mindfulness.

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. 

FAQs

Our student staff print broadsides for some Kelly Writers House events during the fall and spring semesters which are free takeaways for attendees. They have images of work produced under their Robinson Press imprint on their website. Kislak Center for Special Collections maintains an archive of the Press's work which you can request to see in person. 

Yes, we keep a range of colors stocked of 12.5" x 19" 100# Card Stock (Cover Weight) from French Paper Company and 12" x 18" White Flurry Paper from Boxcar Press in each of the three weights for workshops and general use. 

We offer a few bookbinding workshops each month during the semester, and a handful of workshops over the summer. The book structures vary and repeat, so you can take one of each or the same over again. Look under the "links" tab above for more information on what structures we teach, material lists, and suppliers. For information on upcoming workshops, please visit our calendar of events. 

We order the plastic KF95 plates from Boxcar Press. They provide detailed information on file preparation and ordering, as well as fast turnaround. Look under the "equipment" tab for a list of the Boxcar base sizes we have at the Press. 

Common Press employs several student workers throughout the year. Search student positions in WorkDay for openings. 

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