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Common Press

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.

Close up of typeset being arranged in a letterpress printer.

How to Use the Press

Introduction to Letterpress Workshop

This introductory workshop is a prerequisite for printing on the Vandercook on independent projects. 

Sign up for an upcoming workshop

Boxes of letterpress types

Reserve Time in the Studio

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. 

Reserve Open Studio time

Photograph of an assortment of tools on a table, including paint, color cards, cutting board, and sketches

Schedule a class, workshop, or tour

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

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Hours

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

Address

Common Press | 215-746-3001
Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level 
220 South 34th Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Workshops & Events

View all Penn Libraries events
Sep 18
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Open Studio Print Event: Type High Day

On Type High Day, which falls annually on 9/18, letterpress enthusiasts celebrate the standardized height of all American metal and wood movable type: 0.9186 inches. Celebrate with us at the Common Press!

  • September 18, 2024
  • 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
type high metal gauge

Resources

Where Can I Find Common Press Prints? 

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.

Where can I get photopolymer plates made?

We order ours from Boxcar Press. They provide detailed information on file preparation and ordering, as well as fast turnaround.

Can I work at the Press? 

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

  • Vandercook No. 4 (1955)
  • Vandercook SP-15 (1963)
  • Hoe Washington Hand Press (ca. 1847)
  • Chandler and Price New Series 8 x 12 Platen Press
  • Golding Pearl New Improved #8 5 x 8 Platen Press
  • Kelsey Excelsior 5 x 8 Tabletop Platen Press
  • Signmaker Proof Press
  • 2 Provisional Presses (available to loan)
  • Library of wood and metal type, along with historical image blocks
  • 2 sets of P22 Blox
  • Bases for photopolymer plate & pressure prints
  • Pearl Guillotine Cutter, 14” Blade
  • Dahle Rotary Paper Cutter
  • 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. 

Contact

About the Common Press

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.