This will be a studio art class during which students are introduced to the techniques, materials and equipment used in letterpress printing. Students will complete a series of assignments designed to give them practice in these techniques and for them to become more adept at using the materials and equipment. Ambitious students will be able to do more advanced work, as the Word & Lab is equipped for this.

The course is divided into two parts. The first seven weeks will be taught by Julia Ferrari. The focus will be on setting metal type from a case and printing on a Vandercook proof press. Students will become acquainted with the interaction of text and image The second seven weeks will be taught by Michael Smoot. This will be a follow up, immersive section that gives students time to expand on techniques and concepts introduced in the first half of the term. In addition, students will make photopolymer plates and cut linoleum blocks to be printed.