Letterpress Printing Workshop

A wonderfully creative workshop to introduce you to the utterly addictive world of letterpress printing. This workshop is perfect for absolute beginners wanting to try their hand at old fashioned typesetting, teaching you how to compose metal type, lock up your chase, and print your own piece of typographic art. You'll get to use one of our 1890's table top printing presses to produce a set of ten A6 prints that you can gift to your friends and family (or keep all to yourself!).

Taught by resident letterpress enthusiast and Meticulous Ink owner, Athena, these small, intimate classes will be for a maximum of four people to ensure you have plenty of one-on-one time, guidance and dedicated attention from Athena. She'll introduce you to the pleasingly tactile, analogue world of letterpress printing, explaining the background and niche terms.

You'll bring along a short quote of 5 to 10 words - think, your favourite words, a short poem, or even just your name - which you'll turn into a piece of A6 size mini art in this 3.5 hour workshop. We'll provide you with all the tools necessary to bring your words to life. You'll get to delve into our collection of metal and wood type, selecting your favourite for use in your project.

This workshop is perfect for people with no previous experience of print, and for designers that have found themselves stuck in front of a computer, giving you the chance to get hands-on again.

A recent review from one of our students: "thank you so much it was so good. Your style of teaching is wonderful - humour, teaching wider perspective and the right pace. Learnt so much and will be back!" Becca.

Private Workshops: Gather your besties and create a beautiful print together! The perfect group activity for up to four people to celebrate a birthday, team building or a fabulously creative hen or stag party. In this private workshop Athena will guide you through the basics of typesetting and mixing ink. You'll each contribute, getting the opportunity to ink up the press by hand and pull a print. Each of you will get to take home a selection of A3 prints of the incredible and unique artwork you create together on our Stephenson Blake proofing press. Please get in touch to confirm dates that work best for you.

The workshops are held in our beautiful letterpress print studio and shop - 134 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BG, where you can take a closer look at the larger presses used to print all of our paper goods. After the workshop you'll have the opportunity to peruse our shop and stock up on lovely stationery items.

If you're purchasing the booking as a gift, please let us know in the boxes above who it is To and From. We'll then send you a beautifully hand lettered voucher to give to the recipient.

Non-date specific gift vouchers are also available to purchase if you are unsure of which date to choose. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from purchase.

Details:

Cancellation Terms

Please ensure you can attend the workshop before booking, as tickets are non-refundable. If we are notified 14 days prior to the workshop and you can no longer make it, we would be happy to transfer you to a future date. If for any reason you are unable to attend within 14 days of your workshop, we are unable to swap your date, though you are more than welcome to find a friend that can take your place.

In the rare circumstance we are unable to run a workshop, your ticket will be valid to book onto another available date.

Is there an age limit for the workshop?

Anyone can attend our workshops, though unfortunately we do not allow children under 12. Those under 16 we do request are accompanied by an adult. Please do get in touch if you'd like to discuss.

What should I bring?

You don't need anything - we provide everything you need at our workshops, including ink, paper and printing presses. As it is a working pressroom and creative space we recommend you wear clothing you wouldn't mind getting ink on. We'll provide an apron for you to feel extra printy.


What are my transport/parking options getting to you?

There is parking in Bath in several locations - the nearest to us would be the Podium car park or the Cattlemarket car park. Train services to Bath Spa are very regular and the walk to our shop at 134 Walcot Street takes around 20 minutes.

How do the gift vouchers work?

When ordering the gift voucher option we will create a code that can be used to book online or in store to book onto your preferred date. We’ll post you a lovely physical gold foil printed voucher with the recipient name and their code in calligraphy. Vouchers are valid for 12 months.

Accessibility

Please note that our workshops take place at a tall table that is approximately 1m in height with seating on adjustable height stools and you will also be working standing up much of the time. If you require alternative seating arrangements, please notify us ahead of time.