Description

This workshop introduces you to letterpress printing, from hand typesetting through printing on a tabletop C&P Pilot press or Kelsey 5×8. Let your creativity roam to design your own card, ready to pass out to friends or send as a greeting.

The session will guide you through the process of hand-setting type, choosing an ornament or typographic embellishment, proofing on a hand-inked proof press, and then printing on a tabletop platen press. This includes lockup, inking, makeready, and presswork. Each person will produce a dozen of their own printed notecards to take home, or maybe a few more to exchange with other participants.

The workshop will be held in the Print Shop at History Park. This is a one-day session, 10 AM to 2:30 PM. This is sponsored by the nonprofit San Jose Printers’ Guild, whose members staff the museum print shop every weekend. Participants are asked to bring a short poem, phrase, or quotation to typeset (one big word or a few words up to twenty-ish words).

The session is limited to four people. The day includes a short lunch break (bring your own bag lunch; food is not available on site). No previous printing knowledge is needed, but experienced participants can work ahead as they are able. Instructor Matt Kelsey has been leading letterpress workshops at History Park since 2010, and has been the lead organizer of the Bay Area Printers’ Fair & Wayzgoose since 2014.

Date: November 21, 2026, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Cost: $120 per person