All workshops at Letterpress Things are conducted by Kelly McMahon of May Day Studio.  For all inquiries, please email Kelly here.

Experience the Letterpress Thing

The cool touch of decades-old metal type. A firm two-handed impression roll for a copy proof. A deft transfer from composing stick to imposing stone. A gentle tap of the planer. Two quick twists of the locking key and the chase with form is secure. The press is inked, the guides aligned, the chase slips into position, paper is correctly placed and your very first impression is ready to print.

You can "experience the letterpress thing" at the Letterpress Things print shop in Chicopee, MA. Participants set type, lockup and print on a Kelsey Excelsior 5x8, then exchange printed signatures, gather, fold, and hand-bind. At the day's end each participant will leave with a hand-printed, hand-bound chapbook, a lifetime keepsake of their first letterpress experience.

Cost per student is $110. Workshop is held at Letterpress Things in Chicopee, MA. Limited to 4 students.

Saturday, September 26 FULL
Sunday, October 11
Saturday, November 7
 

Getting to Know Your Tabletop Press

A unique, hands-on workshop where participants bring their own tabletop press to work on.

The daylong class begins with a review of the press: its parts, operations, care and maintenance, adjustments, and more. In the afternoon, we make our presses ready to print.

Topics and techniques include setting tympan and packing; ink types, mixing, and inking the press; setting and positioning gauges and grippers; choosing paper; and registering the form. Particular attention will be given to troubleshooting and specific problems previously encountered. If time permits, participants will set type and print.

Cost per student is $150. Workshop is held at Letterpress Things in Chicopee, MA. Limited to two presses and their owners.

Sunday, September 27
Saturday, October 24 FULL
Additional sessions will be offered in Spring 2010.

Wood Type Fun!

 Join Kelly and fellow students to tackle the basics of composing with wood type and printing on a Vandercook proof press. You'll learn about different papers suitable for letterpress, as well as inking the press, printing, and cleaning up. Students will work in pairs to produce unique broadsides--super-cool, single-sheet posters that can run the gamut from band flyer to fine art. We'll proof our work on a Nolan proof press before moving on to the Vandercook #4. Some letterpress experience is recommended.

Cost per student is $125. Workshop is held at Letterpress Things in Chicopee, MA. Limited to 4 students.

Saturday, October 10
Sunday, November 8

Advanced Techniques on the Press

A "How did they do that?" workshop. Learn tips and tricks for scoring, creating borders, printing on unusual materials, and more!

Cost per student is $125, and includes all materials. Some letterpress experience necessary.

Sunday, October 25
Additional sessions will be offered in Spring 2010.

Letterpress Holiday Cards

Tired of the same old holiday cards? Want your card to be the talk of the town? Why not design and print handmade cards to send for the holidays! Students will design cards using Letterpress Things' incredible stock of type and vintage holiday cuts, and print on Kelsey 5x8s and a Chandler & Price Pilot.

Bring lunch, an apron, and your imagination! Cost per student is $125, and includes all materials. Workshop is held at Letterpress Things in Chicopee, MA.  Limited to 4 students.

Saturday, November 14

Special Projects: a studio weekend

So you've taken a workshop--now what? Let Kelly help you get your project ready, then be there to guide you through the printing process.

Cost is $25 per hour, does not include materials. Requires advanced sign up, to give us time to order paper and plates if necessary.

Email Kelly to arrange dates and times.

Registration Information

To register for any of the above workshops, print the registration form and send it in with a check or credit card details for the full amount.  Feel free to email with any questions.

Advanced registration is required for all workshops.  Register early, as they tend to fill up quickly.

For pictures of previous workshops, click here.