Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $225

Masks are no longer required for workshops, though anyone is welcome to wear one if they wish.
 

Cylinder Core Certificate Program

The hand-fed cylinder proof press, also known as the Vandercook press, has a special place in both print history and in teaching book arts. Immediate and accessible, yet nuanced and specific, it is the press that introduced many of us to letterpress.

The four class Cylinder Core Certificate Program allows students to move quickly through press basics while also addressing relief printing in general. Students who finish the four Core classes are qualified to rent press time as well as move on to more advanced classes and techniques. Core classes must be taken in order, 1 through 4.

Click here to learn more about the Cylinder Core Certificate Program. 
 

Cylinder Core 4 :: Digital into Analog

Digital designs can be turned into photopolymer plates with a raised printing surface, allowing for artistic expression via letterpress that goes beyond lead and wood. You'll choose designs from our pre-made collection of polymer plates and create a coordinated stationery suite of cards, letter sheets, and envelopes.

Competencies Gained:

• Builds on skills from Cylinder Cores 1, 2 and 3

Knowledge:

• Introduction to polymer plate printing
• Knowledge of various polymer plate bases and benefits/costs of each one

Skills:

• Build on press setup skills
• Build on ink mixing skills
• Develop press cleanup speed
• Increased familiarity with running the cylinder (Vandercook) press
   

>> Prerequisite: Cylinder Core 1, 2, 3 <<
 

Materials to Bring: All tools and materials will be provided. Students will be designing on the fly from our collection of plates, but can think ahead about whether they want traditional stationery with name/address, or something more whimsical.

Please note: Class projects are for learning particular skills and supporting class dynamics. Project ideas should be flexible, open to what class time and communal studio use will permit.

Date & Time: Saturday, December 21, 2024 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

NOTE: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close approximately three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. We recommend you not wait to register, as workshops that don't meet our minimum enrollment will be canceled, sometimes as much as a week in advance.
 

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About the Instructor | Alan Hillesheim (he/him)

Alan Hillesheim has been wrenching around printing presses for 35 years. Printing presses need to be moved, oiled, inked, cleaned, and maintained, in short they need attention like a six year old. Maintenance is a dirty business, but a necessary one for beautifully printed anything. Alan has a passion for the mechanics of the print studio and enjoys encouraging others to roll up their sleeves and grab a wrench. His 35 years in the letterpress business and “all-ten-fingers” count speak for themselves. Join him and wear old clothes.

Oh, and once the press is in fine order, Alan has a few secrets to divulge about perfect inking and stellar printing.

Past Student Reviews:

“Alan was super attentive and used any issues the students ran into as valuable teaching moments for the whole class, which was helpful in understanding the myriad of things that might occur in “real life” when printing. He was able to manage all of the students really well — we all were able to get a lot of 1:1 support and get all our questions answered — without the classroom environment ever feeling rushed or chaotic.”

“Alan was very approachable when we had questions and very gracious when he felt it was important to offer us suggestions. He created the kind of learning environment where anyone can thrive.”