This three-hour workshop teaches students how to make detailed photopolymer plates that result in high-quality letterpress prints. The course includes discussions of how to produce both metal-backed and sticky-backed plates from film and digital files. No prior darkroom experience is needed, but a basic knowledge of letterpress printing or computer typesetting is helpful. Students have the option to make a plate from their own files; the parameters for these digital files will be sent out before class. The Photopolymer Platemaking Lab qualifies participants to rent SFCB’s photopolymer plate maker.

Materials to bring: None

Materials Fee: Students submitting their own files to make plates will be charged $15.00 for film and $20.00 for plate material at the end of the class. Please note: those who register within three days of the workshop may not be able to make a plate from their own negatives.

Date & Time: Thursday, June 5, 2014 | 6:30pm-9:30pm

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

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

About the Instructor | Rocket Caleshu

Rocket Caleshu (Brown University, AB Africana Studies) is a letterpress printer and textile artist. He has studied letterpress printing at Penland School of Craft. In the words of one student, "what Rocket Caleshu lacks in paperwork (er, MFA) he makes up for with natural skill as a master of the fine art of printing."

"Rocket is an exceptional instructor and a lovely person. All my questions were answered completely. I highly recommend this instructor!"

"So much fun to see how this art is actually created. Rocket was the best teacher. Very enthusiastic & knowledgeable!"

"I had a great time and can't wait for my next workshop"