Letterpress Book in a Day

 Registration is closed for this event

August 14th, 2015 9:30 AM

  • Instructor: Mary Laird
  • Workshop Type: Printing
  • Workshop Status: Closed
  • Workshop Start: August 14th, 2015 9:30 AM
  • Workshop End: August 14th, 2015 5:30 PM
  • Sessions: 1

Make an edition of three chapbooks with master printer Mary Risala Laird in this beginning-level daylong letterpress workshop.

During the Letterpress Book in a Day class, students will gain an overview of how to set type, mix ink, prepare makeready, deal with kiss-off, determine paper grain, read a pica ruler, cut and wax thread, and sew a pamphlet-stitch book, all while collaborating on ideas! Laird will also go over pulling proofs, making corrections, printing, and distributing type and spacing.

There will be a working lunch, during which students will vote on a theme for the class book, and, afterwards, students will work in teams on the book cover, colophon, text, title page, and half title page.

Every student will get to print each page of the book and will go home with three copies of the edition.


Materials to Bring: Writing utensil and paper for note taking, if desired. Handouts with most information will be supplied by the instructor.

Workshop + Materials Fee: $175.00

Date & Time: Friday, August 14, 2015 | 9:30am-5:30pm

LocationThis workshop will take place at 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.


About the Instructor | Mary Laird

Mary Laird, MFA University of Wisconsin at Madison, has been printing letterpress as Quelquefois Press since 1969. Mary loves to tutor projects at SFCB. See a video of Mary Laird here.


Past Student Reviews

"I was intimidated by letterpress at first, but Mary changed all of that. She is dedicated to making sure her students succeed all while having an amazing (and hilarious) time."

"Mary is so charmingly enthusiastic and supportive it makes everything fly beautifully!"

"Mary was a delight; informative, welcoming, and obviously skilled in her discipline."