Letterpress as a Business
May 27th, 2015 6:30 PM
- Instructor: Alan Hillesheim
- Workshop Type: Printing
- Workshop Status: Closed
- Workshop Start: May 27th, 2015 6:30 PM
- Workshop End: May 27th, 2015 9:30 PM
- Sessions: 1
Letterpress as a Business is a three hour seminar for those who have started, and those who would like to start, a commercial letterpress business. We will discuss some basic business models, target clientele, and ways to advertise. We will focus on the basics of job economics ie. how to estimate commercial jobs emphasizing material expense, labor, overhead costs as well as profit margins. There will also be a discussion of some of the pitfalls and drawbacks of starting such a business in today's economy. Although the rewards may seem obvious, we will balance our discussion of letterpress as a business with a close look at the success and rewards of such a venture. Seminar participants should come prepared with a full or rough idea of what they would like their business to look like and have plenty of questions to fuel the conversation.
Materials to Bring: None
Workshop + Materials fee: $70
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 | 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: 375 Rhode Island Street San Francisco, CA 94013
Note: Please read the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class
About the Instructor | Alan Hillesheim
Alan Hillesheim has degrees in English Literature from UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago. Thus, lost in the woods without a compass, he apprenticed at Jim Robertson's Yolla Bolly Press, over his head in the black art. There he happened upon a dysfunctional paper-folding-machine which resembled a Norwegian snow sled wrecked by six drunks. He fixed it. And then began a 23 year adventure both printing and fixing machines from the golden age of letterpress. In addition to running Digger Pine Press into the ground, he also builds wooden boats for oar and sail and, most recently, fanciful wooden toys for a four year old. He is still writing the novel he started 25 years ago, Different Eyes.
Student Reviews
"Wonderful that he is extremely knowledgeable and is current in printing."
“Very much appreciated the one-on-one attention and support and encouragement, including answering off-topic questions.”
“Total wealth of knowledge! Alan is awesome and has a great sense of humor.“