Jobbing Platen Certificate Program

Chandler and Price may have ceased production of presses in 1964, but these stalwart machines will carry on the work to be done for decades to come. In light of that, we are offering our Core Certificate Program on these “Jobbing Platen” presses for those who want to treadle while they print. The jobbing platen is a workhorse for edition printing; once the printer understands how it responds, it faithfully and efficiently moves through the work. Students who finish the four core classes are qualified to rent press time as well as move on to more advanced classes and techniques.  Click here to learn more about the Core Certification Program and find out how you can get a discount on all your classes.

Jobbing Platen Core 4 – Digital into Analog

Bring digital back into analog in this final Core Certificate Program course and learn to print from photopolymer plates. Apply your letterpress skills to artwork created digitally to make the plates print fantastic. Walk away with a stack of greeting cards printed from polymer plates.

Competencies Gained:

• Builds on skills from Core 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

• Equipment

  • Increased familiarity with running the jobbing platen press

Materials to Bring: None

Prerequisite: Jobbing Platen Core 1, 2, 3

Workshop Fee: $200

Date & Time: Sunday, October 25, 2015 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: This 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 

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.“