Introduction to Iron Hand Press

 Registration is closed for this event

April 16th, 2018 1:00 PM

  • Instructor: Chad Johnson
  • Workshop Type: Printing
  • Workshop Status: Open
  • Workshop Start: April 16th, 2018 1:00 PM
  • Workshop End: April 16th, 2018 4:00 PM
  • Sessions: 1

The Iron Hand Press is a workhorse from the nineteenth century that welds modern printing to its earliest incarnations over five hundred years ago. This class offers an overview of the practices and principals of doing edition work on this venerable printing press. From the basics of imposing on the stone to locking the inner chase and packing the outer tympan, students will get a full tour of the handpress and its workflow and walk away with a folded keepsake inked and printed on the Center’s own Reliance Midget.


Materials to Bring: None.

Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $65.00

Date & Time: Monday, April 16, 2018 :: 1-4pm

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 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.


About the Instructor | Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson is an artist, printer, bookbinder, and teacher who has been living in the Bay Area for over a decade. After earning an MFA in Book Arts/Printmaking from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he has worked in conservation labs, letterpress shops, and libraries. He has experience conserving historic books, analyzing collections of rare books, working with artists and authors, printing professionally on many different letterpress machines, and teaching and sharing his love of books and printing. As SFCB's Studio Director | Resident Instructor, he brings knowledge and experience fueled by passion and enthusiasm for the art and craft of making books by hand. From digital typesetting to steamroller printing to fixing presses to talking about letterpress history, Chad is always happy to help students and artists learn to express themselves through the powerful medium of the handmade book.


Past Student Reviews:

“Chad was able to teach us well the advantages of an iron hand press. He compared the advantages against other types of presses and we were able to print the exercise he had planned, and then he taught us other useful tricks for better printing while printing a second exercise. I enjoyed the class and Chad's teaching.”

“I learned several aspects about the iron hand press and will be able to operate one if I ever get one.”

“Chad delved into additional details for better printing, which was an added bonus.”

375 Rhode Island St
San Francisco, CA 94103-5133
United States