This is an in-person workshop. All students and the instructor are required to be vaccinated (honor system) and agree to wear a mask for the duration of the class. If you choose to complete the registration process you are agreeing to these terms.
 

Pressure printing is a unique alternative to incorporating imagery into letterpress prints. The process uses a flexible plate made from layered paper pieces that gets printed behind another piece of paper over a flat, inked surface.

In this workshop students will learn how to deconstruct an image, build a plate by hand, and print their plates. The instructor will discuss methods for transcribing pictures into cut paper and the process of layering plates to create gradients and detail. Students will learn the basics of letterpress printing and once the imagery is printed, the instructor will demonstrate how to cut the sheet to create an accordion fold and bind it into a small book. The goal is to make enough copies to share with every student in class so everyone can go home with an edition.

During the first evening, the process of printing on a hand-fed cylinder proof press will be discussed. Plans will also be made for the images that will be printed. In the second class session the matrices will be printed, cut, folded, and glued together. The book cover will be created out of two pieces of cloth covered bookboard.

This workshop is open to experienced letterpress printers as well as beginners.

Materials to Bring:

Pen or pencil and paper for note taking, an image to use for the project.

Optional and available at SFCB for student use during workshop: scissors, utility knife.

Workshop Fee (includes $20 materials fee): $145.00
Scholarships are available; please apply here.

Date & Time: Mondays, October 18 & 25, 2021 :: 6:00-9:00pm

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 1 DAY PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

About the Instructor | Bettina Pauly

Bettina lives in San Francisco as a book artist and works as a letterpress printer with Kim Vanderheiden at Painted Tongue Studios, Oakland, California. She loves books and boxes both as physical objects and as containers of meaning. She is interested in a variety of folded, sewn and woven structures in which she can incorporate her printing.

Past Student Reviews:

 “Great instruction. Terrific materials. Bettina was so organized and patient and beyond creative!”

“The instructor was a delight!”

“Great hands-on experience that definitely made me curious to learn more.”

“Bettina was extremely passionate about letterpress, and her enthusiasm was infectious.”