Cylinder Core Certificate Program

The handfed cylinder proof press, also known as the Vandercook press, has a special place in both print history and in teaching book arts. Immediate and accessible, yet nuanced and specific, it is the press that introduced many of us to letterpress. The four class Cylinder Core Certificate Program allows students to move quickly through the press basics while also addressing relief printing in general. 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 receive a discount.

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Cylinder Core 2 :: Power of the Broadside

Build your letterpress skills: learn advanced justification, typesetting, and composition. Put it all together to print a broadside of your own design.

Competencies Gained:

• Builds on skills from Cylinder Core 1

• Knowledge:

  • How composition, justification and registration combine on press

• Skills:

  • Basic letterpress design

  • Composition of a tight line

  • Line justification

  • Making a line cut work with type

  • Locking up a form in a chase

  • Case memorization for speed in composition and distribution

  • Proficiency in using the composing stick

• Equipment:

  • Increased familiarity with the cylinder (Vandercook) press

All paper for SFCB's Core Certificate Program projects has been generously provided by Mohawk.

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Materials to Bring: None

Workshop + Materials Fee: $200.00*

*Students who sign up for the full workshop series (September-December, 2019) after August 31, 2019 will receive a $100 discount.

Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 2019 :: 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

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

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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.

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Past Student Reviews:

“I really enjoyed Alan's attitude (nothing is a mistake in letterpress!) and getting to do most of the printing process by myself. I thought he called out a lot of interesting/informative details as we were each printing on different presses.”

“Alan was super cool and it was fun learning from him!”

“I was very impressed and grateful for Alan's expertise and delivery. Class was fun and extremely informative.”

“I liked many things, but primarily Alan did a wonderful job of building the class around learning how to work with the press and adjust its several components. We all already knew how to set type, so that was just a fun bonus to do that again. Alan was also generous in the way he spent time with each student addressing their particular needs and wants in the workshop and in regards to their studio situation outside of SFCB.”

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Customize Your Certificate Program :: Choose the Date of Your Next Class

Cylinder Core 3 :: Posterized