Cylinder Core Certificate Program
The hand-fed 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 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. Core classes must be taken in order, 1 through 4.
Click here to learn more about the Cylinder Core Certificate Program and how to receive a discount.
Cylinder Core 2 :: Power of the Broadside
A broadside is a single-sided printed sheet historically used for advertisements, proclamations, or other public announcements, though in modern times they're most often used for poetry.
In Core 2 you'll build your letterpress skills: learn advanced justification, typesetting, and composition, then put it all together to print a single-color 8 x 10" 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
Materials to Bring
All tools and materials will be provided. Students can bring some ideas for what to set as multi-line text, with the understanding that the instructor will have final say in what will be appropriate for this project. Poems, song lyrics, and pithy paragraphs are good candidates.
Please note: Class projects are for learning particular skills and supporting class dynamics. Project ideas should be flexible, open to what class time and communal studio use will permit.
About the Instructor
Alan Hillesheim (he/him) has been wrenching around printing presses for 35 years. Printing presses need to be moved, oiled, inked, cleaned, and maintained, in short they need attention like a six year old. Maintenance is a dirty business, but a necessary one for beautifully printed anything. Alan has a passion for the mechanics of the print studio and enjoys encouraging others to roll up their sleeves and grab a wrench. His 35 years in the letterpress business and “all-ten-fingers” count speak for themselves. Join him and wear old clothes. Oh, and once the press is in fine order, Alan has a few secrets to divulge about perfect inking and stellar printing.
Past Student Reviews
supportive of all of the ideas that we had.”
“So much fun! It was a complicated class, yet with individual help we all accomplished the objectives. I've yet to take a mediocre class at the center.”
“Very clear, always open to questions, I got plenty of focused hands-on help. It was a great experience.”
“Alan is a very clear communicator, super informative. Typesetting & press time was maximized.”
“New challenges compared to Core 1. Opportunity to build on skills learned.”
Location
San Francisco Center for the Book
375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration Policies
Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close approximately three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. We recommend you not wait to register, as workshops that don't meet our minimum enrollment will be canceled, sometimes as much as a week in advance.