From Type To Page: A Year In Letterpress

Leicester Print Workshop are delighted to offer a real exploration of type in all its formats across a huge range of projects that come together to create a comprehensive toolkit for any artist interested in beginning or developing their Letterpress practice.

The course is designed to build understanding of the detailed nature of Letterpress through monthly sessions which will work best if extended by using the free membership that goes with this course. Participants will have an incredible array of presses and type collection (both lead and wood) with which to realise their ambitions.

The course springs from the newly improved and developed letterpress area in LPW’s studio and access to not only presses but materials and technical support make this year long course really special in its scope and generosity.

We welcome those with no previous experience alongside those with experience of printmaking, whether you have a background in literature or writing, graphic design, typography or fine art printmaking the course will build from the very basics to advanced letterpress.

The course is aimed at building a vocabulary and in-depth knowledge of printing with type, including all the skills for single sheet printing, posters and book work - both single and multiple colour. This will provide participants with a strong foundation and offer opportunity to discover new routes through their practice.

Participants will benefit from a three-day orientation workshop which will focus on getting the group up to speed with the relief presses and beginning the year-long programme with a solid start. This is followed by ten 6-hour monthly studio sessions and one offsite visit. Included in the course is free studio membership inclusive of hours so that you can really make the most of this opportunity – Open Access is Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and is fully supported by LPW’s technical team. Your orientation days will include a studio induction and you will be welcomed with a bespoke pack of information, paper samples and basic kit aimed towards getting you up and running straight away.

Once inducted into the studio, participants will benefit from access to great quality artist materials, the letterpress resources (including type collection, iron hand presses, cylinder and galley proofing presses and Adana presses and general technician assistance, as well as written materials, and a safe and exclusive online space to facilitate sharing and peer-to-peer support.

This will allow you to develop ideas, practice between sessions, and hone your skills at your own pace. The year will conclude with the option of participation in a showcase of works made during the year in LPW’s beautiful gallery space. Please contact the Education Manager with queries and questions about this course and do consider booking the “Year Long Letterpress: Find Out More” taster session to have an opportunity to meet Theo and David and chat through any questions you may have. If you decide to book the full course we will refund the small fee charged for the taster.

FAQ

What level of experience do I need for this course?

This is a course that is suitable for all levels of experience and full instruction will be given in each technique but it is also a great opportunity for more experienced makers to delve into unknown territory and see where their practice can be developed.

Can I discuss any queries I may have with someone about if this course is right for me?

Yes, please contact the Education Programme Manager, Kate at k.dacasto@leicesterprintworkshop.com with any queries you may have regarding the content of the course. Please contact our Operations Manager Kezia at k.kneller@leicesterprintworkshop.com with anything regarding payment or membership.

Is there a way to spread payments over the year?

We will take a non refundable deposit of £600 and the remaining cost can be split over the length of the course in a monthly direct debit. This option can be discussed with Kezia in person, by phone or email.

What materials will I have access to?

During your taught weekend sessions all materials will be provided. When you choose to come in using your free membership, you will need to purchase any materials as necessary. You are also welcome to bring in your own materials.

How does the membership offer work?

You will have year long membership to LPW (including free Open Access hours) from 18th April 2026 to 30th April 2027.

You will have a free induction to the studio space with a technician. Your induction will set you up with all the necessary Health and Safety processes and general studio procedures to ensure you are happy and comfortable using the space unaided.

As a member, you will be able to purchase discounted art materials including paper and you will also receive a 10% discount code for courses. You will receive a digital ‘members pack’ which gives you important studio information, a reminder of procedures and price lists for any materials you may wish to purchase. You will also receive the members newsletter which is full of opportunities, studio news and info.

How do I access the workshop during Open Access?

Open Access is Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm.

During this period we have technician cover to ensure your queries can be answered and to facilitate the studio space. You can come in and use the space in the areas you know how to use once your induction has taken place.

What support will I receive during the year?

You will receive a combination of group learning with 1-2-1 feedback from your tutors. These will be scheduled throughout each term.

You will also be enrolled into an online ‘classroom’ which is only accessible by LPW, your tutors and year-long group – it is an easily accessible space for you to all share resources and receive peer to peer support.

There will always be a studio technician in Open Access hours to help with basic queries.

Will the monthly sessions be studio based?

Yes, you will be based in the studio space for your taught sessions and will be encouraged to use the studio between sessions to extend your learning by taking advantage of the free membership.

What will I have access to?

You will have access to the following-

• Adana Hand Presses, a Columbian Relief Press, a Britannia Relief Press, a Stephenson Blake Cylinder Proofing Press, a Beevers Hydraulic Press, a Galley Press and a range of hand burnishing tools.
• Fine art papers
• Professional Artist Relief Ink

Will there be a way to continue with my Print practice after the end of the course?

You would be able to join as a member and continue your practice in our studio. We also organise 1-2-1’s as requested and of course, we have a full programme of courses as part of our education offer.

I would like to discuss accessibility needs I may have, what do I do?

Please email k.dacasto@leicesterprintworkshop.com with any queries, concerns or accommodations that may be necessary to make your time in the studio easier.

What happens if I am already a member of LPW?

As the course includes free membership and hours we will not be offering member discount on this course. Current members will receive a free years membership - please see Kezia if you wish to discuss how this works. If you have a locker or drawer, you will need to pay for this as usual.

Tutor Bios

Theo Miller is a visual artist and printmaker, born in Leicester. He gained a first class degree in Fine Art from De Montfort University in 2014. Miller is currently living and working in Leicester as an Artist and also as a Technician for De Montfort University.

Printmaking, for Miller is an axis, a locus. He describes the beauty of printmaking to be that the final image is always affected by, and integral to the process itself. Miller is currently focusing on letterpress, after being granted the Print Futures Award 2017.

David Armes is an artist working with print, language and geography. His work is frequently site-specific and considers how sense and experience of place can be represented. It explores the ways we describe liminal states and how landscape shapes understanding. He works primarily with letterpress printing on paper and, through using what was once an industrial process, he is interested in where the multiple meets the unique, where the ephemeral meets the archival.

David's Red Plate Press studio is based on the disputed border between West Yorkshire and Lancashire in the South Pennine hills. He travels frequently for residencies and has spent many months in the USA in the past three years working alongside contemporary letterpress practitioners, thanks to a travelling fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and a grant from the Arts Council/British Council Artists’ International Development Fund. He has recently shown work in the USA, UK, Germany and Russia, and was shortlisted for the 2017 Flourish Excellence in Printmaking award.