New workshops at New North Press

posted by Amber Weaver November 2, 2016

Currently, there is a well known renaissance and surge in popularity of letterpress printing. It could be seen as a response to the digitisation of the modern world, in a similar way to the Arts & Crafts movement’s reaction against industrialisation, or simply a passing trend. Aiming to keep the craft of letterpress alive is artisan letterpress print studio New North Press. The press is renowned for its obsession and intense passion about the physicality of handling type and the control you have over the tiniest details when both design and printing. Thinking of type and spacing as physical objects, enabling a feeling of construction, like an infinite jigsaw of possibilities.Established in 1986, the press was founded by Graham Bignell in New North Road, a short walk from Coronet Street where they have been since 1993. The partnership now includes Richard Ardagh and Beatrice Bless, assisted by Angie Gough and Ian MacDonald.The press teaches a varity of workshops, aiming to pass on the rich and extensive knowledge involved in the world of the letterpress. They also take on commissioned projects for clients large and small: producing their own print editions and books which are exhibited and sold in the UK and Japan. Recently they’ve launched their very first Intensive Letterpress Class, a four week class involving making your own personalised 2017 calendar.The class allows its participants to use a remarkable private collection of over 700 different fonts and borders out of the New North Press letterpress type library. During the 4 weeks evening workshop participants will have the chance to hand-set their personalised calendar or poster and print an edition on a traditional hand-pulled Albion or Columbian Press.