Letterpress Printing: A Timeless Craft and the Legacy of the Heidelberg Windmill

posted by Marcroy February 26, 2024

Letterpress printing stands as a testament to the enduring allure of craftsmanship in the digital age. This traditional form of printing, characterised by its distinctive tactile and visual quality, involves pressing inked type or images into paper, creating a debossed effect that is highly valued in high-quality, artisanal print work. The origins of letterpress printing trace back to the 15th century, attributed to Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable type printing press around 1440. This revolutionary technology marked the beginning of mass communication in Europe, making books and printed materials accessible to a broader audience and significantly impacting society.

The Heidelberg Windmill, formally known as the Heidelberg Tiegel, is a crown jewel in the history of letterpress printing. Developed by the German company Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, this iconic press was introduced in the 1920s and quickly became renowned for its reliability, precision, and efficiency. The “Windmill” nickname derives from the distinctive rotating arms used to feed and remove paper, resembling the blades of a windmill. The Heidelberg Windmill was a symbol of innovation, capable of printing as well as die-cutting, embossing, and scoring; making it a versatile tool for printers.

Over the years, the Heidelberg Windmill has become a staple in print shops worldwide, appreciated for its ability to produce high-quality work with remarkable consistency. Although the advent of digital printing technologies in the late 20th century led to a decline in traditional letterpress printing, the Heidelberg Windmill holds a special place in the hearts of artisans and collectors. Today, it is sought after by letterpress enthusiasts and artisan printers who value the unique qualities that only a traditional press can impart to printed materials.

In the contemporary context, letterpress is often associated with premium, bespoke products such as wedding invitations, business cards, stationery, limited edition books, and artistic prints. The unique impression left by the type and images pressed into soft paper offers a sensory experience that distinguishes letterpress items from those produced by modern printing methods. This resurgence in popularity is partly driven by a desire for authenticity and a personal touch in an increasingly digital world.

The United Kingdom, with its rich printing history, is home to numerous letterpress insitutions that keep the tradition alive, blending old-world techniques with contemporary design. Below, we have compiled 20 of these notable places, who each contribute to the vibrant letterpress community.

1. New North PressNew North Press in East London is a distinguished letterpress printing studio that has established itself as a pillar of the traditional printing community. Founded in 1986 by Graham Bignell, their studio is an Aladdin’s cave of traditional printing equipment and has been used as a location for films and documentaries. However, it is a working space, not a museum, and they actively seek to collaborate on projects with companies and individuals, as well as sharing their facilities and knowledge of letterpress through regular teaching.

2. TyporetumUtilising traditional craft skills and their antique printing presses, Typoretum provide a comprehensive letterpress printing and design service. Their Essex-based studio hosts an extensive library of metal and wooden letterpress type. Their team also work from supplied digital artwork, from which they etch metal relief plates for letterpress printing, foil stamping or embossing. Founded in 2008 by Justin Knopp and his family, today Typoretum operates as a contemporary letterpress design and printing studio offering a wide variety of services creating everything from greeting cards to editioned prints. These services also include short courses and internship opportunities to ensure that the craft is kept alive and continues to be taught to a new generation of letterpress printers, designers, and enthusiasts.

3. The Letterpress CollectiveThe Letterpress Collective is the printshop of The Department of Small Works which was created as a home for design, photography, and print. Both reside in Centrespace, a cooperative of artists and craftspeople, in Bristol’s Old City. The printshop work on Letterpress commissions, collaborations with artists and writers, and their own print work. They also run an exciting array of workshops aimed at introducing the craft to beginners and teaching its wonderful history.

4. Incline PressCelebrated for their exquisite handcrafted books, Oldham-based Incline Press is a private fine press publisher stubbornly printing with hand set, metal type on a collection of vintage machines, and working with poets and artists to make limited edition books and ephemera. To date, they have published over one hundred books, and have collaborated with many illustrators on hand-drawn or engraved illustrations that complement the textual content. At Incline Press, each book is a work of art, meticulously crafted with a deep respect for the materials and processes that define letterpress printing.

5. Hand & EyeA small social enterprise with an emphasis on the quality printing of books, stationery and much more, Hand & Eye are a London-based letterpress publisher. Books have always been important to them, and they printed their first one soon after buying an Adana table-top press in the mid-1970s. It took another fifteen years or so before they were properly equipped for printing them, though, and after commissions for catalogues and booklets they issued the first publication under their own imprint in 2003. Today, they also print for other publishers, both public and private.

6. The Print ProjectLocated in Shipley, West Yorkshire, The Print Project is a dynamic letterpress printing studio that stands out for its bold use of typography and colour, often combining them in ways that challenge conventional letterpress aesthetics. This innovative approach results in printed materials that are visually striking with a contemporary edge. The Print Project’s portfolio is diverse, encompassing posters, artist books, and bespoke stationery, characterised by layered textures, intricate patterns, and an inventive use of negative space. The studio also delivers workshops that enable people of all ages to delve into the world of letterpress printing.

7. St Bride FoundationEstablished in 1891 in the heart of London, the St Bride foundation was originally conceived as a social, educational, and cultural centre for the burgeoning printing and publishing industry in the Fleet Street area, once renowned as the hub of London’s newspaper business. Over the years, St Bride Foundation has evolved into a vital resource for anyone interested in the history and craft of printing, typography, and design. Today, it has found a new contemporary audience of designers, printmakers, and typographers who enjoy their regular programme of design events and workshops. Many thousands of books, printing-related periodicals, and physical objects are housed in the St Bride Library.

8. BlushFounded in 2006, Blush is a letterpress print studio based in an old paper mill in North Wales, UK. They work with graphic designers, artists, business owners, and design-minded individuals to realise their designs onto some of the worlds most beautiful paper stocks. Blush’s product range is diverse, including bespoke wedding invitations, personalised stationery, business cards, and limited edition prints.

9. Mr Smith’s Letterpress WorkshopLed by master printer Kelvyn Smith, Mr Smith’s Letterpress Workshop create exquisitely crafted contemporary typographic printed matter using wood and metal type. Kelvyn brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to his craft. His expertise in typography and design, combined with a meticulous approach to printing has resulted in commissions, public art opportunities ,and work for film and tv. The workshop also offers a range of courses and workshops designed to introduce participants to the joys of letterpress printing.

10. The Counter PressBased between the cultural and historic cities of Bristol and Bath, The Counter Press is built around a unique collection of wood and metal type, and a selection of traditional printing presses. The independent letterpress studio is the brainchild of Elizabeth Ellis and David Marshall, and is run with the aim to preserve the skills and materials of traditional handset typography and fine printing, while developing and promoting its relevance in a contemporary context. All of their work is produced on their collection of vintage printing presses, all operated by hand (and sometimes foot).

11. The Smallprint CompanyOperating from Derby, The Smallprint Company is a traditional letterpress and design studio founded by Hannah and Chris Barker. The heritage print shop specialises in Wedding Stationery and teaching the craft of letterpress through their workshops. The pair have combined their love of typography and design with their commercial experience to explore the world of traditional letterpress print, using antique presses, original type, beautiful papers, and hand mixed inks. Additional services include bookmaking workshops, gallery space, copy shop, gift shop, and a creative workspace which is available for hire.

12. Meticulous InkMeticulous Ink, located in the historic city of Bath, UK, is a refined stationery and letterpress printing studio that is a haven for those who appreciate the artistry and tactile quality of bespoke printed materials, ranging from luxurious wedding stationery to bespoke business cards and personalised correspondence sets. Meticulous Ink is also renowned for its exquisite range of ready-to-purchase stationery. From elegantly embossed notecards, to sumptuously thick cotton paper goods, each product reflects the studio’s passion for the tactile pleasures of paper and print. In addition to their printing services, Meticulous Ink is dedicated to spreading the joy and knowledge of traditional printing and calligraphy through a series of workshops and events.

13. Glasgow PressGlasgow Press brings a touch of the artisan to everything it produces, including bespoke stationery, intricate business cards, and unique wedding invitations. Their Heidelberg and Vandercook presses allow them to produce high quality craftsmanship at reasonable costs, in runs from one piece to tens of thousands. Keen to keep the craft of letterpress alive, Glasgow Press also offer courses to share their print knowledge with others.

14. Mostly FlatBased in Brampton Bryan, on the Shropshire/Herefordshire borders, Mostly Flat houses a growing collection of antique and vintage wood and metal type, ornaments, image blocks, two floor-standing cast iron hand-fed presses (one foot-operated, one powered), a range of tabletop platen presses, and four flatbed proof presses. The studio’s founder, Dulcie Fulton, produces prints, posters, ephemera and artists books, which they also sell online. These works often involve a play on words and language, with a humorous or playful edge. One of relatively few letterpress artists working with hand-set type and ornaments, they thrive on the restricted palette enforced by working with a limited set of materials.

15. Type TomTom Boulton’s Sussex workshop houses 13 presses and a large collection of both wood and metal type. Tom uses his decade of experience on commissions of typographic work, product development, education, and as an event and experience organiser. He has worked for a variety of clients on contemporary design and print commissions including Tate Modern, V&A, and Fortnum and Mason.

16. The Hunter PressThe Hunter Press is a design and letterpress print studio run by Lyndsey Hunter Davidson on the outskirts of Dunkeld, Highland Perthshire, Scotland. Alongside letterpress printing they also offer Hot Foil Printing, Die-Cutting, and additional print finishing services. All of their work is designed and printed in their cottage studio, where Lyndsey combines her passion for Scottish contemporary design with both traditional and modern printing techniques. The Hunter Press create high quality, hand crafted paper goods from the finest FSC Certified and Cotton papers around.

17. ArtcadiaArtcadia is an award winning letterpress stationery print and design studio based in Shrewsbury, UK, offering design, print, letterpress, hot foil, and embossing across a beautiful collection of wedding invitations and stationery. Founded in 2009, the studio believe in the creation of beautiful things that are made in a beautiful way where the artistry of design and the materials are highly cherished. Thus, they print sustainably, using vegetable oil based inks and low-VOC and citrus-based solvents. All of their paper offcuts are recycled and old ink tins and used rags are kept out of landfill.

18. LCBABased in what was once the heart of east London’s print industry, the London Centre for Book Arts is an artist-run, open-access studio offering education programmes for the community and affordable access to resources for artists and designers. The Centre’s mission is to foster and promote book arts and artist-led publishing in the UK through collaboration, education, distribution, and by providing open-access to printing, binding and publishing facilities. The unique facilities at LCBA are available to everyone regardless of background, education or experience.

19. Nomad LetterpressNomad Letterpress is run by Pat Randle from the Whittington Press, Cheltenham. They specialise in high quality book work both for clients and under their own imprint, and also run letterpress workshops throughout the year. The studio operate with the belief that printing and designing using the third dimension (be it with wood, metal, lino or hardened plastics) cannot be surpassed for quality and character. In each project they undertake, the creative possibilities of printing by letterpress are fully exploited.

20. Letterpress DesignBased on the beautiful Isle of Wight, Letterpress Design provide a creative and adventurous letterpress service. They are more than a letterpress invitation card and stationery business, as they provide superior quality, impressive designs, personally styled. and hand made quality bespoke stationery and packaging. Over the years they have added to their collection of presses and now boast 3 heidelberg platens, 2 15×10’s and 18×13, a Chandler & Price, a Jardine, a Farley flatbed proofing press, a Marshall DUT hotfoil machine, and several Adanas.