Letterpress I

Course Code: 25MLP100IA

This 5 week, in-person workshop takes place at CBA on Tuesdays, June 10th - July 8th, from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET.

  • Tuesday, June 10th, from 6PM to 9PM ET
  • Tuesday, June 17th, from 6PM to 9PM ET
  • Tuesday, June 24th, from 6PM to 9PM ET
  • Tuesday, July 1st, from 6PM to 9PM ET
  • Tuesday, July 8th, from 6PM to 9PM ET

Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on May 27th at 11:59pm.


About the Workshop:

Letterpress is one of the oldest forms of printmaking and it is a versatile asset to the book artist in the production of editions, text, images, and more. In this workshop, students will learn the basics of how to set up and print on a Vandercook press, and how to properly clean up and maintain the press for consistent results. Students will learn the essentials of letterpress printing including lockup, packing, inking, registration, impression, paper selection, troubleshooting, and cleanup. This workshop is ideal for artists, aspiring publishers, and anyone who wants to get their hands dirty with a little history and fun. This workshop prepares the student for the next course in CBA’s letterpress learning track, Intro to Typography on Press (Letterpress 2). Class size is limited to ensure an optimal student-to-teacher ratio. Register now before the remaining spots fill up!


Required Materials:

  • Pencil and paper for taking notes
  • Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get stained or dirty (CBA will provide aprons, but the ink used on press can stain)

All other materials will be provided by Center for Book Arts at no additional cost.


About the Instructor

Roni Gross is a book artist whose work is in the collections of The Library of Congress, The Bodleian, Harvard, Yale, and many other public and private collections. She runs Z’roah Press which produces limited edition sculptural books. Gross has been an instructor at Center for Book Arts teaching letterpress technique and much more for a number of years. She also teaches at SUNY Purchase and has taught at Penland and is a recipient of an Anolic Family grant and an LMCC grant. In 2019 she initiated the Book Talk series that continues to feature a diverse range of artists and scholars. 


All images courtesy of the instructor.

Class size is limited to ensure an optimal participant to Instructor ratio. Register now before spots fill up! The registration fee for this workshop is $525 + a $25 materials fee. Registration for this workshop closes on May 27th, 2025 at 11:59pm. If you cannot comfortably pay tuition but are interested in taking this class, please consider filling out our financial assistance application here. We will notify you if you are selected to receive a scholarship before the start date of the class.

Registration is closed. Return to all Classes.