Letterpress
The Physical Poetry of Movable Type
Introduction to Letterpress
Enter the world of tactile typography through hands-on exploration of metal and wooden type. Working with traditional hand-setting techniques and vintage letterpress equipment, you'll discover the physical poetry of movable type—the weight of lead letters, the mechanics of spacing, the satisfaction of a perfectly inked impression. Through experimental projects and small editions, you'll develop fluency in typographic language, print production, and the material culture of communication. Create artist books, broadside posters, and limited-run portfolios that bridge historical craft and contemporary expression. No prior experience necessary—just curiosity about making words physical.
Innovative Letterpress
Letterpress becomes your laboratory. This advanced course challenges you to push beyond traditional printing into hybrid territories where type meets image, where analog processes collide with digital interventions. Combine letterpress with drawing, photography, collage, risograph, laser cutting, or hand-binding to develop a cohesive body of experimental work. Projects might explore concrete poetry, deconstructed text, visual narratives, or typographic installations. Through regular critiques and technical demonstrations, you'll refine both craft and concept—learning when to honor tradition and when to break it. Prerequisite: PRMK 308 or instructor approval.
Letterpress III
This advanced studio course positions letterpress as a vehicle for sustained artistic investigation. Working independently with faculty guidance, you'll develop a sophisticated portfolio that demonstrates technical mastery and conceptual depth. Explore complex multi-color registration, non-traditional substrates, sculptural book structures, or large-format printing. Emphasis on creating visual sequences, narrative arcs, and edition work of exhibition quality. Weekly critiques examine your work within contemporary book arts, graphic design, and fine art contexts. By semester's end, you'll complete a cohesive body of work ready for portfolio presentation or independent exhibition. Prerequisites: PRMK 308 and PRMK 311.