Sarah Archer, director of the letterpress program at the Hoffman Center, will be keeping office hours in the shop every Thursday from 11am to 4pm. This is a weekly opportunity for anyone curious about letterpress printing to stop by and learn about the process & the product, as well as an “open studio” for anyone who has taken a letterpress workshop at the Center to receive help with their independent printing projects.
The Hoffman Center’s letterpress shop boasts a 100+ year old Chandler and Price platen job press, a 26″ lever paper cutter that used to belong to the Daily Astorian (can cut up to a ream of paper at a time!), a collection of metal and wood typefaces, and a selection of antique ornaments and image blocks. We even have a system for printing text and images from computer files. Wondering what in the world all those terms mean? Thought about taking a workshop in the past but unsure if letterpress is for you? Come to the print shop during open hours, Thursdays from 11am to 4pm.
Additionally, we are are offering a work trade opportunity not just limited to Thursdays: help organize the shop and receive free instruction in the art of letterpress at the same time! The work includes putting type (individual letters) away as well as identifying and labeling typefaces. This is an ideal way to begin to learn how to print and will especially interest anyone with a love of graphic design and/or history. Contact Sarah to schedule a session (anywhere from 1 to 4 hours) : accidentalpress at gmail.com or (503) 739-1939