Letterpress and Book Arts Education
An important goal of Brian Allen and Officina Briani is to be an educational resource for the craft of letterpress printing and the book arts.
These are the class offerings for Winter 2010; see the sidebar for the dates:
The Introduction to Letterpress Printing, Weekend, class is a one weekend unit.
We will cover the basics of hand-setting lead type, lockup, makeready, inking, and presswork. We will also cover the use of photopolymer plates, to show how to go from computer-derived designs to letterpress. Learn about getting plates made, adhering them to bases, lockup, makeready, presswork. Class size maximum: 4
The Introduction to Letterpress Printing class is also offered on separate days (Saturdays), so you don't lose an entire weekend. Day 1 focusses on handset type, makeready and printing. Day 2 focusses on printing from photopolymer plates, but reviews working with lead type and may include some work with wood type. Day 1 is a prerequisite for taking Day 2. Class maximum: 4
Fun With Wood Type is an opportunity to explore positive and negative spaces, color overlays, and emphasizing serendipity! Class maximum: 4
Pressure Printing on the Platen Press [an intermediate class] Previous printing experience needed. Learn techniques to add tonal range with the single ink color being used for the main type/image. Class maximum: 4
Issues of Madeready on the Platen Press [an intermediate class] Previous printing experience needed. Learn how to properly make ready the press, fix problems during a press run, etc. Mostly using lead type, the more difficult case, which will make working with photopolymer plates seem much easier! Class maximum: 4
Contact us for more information. Please provide an alternate date if you can, as these small classes fill up quickly.
Send a check for the class and material fees, made out to "Brian Allen,":
Officina Briani
5024 Departure Dr., Unit E
Raleigh, NC 27616
USA
Terms and Conditions
Receipt of your class fee will be your reservation for a seat in the class. Payment is required to register. If you cancel less than 7 days before the class, and I am unable to replace you, your class fee is forfeit.
You might also look at classes by Laurie Doctor, who teaches lettering, drawing, painting and book structures.
Gallery Shibui offers bookbinding related classes in Raleigh.
wood type 
Photograph by Elizabeth Bradburn
Photograph at left by Bryan Rierson Photography / right hand photograph by Brian Allen
Photography by Brian Allen