Community Resources and Recommended Reads

The Letterpress Printing Community

Letterpress printing is a dirty, messy, and time-consuming challenge that will frustrate you with its tediousness and weight. However, the reward is more wonderful than you could imagine. The Letterpress community offers an abundance of ways in which you can meet other makers, learn more about the process, and see what other folks are doing with their ink and paper.

Guilds, Clubs, and Community Teaching Facilities

The Amalgamated Printers Association was founded in 1958, by hobby and professional printers. It includes printers who practice letterpress printing as a hobby, a profession, or an art-making process. The membership is limited to 150 members who are required to print four pieces of work per year. These pieces are distributed to other members of the Association in monthly mailings. The organization maintains an archive of these printed pieces.

Each year, at least one member volunteers to host the annual meeting and conference, titled APA Wayzgoose. The events and activities showcase both the host city’s print-related gems, as well as the local members of the letterpress community.

In addition to the APA, which has members from around the world, there are regional guilds or clubs. They are often affiliated with a museum or historical site that includes a print shop as a working exhibit. Colonial Williamsburg, History San Jose, historical societies, and design schools or craft-related community centers can also be great resources.