Introduction to Letterpress Printing

Instructor: Patrick Barrett

Date: Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Ages: 18+

Members: $108

Non-Members: $120

Registration deadline:  September 29

Description:

This hands-on workshop introduces the basics of traditional letterpress printing. Participants will learn to set type by hand, prepare a press for printing, and explore the fundamentals of inking and impression. By the end of the class, each student will have gained practical experience with the process and will take home a small set of hand-printed cards or similar projects. No prior experience is required.

Materials:

All materials will be provided

Instructor Bio:

Letterpress printing runs in Patrick Barrett’s family. In 1901, his great-grandfather, Howard Deming, opened The Sterling Press in Winsted, Connecticut, printing announcements, invitations, and business cards on the manual presses of the day. More than a century later, Patrick took some of those very presses and type and founded Lucky Duck Press in Brooklyn, NY. Lucky Duck Press returned to Winsted in 2011, operating in the same building that housed the Sterling Press. Working with historic presses and type alongside modern plates, Patrick continues the family’s printing tradition—bringing words and images to life through the timeless craft of letterpress.

Instructor's website: https://luckyduckletterpress.com

All workshops are held at the Five Points Arts Center, 855 University Drive

Workshops may be cancelled due to low enrollment if a minimum number of participants are not met. Registrants will be notified in advance and a refund or credit will be arranged (see workshop polices below for details).

Workshop Policies: Please review the terms of our workshop policies here