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Common Press

Common Press is University of Pennsylvania’s typography studio that supports research and practice in letterpress printing and book arts for students, faculty, staff and the larger community.

We offer educational support, studio access for independent projects, and curricular collaboration. Our programs include open studio hours, class visits, collaborative projects, visiting artists and community outreach.

Schedule a class, tour or workshop
Close up of a letterpress printer.

How to Use the Press

Introduction to Letterpress Workshop

This introductory workshop is a prerequisite for printing on the Vandercook on independent projects. 

Sign up for an upcoming workshop

Boxes of letterpress types

Reserve Time in the Studio

After completing the Intro to Letterpress workshop, members of the Penn community including students, faculty and staff can use the Common Press studio during open hours if no other private workshops are scheduled. 

Reserve Open Studio time

Photograph of an assortment of tools on a table, including paint, color cards, cutting board, and sketches

Schedule a class, workshop or tour

We offer curricular support to Penn classes, as well as interactive tours, immersive private workshops and more. Inquire about a Common Press experience for your cohort, class or staff.

Submit an inquiry form

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Hours

Monday: 10 am - 7 pm

Tuesday: 10 am - 7 pm

Wednesday: 10 am - 7 pm

Thursday: 10 am - 5 pm

Friday: 10 am - 5 pm

Address

Common Press | 215-746-3001
Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level 
220 South 34th Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Workshops & Events

View all Penn Libraries events
Apr 22
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Earth Day/Greeting Card Printing: An Open Studio Event

Stop by the Common Press anytime between 2 and 6 pm to print your own set of greeting cards with themes that may include Earth Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and general greetings or appreciation. We will have designs ready to print on all our printing presses for you to choose from. No prior experience required!

  • April 22, 2024
  • 2:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
Image of 2021-01-22-provisional-press.jpg
May 01
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Bookbinding Workshop: Sewn Board Binding

Come and bind your own book at Common Press! In this 3-hour workshop, you will learn the Sewn Board Binding, designed by Gary Frost. All supplies are provided freely. No prior bookbinding experience is necessary. 

  • May 1, 2024
  • 5:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
Image of handcraft tools on a table; including scissors, cutting board, threads, and a hand-made book binding
May 03
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Letterpress-printed Business Cards Workshop

For people who have taken the Intro to Letterpress Workshop in the past 2 years, this class invites you to dive further into your letterpress practice. Come design and print your own business or calling cards with text of your choice! 

  • May 3, 2024
  • 2:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
Image of letterpress printed cards
May 09
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Relaxing Bookbinding: The Pamphlet

Stop by and make an easy-to-bind, colorful, single section pamphlet book with the Common Press.

  • May 9, 2024
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
Photograph of small pamphlet books printed at the Common Press
May 17
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Letterpress-printed Business Cards Workshop

For people who have taken the Intro to Letterpress Workshop in the past 2 years, this class invites you to dive further into your letterpress practice. Come design and print your own business or calling cards with text of your choice! 

  • May 17, 2024
  • 2:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
Image of letterpress printed cards
May 28
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Artist Book Show and Tell at the Common Press

Bring your favorite artist book or special edition to show and tell in this re-occurring event happening during lunchtime on the last Tuesday of every month. If you are feeling shy about sharing, just come and see what staff from the Common Press brings!

  • May 28, 2024
  • 12:30pm - 1:30pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
Photograph of a glass exhibition case of handcrafted books
May 30
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Introduction to Letterpress Workshop (Press Training)

Learn the fundamentals of setting type and letterpress printing on our Vandercook cylinder presses. We will also discuss alternatives to setting type for printing on the press (photopolymer plates, linoleum, pressure printing).  

  • May 30, 2024
  • 2:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library (Lower Level)
A box of letterpress stamps.

Resources

Where Can I Find Common Press Prints? 

Kislak Center for Special Collections maintains an archive of the Press's work. Kelly Writers House has images of work produced under their Robinson Press imprint on their website.

Where can I get photopolymer plates made?

We order ours from Boxcar Press. They provide detailed information on file preparation and ordering, as well as fast turnaround.

Can I work at the Press? 

Common Press employs several student workers through the year. Search student positions in WorkDay for openings.
 

  • Vandercook No. 4 (1955)
  • Vandercook SP-15 (1963)
  • Hoe Washington Hand Press (ca. 1847)
  • Chandler and Price New Series 8 x 12 Platen Press
  • Golding Pearl New Improved #8 5 x 8 Platen Press
  • Kelsey Excelsior 5 x 8 Tabletop Platen Press
  • Signmaker Proof Press
  • 2 Provisional Presses (available to loan)
  • Library of wood and metal type, along with historical image blocks
  • 2 sets of P22 Blox
  • Bases for photopolymer plate & pressure prints
  • Pearl Guillotine Cutter, 14” Blade
  • Dahle Rotary Paper Cutter
  • Corner Rounder
  • Button Maker (1.25")
  • Library of paper samples

The Common Press currently offers two toolkits for checkout and use by UPenn cardholders (faculty, staff and students). You may use the toolkits for up to 3 months. Stop by the Common Press during open hours to check out a toolkit.  

You will be charged for the materials in the kits if the kits are not returned.

Book Binding Tool Kit: Awl, olfa knife, small metal ruler, small cutting mat, bone folder, binding needle, hole punching cradle, glue stick, binding thread, scissors, resource booklet.

Linoleum Block Carving Kit: Lino carving tool, carbon paper, vellum, small lino block, brayer, small tube of ink, paper, resource & instruction booklet. 

Studio users are asked to sign the following safety agreement:

Common Press Studio Use Agreement

I understand that operating Common Press machinery comes with a risk of bodily injury, therefore I agree to:

  • ask for assistance from the Studio Manager or Studio Coordinator when I am unsure about something.
  • tie back long hair and remove loose, dangling, or flowing clothing and jewelry.
  • exercise caution when moving type cases or other heavy objects and ask for assistance when needed so as to avoid injury.
  • use proper safety precautions when handling type, ink, and cleaning materials:  
    • wear gloves to protect skin from inks and cleaning materials.
    • wash hands thoroughly after handling type, ink or clean up materials
    • read the available Material Safety Sheets if more information is needed.
  • use the studio only while sober.

I understand that I am using antique equipment and type and will do so with respect. Therefore, I agree to:

  • get approval from the Studio Manager or Coordinator to use any experimental printmaking methods, outside papers, printing plates, inks or cleaning products.
  • operate with mindfulness.

I understand that, in accordance with Fisher Fine Arts Library policy, no food is allowed in the Common Press studio. Beverages in cover containers are allowed but should not be handled with hands dirty from type, inks, or clean up.

I understand that failure to work within the terms of this agreement will result in loss of studio access. 

 

Contact

About the Common Press

The Common Press is the letterpress studio at the University of Pennsylvania. The press is a collaboration of interests, including writing (Kelly Writers House), print culture and history (the Rare Book & Manuscript Library) and visual arts and design (the Fine Arts program in the School of Design). The facility provides an environment where students can move between digital and manual image making, collaborating with writers, printmakers, designers, scholars and others with an interest in printing. The Common Press exists to assist in teaching design and to facilitate collaborative projects across the university. It was founded on January 17, 2006, the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth.