Friday 29th August
12.30-15.00

Calling the next generation of printers! Printer’s devils were children who worked in the printing house. This is your chance to become one of them in a fun and engaging workshop with our Director, Professor Helen Smith.

You will find out how a printing house works, and get to grips with wood and metal type. By the end of our session, you will have set a line of metal type, printed a keepsake name badge and fun souvenir, and learned the basics of letterpress printing.

This workshop is for children aged 8+. We ask that children bring a drink and snack for a short break.

Sunday 31st August
10:30-12:30

Get to grips with the basics of letterpress printing in this introductory workshop. In this two-hour session, you will get the chance to set a line of metal type, see what it means to lock up a forme, and try your hand printing with a tabletop Adana press. All materials will be supplied, and you will go home with copies of your own hand-printed postcard.

The workshop will be taught by Phil Treble of Muttons & Nuts.

No previous experience is necessary and all equipment and materials will be provided. Please arrive five minutes before the scheduled start time.

Wednesday evenings 18:00-20:30 from 10 September to 15 October 2025.

If you’re looking for an in-depth introduction to letterpress printing, this course is for you. Each week, you’ll work through exercises designed to give you a thorough grounding in fundamental printing skills, a working knowledge of different presses, and an understanding of their strengths and limitations. This course will give you the necessary skills to initiate your own projects, and the confidence to troubleshoot problems when they arise.

The course is suitable for beginners and those with some experience who are looking to take their skills to the next level. It will leave you well equipped to pursue your own projects independently or as a member at Thin Ice Press, following the conclusion of the course. You will take away a portfolio of prints -- a great souvenir of the course, and a handy guide for future printing! The course is taught at Thin Ice Press: the York Centre for Print, an exceptionally well-equipped printing and printmaking studio in the heart of York.