Fresh Ink from PiP ⚡️ July 2022

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JULY 2022

Dear friends of PiP,

If you’re a recent Fresh Ink subscriber, you may not realize that most of PiP’s innovative programming stems from losing our community studio space during the pandemic. Without a central location to host classes and events, we have become experts at bringing letterpress printing to people wherever they are, whether online or onsite.

Now you understand why we’re so thrilled about having so many opportunities to share our printing presses and type with the masses these days. Read about what we’ve learned in the process, and where to find us IRL in this month’s issue.

Inky elbow taps,

Laura, Annabelle, Sukhie, Amy & Jenny
Partners in Print Leadership Team

It’s not about how we print; it’s why

We don’t have to tell you that letterpress printing is a powerful way to change minds and tell stories. But, how do we communicate this to the non-initiated? We’ve been offering print-your-own poster events for years, but only recently unlocked a secret that takes an event from simply inky to moving and meaningful.

The secret is to use this simple prompt: “What do you want to say to your community?” People love receiving this prompt, and we love witnessing the pride they feel when their messages are displayed for all to see.

Amos P. Kennedy, Jr. & Bonnie Thompson Norman were among the many volunteers who helped Partners in Print at DogEar Festival (Bainbridge Island Museum of Art • June 4, 2022).

Amos Kennedy & Bonnie Thompson Norman were among the many volunteers who helped us at DogEar Festival.

As a bonus, we’re now pretty efficient at taking letterpress on the road. At the University Child Development School in Seattle, PiP created a pop-up letterpress studio complete with wood type and two cast iron presses. More than 100 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders printed with us in a single day!

Then we streamlined the experience considerably for a Bureau of Fearless Ideas fundraiser. Attendees were able to print a poster on a cast iron press with a glass of wine in one hand and an ink brayer in the other.

A triptych of 3 images: (Left) An elementary student letterpress prints the word "JUSTICE" using wood type on a Vandercook Press; (Center) A letterpress print with a giant ampersand, with "WORDS & ACTIONS" letterpress printed from wood type; (3) A guest at the Partners in Print booth at DogEar Festival 2022 prints their poster using a lightweight wood Provisional Press.

Snapshots from PiP's spring in-person events, courtesy of UCDS & PiP.

At the DogEar Festival at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art last month, we unveiled a brand new fleet of lightweight wooden Provisional Presses. Did people mind that they weren't printing on vintage presses? Heck no! Because when it comes to sharing our love of letterpress, it’s not about how we print; it’s why.

Does all this have you itching to get inky with us? If you’re in the Pacific Northwest this summer, please come to one of our free in-person events!

MORE REASONS WHY WE PRINT

Power of the Poster

PiP's bringing poster making to the people at the Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair — an art, craft, and design extravaganza for all ages. On July 29, take in BAM’s poster show, contemplate the poster’s role in society, then stop by PiP’s letterpress station at the Kids Fair to print a poster of your own!

A color rainbow of ink and ink brayers at a Partners in Print letterpress poster printing event.

BAM Kids Fair
July 29, 2022

Kids of all ages are invited to lift their voice with the help of wood type, paper, and ink.

Free! Learn more ›

Long-Distance Letterpress

Keeping it accessible for letterpress lovers of all levels.

MICHAEL HEPHER

Just My Type

Got something to say? Say it loud and clear with engaging typography.

Saturday, July 9 ›

STEVE GARST

Provisional Press Building

Build your own* portable, affordable starter press with the creator of the Provisional Press!

Friday, July 15 ›

*US Residents: order a discounted press kit for class by July 5

RYAN MOLLOY

DIY Wood Type

The solution to your little wood type eBay problem.

Saturday, August 6 ›

MORE LETTERPRESS CLASSES

Upcoming Community Events

Summer is bursting with free upcoming opportunities to learn, share, and grow your print community.

A bookshelf containing books about letterpress printing, typography and bookmaking.

SHOP TALK

Summer Reading

We all love books. Which ones inspire your work? Moderated by Jessica Spring.

Saturday, July 23 ›

Sukhie Patel, from Partners in Print, standing in front of type cabinets.

IN-PERSON EVENT

Art After Work

Join PiP’s own Sukhie Patel for a community-focused gallery tour of L’Affichomania: The Passion for French Posters at the Bellevue Art Museum.

Thursday, July 14 ›

IN-PERSON EVENT

South Lake Union Block Party

After a pandemic pause, PiP is bringing our presses, paper, and ink to SLU once again—what message will you share?

Friday, August 5 ›

MORE LETTERPRESS EVENTS

The Partners in Print leadership team at a letterpress poster printing event for the Bureau of Fearless Ideas. (Left to right: Laura Bentley, Sukhie Patel, Amy Redmond, Jenny Wilkson, Annabelle Larner. (Photo: Kristin Leong at the Museum of History and Industry, Seattle.)

IN THE STORE

Go on, get inky

When artists get together, it can be hard to keep it clean. PiP’s adjustable apron makes sure everyone’s covered.

Grab an apron ›

COMING NEXT MONTH
PiP at South Lake Union Block Party, AIGA Design Conference, & more Long-Distance Letterpress!

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Partners in Print brings people together by using old printing presses to amplify new voices, share knowledge, and spark creativity. Our programming is made possible by your financial support. Thank you!