The Complete Letterpress

We are currently taking expressions of interest for next year's Complete Book Artist 2024. Please email andy@hotbedpress.org to sign up for early alerts as soon as course bookings are open, so you don't miss out! Please note that the dates on the front of this listing are for guidance only. New dates for 2024 will be set in the coming weeks.

price £1300 / £*

date 27 Feb, 2024 - 24 Dec, 2024

times 10.30am - 4.30pm

duration 1 year

This year-long course in letterpress will give students a full and comprehensive grounding in letterpress printmaking, from setting and printing wood and metal type, including book arts projects and much more besides.

Run over 30 weeks across 12 months with a year's membership of Hot Bed Press thrown in sessions run on Tuesday mornings from 10.30am to 1.30pm plus a second course from 3.00pm - 6.00pm.

On top of the 3 hours taught sessions each week there are 4 hours a week as part of our open access to carry on your work from the lessons. Your hours can be accrued to be used during our open hours. All students will also be able to top-up their hours with workshop usage at any time during open access throughout the week at £3.00 per hour.

Students will be supported through development of a number of set projects over the year focussing on producing a comprehensive body of work.

Course tutor

David Armes

David is our letterpress specialist. He has been teaching for us on weekend courses for many years and more recently has taken over the running of The Complete Letterpress printer, yearlong course. I am an artist working with print, language and geography. My work is frequently site-specific and often considers how place and landscape shapes understanding.

how to join

In order to book please enquire about availablility for the desired course. Please send an email or give a ring stating the required course and date.

0161 743 3111

info@hotbedpress.org

Do I need to be experienced to come on a course?

No experience necessary! Some courses are specifically designed for beginners; such as Introduction to Screenprint, Print or Letterpress, Painterly Screen-printing or The Art of Etching. Other courses such as Mokuhanga, Screen-printing with Natural Dyes or Photopolymer Printing are more tailored to those with some previous experience. However, if in doubt phone us to discuss.

How do I book a place on a course?

The best way to book a place is to phone us on 0161 743 3111. We always try to answer the phones. Our courses book up so quickly that we can be answering the phone all day whilst e-mails may take more time to get through every enquiry and still need us to phone or e-mail you back.

Do you take a deposit to reserve a place?

No. We only confirm bookings on full receipt of payment. We have found in the past that when people book only paying a deposit, it takes twice the time to take bookings and can get complicated when people don't confirm by the full payment and others want to book a place.

What materials do I need to bring?

Nothing! We provide all materials for courses. All we need you to bring is some inspiration and clothes you don't mind getting ink on. (In Winter it is best to dress up warm too.) You will receive an introduction letter letting you know what to prepare, such as drawings, photos, photocopies, collected images, and what size you can expect to work to.

Is food provided?

If you are on a day or weekend course please bring your own food. In our small kitchen we have tea, coffee, milk, and sugar and an urn as well as a microwave. The Co-op and Sainsburys are both nearby and we have the luxury of a couple of cafes nearby now with fancy coffee.

Do you have disabled access?

We are limited in our access, with the workshop situated on the first floor and no lifts. We purchased the building in 2017 with the aim to expand and create a fully accessible facility. Unfortunately our ambitions have been set back by covid and other challenges. We are still trying to get full funding to develop the building further and be fully accessible.

Do you have any teacher training courses?

We have Wednesday evening specific CPD teacher training sessions situated under short courses or please email our education officer on education@hotbedpress.org for the details of our latest courses or to discuss bespoke courses.

We welcome new members all year round. Anyone can join. You need a little bit of experience; but that can be from doing one of our weekend or evening courses, after which you can carry on and practice what you've learnt on the course. We've got a few types of membership to suit your purse or your time. Just g to our Membership section for more details.

membership