Check back for hours and other details!
The Dick Kouwenhoven Book Arts Studio, part of the Library's Media and Maker Commons (MMC), is a centre for inspiration and hands-on learning through letterpress printing.
Learn about book-making, book history, and print culture as you set type by hand and print on 20th-century presses.
Demonstrations and class visits
We offer demonstrations and class visits in support of learning and research. Sessions can be interactive depending on the group's needs. Note that because of space and safety considerations we may need to limit group sizes.
Contact us at: lib-dkbookarts@sfu.ca.
Using the Book Arts Studio
To use the Book Arts Studio, you will have to complete training. During training, you will learn the essential practical experience and skills to operate a printing press, even if you have no prior experience with letterpress printers.
Step 1: Online training
Online training in Canvas training will cover:
- Orientation to the book arts studio
- Safety guidelines
- Basic operation principles
- Importance of studio cleanliness and organization.
Note that this online course is still in development -- check back for updates.
Step 2: Hands-on training
Hands-on training with Media and Maker Commons staff
Once you complete the online training, you will meet with MMC staff for hands-on training with your selected printing press in the Book Arts Studio.
Email us at lib-dkbookarts@sfu.ca to book your training.
Step 3: Booking a printing press
After you complete the training, you are ready to work with the printing presses!
What you need to know:
- Time slots are available from 1 - 7 hours
- All appointments end one hour before closing for cleanup
- When you arrive at the book arts studio, our staff will assist you in setting up, provide guidance if necessary, and ensure the press is ready for use.
To book a press, contact us at lib-dkbookarts.
How much time will I need? (And other questions)
The amount of time really depends! But count on booking at least two to three hours for a very basic project. For example, setting 4 lines of a poem (about 24 words) on a single page, with training, troubleshooting, setting, proofing and clean-up takes about 3 hours.
We are happy to help. Especially if you are new to letterpress printing, if you think you'll need help, or just have more questions, contact MMC staff at lib-dkbookarts@sfu.ca.
Safety requirements
When you come to the Book Arts Studio:
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Tie back long hair
- No hanging bracelets or hoodie ties, nothing dangling
Tools, equipment, and supplies
6 printing presses
- 1 Vandercook SP15 flatbed cylinder press
- 1 Challenge cylinder flat-bed proofing press
- 1 Craftsmen table top platen press with a 6.5"x10" chase
- 1 tiny tabletop Adana clamshell press, printing area 8"x5" (2000)
- 2 Nolan tabletop sign presses
Except for the Adana clamshell press, all our presses were manufactured in the 1940-50s.
Available type
- About 25 large drawers of wood type
- About 80 drawers of metal type
Paper
We provide bond paper in two sizes: 8.5x11 and 11x17.
If you wish to print on any other paper, you will need to bring your own. The paper cannot be very thick or lumpy or have inclusions.
Ink and inking
We use only water-based oil printing ink. The press has brayers or rollers to ink up the type along with an inking glass slab to roll out ink.
Other tools
- 1 antique tabletop nipping book press
- 1 guillotine paper cutter
Contact
Contact us at lib-dkbookarts@sfu.ca.
About the Dick Kouwenhoven Book Arts Studio and letterpress printing
The Dick Kouwenhoven Book Arts Studio at the W.A.C. Bennett Library launched in Summer 2024.
This space was made possible thanks to a gift to SFU Library from the estate of Dick Kouwenhoven, founder of the internationally renowned, Burnaby-based commercial printer, Hemlock Printers Ltd.
Watch an introduction to letterpress printing
Letterpress printing is form of relief printing that uses individual type made up of letters, spacers, and images traditionally made out of metal or wood.
The printer sets the type by hand, locks it up on the press bed, inks it up by hand, and prints onto paper one sheet at a time. Then the printer finishes the job by cleaning and re-distributing the type in its type drawer for the next use.
This is how most text was printed commercially until the 1960s when offset printing replaced letterpress printing.