San Francisco Center for the Book

Good printing comes by knowing what a press can do. In this workshop you will examine every aspect of the press with an eye toward maintaining all of its parts as well as adjusting those parts for optimal printing.

Not only will you learn how to maintain the press and trouble shoot problems, you will also learn how to fix the press. Knowledge of press maintenance will not only keep the press in good working order, it will make you a better printer.  

Students will learn how to evaluate the condition of any hand-fed cylinder proof press quickly and concisely; they will learn how to adjust rollers and impression, control inking and fix simple problems. They will learn how to maintain the press through lubrication and adjustment.

This is a perfect companion course for students enrolled in SFCB's Cylinder Core Certificate program; appropriate for students who have completed any of the Cylinder Core workshops.

Prerequisite:
None

Materials to bring:
All tools and materials will be provided.

About the Instructor:
Alan Hillesheim (he/him) has been wrenching around printing presses for 35 years. Printing presses need to be moved, oiled, inked, cleaned, and maintained, in short they need attention like a six year old. Maintenance is a dirty business, but a necessary one for beautifully printed anything. Alan has a passion for the mechanics of the print studio and enjoys encouraging others to roll up their sleeves and grab a wrench. His 35 years in the letterpress business and “all-ten-fingers” count speak for themselves. Join him and wear old clothes.

Oh, and once the press is in fine order, Alan has a few secrets to divulge about perfect inking and stellar printing.