Known as “cinderella stamps” and designed to resemble official postage, artist stamps present an excellent challenge for typographic composition in miniature.
We’ll utilize pre-perforated gummed paper, then tackle composing type and ornaments to print a small edition of fauxstage. SFCB’s vast collection of typographic treasures will serve as inspiration and bounty as we work, plus we’ll learn some tips using the shop’s perforator. Students will exchange their prints and leave with a portfolio of stamps.
While some typesetting and printing experience is helpful, beginners are welcome to attend.
Materials to Bring
None. All tools and materials will be provided.
About the Instructor
Jessica Spring (she/her) began her interest in typesetting and printing as a phototypesetter in the 1980s. Her introduction to letterpress printing paralleled the birth of desktop publishing: an exciting time to explore graphic arts. She has been a letterpress printer ever since, researching historic type composition and inventing Daredevil Furniture to help other printers set type in circles, curves and angles.
Her work at Springtide Press—artist books, broadsides and ephemera where typography plays a central role—is included in collections around the country and abroad. Collaborations are an important part of her work, either printing for other artists or teaching traditional letterpress printing, typography and book arts. She collaborated on the Dead Feminists series, and co-authored Dead Feminists: Historic Heroines in Living Color. Spring has an MFA from Columbia College Chicago and teaches workshops virtually and in person around the country.
Past Student Reviews
“Loved Jessica, she was so knowledgeable and a riot.”
“Jessica's demos and explanations were concise and clear, and she was always ready to help solve problems with the technical aspects of lockup. She had a very positive attitude and was also very inspiring.”
Location
San Francisco Center for the Book
375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration Policies
Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close approximately three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. We recommend you not wait to register, as workshops that don't meet our minimum enrollment will be canceled, sometimes as much as a week in advance.
Workshop fee
(includes materials fee):
$360
Prerequisite:
While some typesetting and printing experience is helpful, beginners are welcome to attend.
Class sessions:
Saturday & Sunday, August 9 & 10, 2025
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
If this workshop is full, please click this link to add your name to the waitlist. If a seat becomes available, we will contact you.