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Spend two hours learning traditional typesetting and hand-printing in a fully accessible museum studio in Dublin. This hands-on workshop includes materials and expert instruction—create and take home a handmade poster while learning techniques tied to the city’s print history.
Spend two hours learning traditional typesetting and hand-printing in a fully accessible museum studio in Dublin. This hands-on workshop includes materials and expert instruction—create and take home a handmade poster while learning techniques tied to the city’s print history.
Book with National Print Museum
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Operated by National Print Museum · Dublin, County Dublin
Experimental Letterpress Workshop is a focused, two-hour hands-on session held in a fully accessible museum space in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. In a compact studio among cabinets of vintage wood type and trays of metal sorts, participants learn the fundamentals of typesetting, inking and impression printing under the guidance of an experienced letterpress and graphic artist. The class uses the museum’s historical collection so every step connects to real tools and techniques from print history, and you walk away with a poster you designed and printed yourself. The workshop rhythm moves from layout and type selection to composing type in a composing stick, locking forms into a press, rolling ink onto a bed and making the first impression on paper. Those tactile details—the weight of a wooden sort, the exact pressure that gives a crisp bite into paper, the smell of oil-based ink—help demystify analogue printing. All materials are included and the session fee is €30 per person, which covers paper, inks and use of heritage equipment. Sessions run about two hours and are geared toward adults; the listing notes Ages 18+. This is a practical introduction rather than an advanced masterclass. The facilitator teaches safe press operation, registration techniques and basic layout so people with no experience can complete a printable design. The ground-floor location is wheelchair accessible with entry via the Café, and the venue welcomes guide and service dogs. After the session you can explore the museum’s permanent exhibition and shop to see how letterpress fits into Dublin’s wider print and publishing history. Why this workshop stands out for visitors is twofold: it offers immediate creative payoff and it anchors that creative act in local cultural context. Dublin’s long association with printing and publishing means the objects you work with are not props but artifacts connected to storytelling in Ireland. For designers, makers and curious travelers, the class converts technical history into a compact, memorable craft experience. Practical notes: wear clothes you don’t mind getting ink on, arrive 10 minutes early, and expect small group sizes that make advance booking advisable. The program is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport’s After Hours at the Museum Scheme, so check the booking link for schedule updates. Whether you want a tactile, handmade souvenir or a short creative detour from city touring, this experimental letterpress workshop delivers clear, hands-on instruction and a handmade memento. Bring a small sketch or idea to speed design time, and consider combining the session with a visit to local bookshops and galleries nearby to extend the printing conversation into Dublin’s contemporary creative scene. Repeat bookings make excellent gifts for friends who enjoy craft and design. Reserve early to secure your preferred date.
This workshop is listed for Ages 18+.
Yes — all materials including paper, inks and use of the equipment are included in the €30 fee.
The workshop is on the ground floor and is fully wheelchair accessible with entry via the Café; guide and service dogs are welcome.
No prior experience is required; the facilitator teaches basics of typesetting, inking and press operation.
Sessions run about two hours and include hands-on time composing type, inking and printing a poster you take home.
Cancellation and rescheduling details are available on the booking page; check the referral link for current policy and availability.
The National Print Museum in Dublin preserves and presents the history and craft of printing for visitors of all ages. Located in Dublin, County Dublin, the museum offers guided tours, family activities, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations that showcase historic printing equipment and contemporary graphic design. Exhibits include working machines and archival material that illustrate the development of movable type and mechanical printing from Gutenberg-era influences to modern letterpress practice. Visitors can join structured experiences such as a Family-Friendly Tour that lets children create printed posters and printer’s hats, a Guided Historical Tour that features an original 1916 Proclamation and printing demonstrations, and specialised workshops like letterpress Christmas card sessions for beginners. Monthly live demonstrations are conducted by retired printers who operate machines such as the Linotype and Wharfdale press, making complex processes accessible and engaging. The museum also hosts illustrated talks and design-focused events, connecting historical printing techniques with Irish graphic design movements. On-site café service offers homemade food and refreshments for a comfortable visit. Educational programmes accommodate school groups and families, while workshops welcome adults seeking practical print skills. As a dedicated cultural institution, the National Print Museum prioritises conservation, interpretation, and public engagement. Information is provided by experienced staff and volunteers, and activities are designed to be informative, hands-on, and safe. The museum’s combination of original artefacts, working machinery, and instructional experiences makes it a reliable destination for anyone interested in the history and practice of printing. Visit to explore prints, learn skills, and appreciate craftsmanship today.
Book with National Print Museum
