DIY Printing Press

A functional letterpress built from plywood.

DIY Printing Press Workshop

Explore the art of relief printing by creating your own printing blocks and pressing custom designs onto paper. This hands-on workshop connects traditional craft techniques with creative expression.

What You'll Learn

• Carving techniques for creating printing blocks from wood or linoleum
• Principles of relief printing and mirror-image design
• Ink application and paper pressing methods
• Creating repeatable prints and patterns

Workshop Details

Participants will design and carve their own printing blocks, then use them to create prints on paper. We'll cover both simple stamp-style blocks and more intricate designs. You'll leave with your own carved block and a set of prints you've made.

This workshop is suitable for all ages and skill levels—from simple shapes for beginners to detailed carvings for those seeking a challenge.

Resources

This workshop draws inspiration from the excellent Instructables guide Build a Letterpress & Use It to Print Things, which demonstrates how to build a functional letterpress from plywood and use photopolymer plates for printing.

Image credit: Build a Letterpress & Use It to Print Things on Instructables