Join Pinney Library Studio's Artist-in-Residence Phil Hassett, owner of Washboard Press, to learn the basic skills necessary to set a favorite quote, motto, or other short text in metal type. Text should be no longer than two or three sentences. You will have the opportunity to choose a typeface for your quote, make choices about how you want to present it on the page, and then hand set type ranging from 12pt to 36pt depending on the typeface chosen. You will learn about printer’s measurements, spacing, justification, and adding decorative elements or borders if time permits. Each participant will have the opportunity to print several copies of their quote, choosing from a selection of paper stocks & ink colors.
Registered participants are optionally invited to email the instructor at workshops@washboardpress.com with their text ahead of time to make sure it’s an appropriate length for the time we have, along with any general hopes for typeface styles (Serif/oldstyle, sans-serif, slab serif, blackletter, or decorative/ornamental typefaces) to ensure the availability of a good selection of typefaces and spacing material appropriate to their texts.
Please note: This workshop involves handling typemetal, which is an alloy of lead and other metals. We will discuss the safe handling of metal type and best practices to reduce lead exposure.
Space is limited and registration is required, opens for both dates on 8/1 at 9 am. Both Typesetting Quotes workshops (8/8 & 8/14) are the same content and are in high demand; select one session date to register for.
This 2 hour workshop is for adults and older teens at least 14+. When registration is full, reach out to Pinney Library via phone (608-224-7100) or email pinney@madisonpubliclibrary.org to inquire about joining a waitlist.
About the Artist: Phil Hassett is a local letterpress printer living in Madison, WI, where he maintains a small collection of historic printing presses and a growing collection of historic and modern printing type. A lifelong musician, he named his print studio Washboard Press(link is external) because of the sound one of his presses makes, and because he enjoys doing by hand what is now usually done in a more automated way.