Classes on poetry, printing, & typography in Seattle
Twice a year we offer an in-depth, in person class focused on poetry, printing, and typography at our printshop in south Seattle. The winter class is a six-week course that meets weekly and the summer class is an intensive weekend. We call our classes “Words First” because everything we do at Expedition Press is always in the service of damn fine words. All our work begins and ends with text.
These classes are for you if you love poetry and want to know how to go about printing it; if you love letterpress and want a chance to go deeper into typesetting and press mechanics; if you love design and want to hone your typography skills; if you love creative process and want to immerse yourself in a new medium. Hands-on and process-based, you may or may not come out with a finished piece. You will get your hands dirty and have what you need to explore further should you wish. No experience necessary, ages 16 and up welcome.
Words First Extended (six weeks in winter)
Limited to six participants, 2025’s winter cohort will meet weekly for six weeks: Jan 15 – Feb 19, 6-8:30pm, at our printshop in south Seattle. Course fee is $550, which includes 15 hrs of direct instruction, all materials, and follow up resources. Email myrna@expedition.press to sign up.
Class outline
- Session 1: Starting. Creative process (how to start), editorial ethics (selecting a text and getting permission), orientation to shop & tools, notebook binding, read poetry.
- Assignment: Morning Pages. Establishing the habit (from The Artist’s Way)
- Assignment: find some raw material! Bring a text to next class
- Session 2: Design. Constraints, thumbnail sketches, anatomy of type, type selection, editorial selection, ideation, iteration, typesetting, layout, paper considerations, format decisions, paper cutting.
- Assignment: settle on a text and complete at least 25 thumbnail sketches
- Session 3: Typesetting & proofing. Continue design work from week prior with ink out for proofing and building mockups.
- Session 4: Printing. Platen and cylinder press mechanics and operation, lockup, makeready process: pressure, registration, inking. Continue typesetting. Proofing. Half the students will have one-on-one press time with Myrna this week depending who's ready.
- Session 5: Printing. And/or, continue typesetting and proofing, distributing, etc. The other half of students will have one-on-one press time with Myrna this week.
- Assignment: bring a poem and snack to share for last class
- Session 6: Finishing. Culling, counting, archiving, sharing. Distribute type, clean up, print swap, package, read poetry, appreciate.
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot, with payment in full due by Jan 3, 2025. Flexible payment plan available, please inquire.
Words First Condensed (one weekend in summer)
Limited to six participants, 2025’s "condensed" cohort will meet late Aug or early Sept at our printshop in south Seattle. Exact dates TBD in spring. Course fee is $390, which includes 13 hrs of direct instruction, all materials, and follow up resources. Email myrna@expedition.press to sign up.
Class outline
- Friday 6-8pm: Orientation to shop & tools, text selection, permissions.
- Saturday 9am-8pm (with breaks!)
- 9am-12pm: Design constraints, thumbnail sketches, anatomy of type, type selection, typesetting.
- 12-1pm: break for lunch
- 1-4pm Proofing & printing. Continue design work from morning with ink out for proofing and building mockups. Continue typesetting. Lockup and press setup (impression, registration, inking). Start printing if ready.
- 4-6pm break for dinner
- 6-8pm: Printing! And/or continue design/typesetting/proofing.
- Sunday 10-1pm Finishing. Distribute type, clean up, print swap, packaging, appreciate.
It’s an ambitious syllabus but with discipline we can fit a lot in! Questions? Ready to sign up? Email myrna@expedition.press. A 50% deposit is required to reserve your spot, with payment in full due one month ahead of the start date. Flexible payment plan available, please inquire.
