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Fisher restoration
: Fisher Fine Arts Library is open and operating normally during ongoing exterior work.
Find more details about this important restoration project
Events and workshops
Make an appointment to use the Common Press studio
Schedule class visits, group workshops, tours or demonstrations
Sign up for our events newsletter
Browse our libguide
How to Use the Press
Common Press provides curricular support sessions and workshops to the entire Penn academic community across a wide range of disciplines. We also offer open houses, guided workshops, and tours to student groups and staff teams. Because letterpress printing forms the foundation of universal literacy, academic writing, computer interfaces, and modern graphic design, everyone can benefit from hands-on engagement with letterpress printing. Basic bookbinding demonstrations and workshops are also available.
Curricular sessions are free of charge. Other workshops and guided experiences may have small, sliding scale material fees.
Capacity: Minimum of 2, maximum of 15 participants per session. Larger classes can be split into two groups, and we will help design an appropriate schedule.
To schedule a session,
submit a request
Common Press offers
weekly workshops in printing, bookbinding, and typography
We also host
monthly open houses
, during which everyone is welcome to stop by and letterpress-print a commemorative print based around a curated theme. Visitors generally spend 5 to 15 minutes at the press — join us whenever is convenient for you within the scheduled times.
These opportunities are free of charge and open to all.
Please see the
events calendar
to register and read the
access guidelines.
All PennCard holders are welcome to use the Common Press to print curricular and/or personal projects.
To be approved for Independent Studio Use, individuals must complete
one workshop
and
one Studio Use Training
within a 12-month period. This requirement began in January 2026.
One Workshop:
Any group workshop at Common Press, as part of a class or other group, or a Common Press-sponsored workshop like
Print Your Own Postcard
. Printing during an Open House does not fill this requirement.
Studio Use Training:
A one hour overview of studio usage and safety.
After completing this requirement, you may reserve time at Common Press through an online calendar.
Everyone is welcome to take Common Press workshops, however, Independent Studio Use is only available to active PennCard holders. If you want to print your own projects and don’t have an active PennCard, we recommend
Soapbox
, a wonderful local center for print with very affordable options for letterpress printing, risograph, screenprinting, and more.
Check out toolkits to research printing and bookbinding outside of the studio!
Book Binding Kit
: Awl, olfa knife, small metal ruler, small cutting mat, bone folder, binding needle, hole punching cradle, glue stick, binding thread, scissors, resource booklet.
Linoleum Block Carving Kit
: Lino carving tool, carbon paper, vellum, small lino block, brayer, small tube of ink, paper, resource & instruction booklet. ]
Wood engraving toolkit
Papermaking toolkit
Typewriter
Buttonmaker
Check out here
As part of the Penn Libraries'
America 250 programming
, join the Common Press for a year-long program exploring the papermaking and printing techniques that created the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Through monthly letterpress printing sessions, typesetting workshops, a city-wide rag collection and papermaking project, and a series of public lectures, workshops, and tours, the program highlights the production processes behind this Philadelphia-made foundational document.
These events are open to everyone.
Find out more
Hours
By appointment only.
Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday 12 to 5 p.m.
Or visit during one of our many
workshops and open houses.
Location
Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Floorplan
Campus Map
Workshops & Events
Lecture
April 28, 2026
Printing in 1776: Making, Using and Restoring Ink Balls
Typography of Independence: Join us for an event celebrating Common Press's acquisition of a set of ink balls with special guest Sara Karpinski.
12:00pm -
2:00pm
Common Press Space, Fisher Fine Arts Library
Open to the Public
April 29, 2026
Open Studio Session: Workers, Apprentices, and Unions in the Revolutionary Era
Join us for a drop-in Open Studio at Common Press to print a broadside reflecting on important aspects of labor history during the early days of the United States of America.
2:00pm -
4:00pm
Common Press Space, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to the Public
Workshop
May 1, 2026
Papermaking on Weitzman Plaza
Common Press will be demonstrating hand papermaking, pulling sheets of paper from our vat of cotton and linen fibers. The paper pulp was made from fabric collected from our fall 2025 community-wide rag collection, and beaten during our spring 2026 residency at Historic Rittenhouse Town. We invite you to come understand the ancient craft of papermaking, and to make a sheet or two of paper for yourself!
1:00pm -
3:00pm
Weitzman Plaza
Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff
The Typography of Independence
As part of the Penn Libraries'
America 250 programming
, join the Common Press for a series of monthly public events exploring the typesetting, printing, and paper-making involved in the production of the Declaration of Independence.
Equipment
Materials
Bookmaking
User Agreement
More details on our LibGuide.
Printing Presses
Vandercook No. 4 (1955)
Vandercook SP-15 (1963)
Washington Hoe Hand Press (ca. 1860s)
Chandler and Price New Series 8 x 12 Platen Press
Kelsey Excelsior 5 x 8 Tabletop Platen Press (1928)
Signmaker Proof Press
1 Provisional Press
Movable Type, etc.
~300 fonts metal and wood type
collection of historical copper and zinc cuts and image blocks
2 sets of P22 Blox
Daredevil furniture
Multiple bases for photopolymer plates
Paper Cutters
Challenge 20 Model
Kutrimmer
Most materials are provided free of charge to participants in workshops and curricular sessions. Independent users are provided with 20 12 x 19 inch sheets of paper per academic year, and then asked to provide their own paper. Book cloth, board and other binding materials are not available to independent users. Please ask for a list of recommended suppliers.
Paper
We stock:
Multiple colors of
French Paper
in 100# C, size 12.5 x 19 inches.
Flurry Paper
in text weight and 1 ply.
Ink
We use a range of letterpress inks from certified suppliers, in all the base colors, plus neon, gold and silver. Use our
Pantone Formula Guide
to mix any of the hundreds of Pantone colors.
Custom printing plates
Make your own printing plates!
Photopolymer plates (plastic): Boxcar Press
, order KF94 material
Magnesium plates (metal, mounted on wood)
Many users have experimented printing plates made via 3D printer, laser etching and routers.
Workshops:
We offer workshops in basic and specialty bookbinding, free and open to all.
Support for bookbinding projects:
We offer support for single section bindings, accordion and stab bindings, and guidance for digital printing. We do not offer support for case binding or other multi-section bindings, but can guide you to local practitioners and teachers. Schedule an appointment for more information.
Digital layout and imposition:
Vitale Digital Media
Lab offers free assistance with InDesign and digital layout to PennCard holders.
Check out our
LibGuide
for more resources.
Common Press Studio User Agreement
To maintain a safe and productive environment for users, staff, and our antique equipment, all studio users must agree to the following:
Respectful and Proper Use of Equipment
Demonstrate a commitment to using all equipment and materials respectfully and correctly. Studio equipment can pose a risk of bodily injury if not used properly. Please ask staff for assistance whenever you are unsure about a process. Approval from staff is required before attempting experimental printmaking methods or using non-standard papers, printing plates, inks, or cleaning products.
Safety Practices
Take appropriate safety precautions at all times. This includes tying back long hair and removing loose, dangling, or flowing clothing and jewelry. Hands must be washed thoroughly after handling type. Material Safety Data Sheets are available to learn the potential toxicity of studio materials. Use of the studio is permitted only while sober and clear-headed.
Inclusivity
Demonstrate respect for diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, and socioeconomic background. Assume the positive intent of other users.
Conduct and Accountability
The studio is a place to work and learn; users who are not actively engaged in one or both of these actions may be asked to leave. Interpersonal conflicts must be addressed outside of the studio space so as not to disrupt other users. If you wish to discuss a conflict or incident, please contact Jessica Peterson, Director of Common Press, or Mia D’Avanza, Director of the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
Studio Access
Access to Common Press is a privilege contingent upon professional and respectful conduct. Disrespectful behavior toward staff, fellow users, or studio equipment may result in suspension of studio access.
Remember that we are all learning. - adrienne maree brown
We are located in the basement of the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Once inside the library building, go through the main doors of the central reading room of the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Go through security and scan your PennCard or photo ID (
see access guidelines
). Then, turn right at the end of the circulation desk and go forward through the door in front of you leading to the stacks. On your right, you will see a door leading to a stairwell. Go down the stairs to the basement. Turn right at the bottom of the stairs. You will see signs for the Common Press. Ask a librarian if you have difficulty! Please contact
(215) 746-3001
for ADA access to Common Press.
Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Floorplan
Campus Map
Kislak Center for Special Collections
maintains an archive of the Press's work which you can request to see in person.
We do not to have the capacity to support last minute projects (any project due within 3 days). If you are interested in letterpress printing or bookbinding, please start accessing the numerous resources we provide as early in the semester as you can.
We only have letterpress printing and woodblock printing. We do not offer risograph printing or screenprinting. We recommend visiting
Soapbox
to learn and practice these methods.
Common Press employs several student workers throughout the year. Please email
jesspe@upenn.edu
if you are interested.
The Typography of Independence
Starting in August 2025, Common Press will host The Typography of Independence, a year-long program exploring the materiality of the Declaration of Independence. Monthly public events will explore the typesetting, printing and papermaking involved in the production of the Declaration of Independence, a document that was first letterpress printed in Philadelphia over the night of July 3, 1776.
These events will culminate in a 15-hour community typesetting workshop in May 2026, where all are invited to communally set metal type and compose a replica of the Declaration of Independence on our nineteenth century iron handpress. This body of type will be available to print for the rest of the summer of 2026. The replica will be printed on handmade paper made from cotton and linen rags collected from the community.
The Materiality of the Declaration: A Broadside Series
During a series of monthly open studio sessions, the university and city community will be invited to try letterpress printing through the printing of handset broadsides about the materiality of the Declaration. For each open studio event, Common Press staff will create a broadside design in metal type, paying tribute to a person or process involved in the making of the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Making Paper for the Declaration
The Common Press will make sheets of paper using the same practices and materials from the 1770’s, starting with a six-month community-wide rag collection, during which everyone in Philadelphia will be invited to donate old cotton and linen rags to make into paper. This mimics the process of papermaking in the 1770’s, when rag collectors circulated through the city to collect material for papermaking. Common Press staff will pulp these rags and make large sheets of paper which will be used to print true-to-size copies of the original Declaration of Independence.
The 15-hour Declaration of Independence
The first edition of the Declaration was set and printed in 24 hours starting on July 4, 1776. Common Press will host a 15-hour community typesetting workshop where all are invited to communally set metal type and compose a replica of the Declaration of Independence. This body of type will be available to print for the rest of the summer of 2026.
Jessica Peterson
Common Press Manager
jesspe@upenn.edu
she/her
🏢 Lower Level, Fisher Fine Arts Library
☎ 215-746-3001
For Wheelchairs
Sufficient doorway & hallway clearance
Clearance to approach table
Nearby Bathrooms
Men's and women's accessible bathrooms are on the Lower Level, in the Duhring Wing of the building.
For access, please find a staff member or
call 215-898-9870
Accessible Entrance
Directions to the accessible entrance:
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