New Course Offering through UCD Lifelong Learning

The National Print Museum announces a new course offered in conjunction with UCD Lifelong Learning in the autumn of 2025: Introduction to Letterpress Printing – Theory and Practice. The course will run on 4 Mondays, 29 September – 20 October, from 11:00-13:00 at the Museum. Read the course description below, and learn more and register on the UCD website.

Discover the rich heritage and hands-on techniques of traditional printing in this engaging four-week course offered in partnership with the National Print Museum.

In Week 1, dive into the fascinating history of printing in Ireland and type design through an expert-led lecture, and learn about the Museum’s beginnings, activity and mission from the staff team. Week 2 brings the past to life with a guided tour of the museum’s collection and live demonstrations of the letterpress machines by retired compositors and printers.

Weeks 3 and 4 shift from theory to practice. Participants will learn to hand-set type, operate a proofing press, and explore the art of linocut carving and printing. By the end of the course, students will have created both a letterpress print and a linocut print to take home.

Ideal for creatives, history enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the craft behind the printed word, this course offers a rare chance to learn the mechanics and artistry of letterpress in an authentic setting. No prior experience required.