Letterpress Printing

Semester: Spring 2026
Instructor: Michael McDermott
Location: Art and Design Building, Room 1023
Timing: Mondays from 10:30–1:10pm
Office Hours: Scheduled here

Project 2

Broadside

Description

This project will combine laser cutting, letterpress printing, and risograph printing to design and print a gig poster for an event of your choosing.

The poster needs to include at least the name of the artist, date of the event, and location of the event (both venue and city/state) but can include more. The design of the poster is up to you but it needs to be in at least two colors. The first color will be printed on the Riso and the second color will be printed on the press. More colors are possible but add time and bring in more complexity with registration.

Getting your laser cut to be type high will be done in class and there will be a small material cost for this project.

Requirements

Method - Riso + Laser Cut Wood Plate
Inking - Hand
Paper - 12"x18" (Provided)
Print Area - 10"x16"
Color - 2+ (at least 1 on Riso, 1 on Press)
Passes - 2+ (at least 1 on Riso, 1 on Press)
Amount - 20

References

Things to Keep in Mind

Think about the strengths of each process.
Keep fine detail and type to a minimum for the laser cut
Laser cutting will take time.
Look at the colors available on the Riso
This is a communal space so treat it as such.
Prints should be identical.
Work intuitively, be curious, and create intentionally.

Objectives

Learn a new process with the Riso
Building technical skill while printing
Improving skill on press
Improving craft skills
Consider the edition
Working on registration

Priority Print Weeks

Group 1 – Week 9 (Mar 23)
Group 2 – Week 10 (Mar 30)
Group 3 – Week 11 (Apr 6)

Final Submission

Turned in on time (4/13/26)
Twenty physical prints, signed and numbered
Photographs of five best submitted on Canvas
All other requirements met