May 2017
Letterpress greeting cards
In this hands-on introductory class you will learn the basics of setting type and designing your own unique cards using wood and metal type and letterpress ornaments. All materials are provided (including envelopes for your cards!), and you will create a set of ten cards of your own design in your choice of paper colour. Space in the class is limited. To secure your spot in the class, a non-refundable deposit of 30% is required. Register in person at Levigator…
Find out more »Block printed t-shirts
In this class, students will create richly coloured prints on t-shirts using linoleum, woodblocks, rollers, and letterpress blocks. We will cover some of the challenges of printing on fabric versus paper, and use pre-cut blocks and other print matrices to experiment with printing both by hand and in a printing press. You will go home with a beautifully printed shirt! All materials are included. We have several colours of shirts in stock in unisex and curvy sizes (adult only), and…
Find out more »Paper marbling
In this fun class you will learn how to create beautiful marble patterns on paper. In paper marbling, paint is suspended onto the surface of specially prepared thickened water and combed or swirled into intricate patterns, then transferred onto sheets of paper. These lusciously patterned sheets were traditionally used in bookbinding, but you can also use your finished papers in scrapbooks, collages, greeting cards, or even just framed for the wall! All materials are provided, and you will create between…
Find out more »Lino block printing
In this class you’ll learn the basics of carving and printing a relief print from a linoleum block. You will design and carve your own block and learn how to print it by hand as well as on a press, and will leave the class with an edition of six completed prints. You will have the option to print your block in one colour, in a multiple colour gradient, or to try selectively inking your block to make a two…
Find out more »June 2017
Two colour screenprints
In this class you will learn the basics of how to create a two-colour silkscreen print on paper. We will cover: making positives or transparencies, exposing images on a screen, how to register (line up) your printing, and pulling prints. All materials are provided, including paper, and you will make an edition of at least six prints. Please come with an idea, and sketches if possible, for what you’d like to print. Screenprint doesn’t work well in grayscale, so think…
Find out more »Bookbinding: Coptic
Coptic binding is an ancient bookbinding method in which folded sections of paper are sewn together between rigid covers to create a decorative chain stitch across the exposed spine. This is an ideal method for binding albums and sketchbooks, as the book can be laid open entirely flat. In this introductory class you will create a book using cover boards that have been prepared in advance. You will choose from a selection of cover boards culled from vintage books, and…
Find out more »Block printed fabric
In this class, students will create richly coloured prints on fabric using linoleum, woodblocks, rollers, and letterpress blocks. We will cover some of the challenges of printing on fabric versus paper, and use pre-cut blocks and other print matrices to experiment with printing on fabrics both by hand and in a printing press. You will go home with at least one beautifully printed .5 metre piece of fabric to enjoy as is or to use in future projects.
All materials are included. Students will be able to choose from a selection of fabrics that we have on hand in the studio (some plain colours, and some from printed yardage).
Find out more »Custom letterpress posters
In this fun class you will learn the basics of setting type, designing and printing your own 9×12″ letterpress poster. Use our collection of wood and metal types and ornaments to create your own unique design. If you have your own letterpress plates or carved linoblocks, those can be incorporated as well. You will print six posters using heavyweight white poster paper or your choice of eight other fun colours we have in stock, and you will have the option…
Find out more »Bookbinding: Hardcover stab binding
Stab binding is one of the simplest and earliest forms of bookbinding, using single sheets in which holes are stabbed or drilled and sewn on the outside using a variety of traditional stitch patterns.
In this follow-up to the softcover stab binding class, you will learn how to make a Westernized version of this traditional Japanese binding with a hard hinged cover. You can take this class without having taken the softcover class first.
All materials are provided, including paper, and you will leave the class with a finished book.
Find out more »Book arts: Making paste paper
Paste paper is a centuries-old technique used to create colourful, beautifully patterned papers for use as endpapers, doublures, and sometimes cover papers of hand bound books. A starch paste mixed with ink or pigment is brushed or scraped onto dampened paper and then painted or combed into intricate patterns. You can use the papers you make in this class not only in your bookbinding projects, but also for covering boxes, creating backgrounds for scrapbook pages, or making one-of-a-kind greeting cards.…
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