Common Press Studio

Common Press is the letterpress and book arts studio at the University of Pennsylvania.

Printers at Common Press

About the Common Press

With printing presses dating from the 1850’s to the 1960’s and a collection of wood and metal type available for use, the facility provides an environment to learn about the history of the book, to creatively experiment with hands-on analog technologies, to explore the origins of digital typography, and to use the constraints of the letterpress print shop to spark new ways of thinking about their research in any field. Common Press supports movement between digital and manual image making, and exists to support teaching and to facilitate creative projects across the university. Common Press is a collaboration of Penn Libraries, Weitzman School of Design, and Kelly Writers House.

General Access

Members of the Penn community may access Common Press during scheduled workshops and studio hours. You may use the Common Press facilities during Open Hours only if you have completed workshops in Setting Type and Press Use.

Common Press Main Page Common Press Event Calendar

Accordion List

Up to 10, depending on the project

No food is allowed in Fisher Fine Arts Library. Beverages in covered containers are allowed.

Drawer full of letter stamps for a printing press.

Common Press

The Common Press is the letterpress and book arts studio at the University of Pennsylvania. It offers workshops to students, faculty, and staff; provides studio access for independent projects; and provides curricular support.

Location and Accessibility

Accessibility

For Wheelchairs

  • Sufficient doorway & hallway clearance
  • Automatic doors or no doors
  • Clearance to approach table
  • Table with accessible surface height, knee clearance, and leg clearance

Orthopedic Accessibility

  • Chairs have adjustable height

Lighting

  • Natural and/or non-fluorescent light

Nearby Bathrooms

Accessible Entrance

Fisher accessible entrance

Directions to the accessible entrance:   Word   |   PDF