Ted Ollier of Reflex Letterpress will guide you and your fellow designers through the history of letterpress, before delving into the art of arranging lead type to design notecards. Experience the magic of printing on an antique Vandercook proofing press to print your designs, with a selection of cardstock and fine art papers to experiment with.
Leave the class with a personalized set of A2 notecards that you typeset and printed yourself—a tangible and uniquely personal reminder of your introduction to this beautiful, tactile art form.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- The history of letterpress and its impact on art and publishing through the centuries, continuing to today
- The fundamentals of letterpress printing
- The timeless skill of arranging lead type to create designs
- How to operate an antique Vandercook proofing press to produce handmade print materials
WHEN + WHERE:
March 21, 2026
1–3pm at Reflex Letterpress 523 Medford St, Charlestown, MA 02129
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Designers who are beginners to typesetting and eager to add another hands-on skill to their toolbox in community with other creatives.
SCHEDULE:
12:45 PM Arrive to the press to get situated and meet your fellow designers
1:00 PM Jump in to learning the history of letterpress
2:00 PM Hands-on print work
3:00 PM End
VENUE PARKING:
523 Medford St, Charlestown, MA 02129, street parking available
For more info, contact events@boston.aiga.org
Public transportation is recommended: Sullivan Orange Line T stop
TICKET FEES:
AIGA Member: $80
AIGA Student Member: $50
Non-Member: $90
Student Non-Member (ID Required): $60
Ticket proceeds go towards Reflex Letterpress time, artisan expertise, and fine art supplies; and AIGA Boston’s volunteer-run educational and professional outreach.
SAFETY REQUIREMENT / WHAT TO BRING:
Close-toed shoes and long pants are required.
YOUR WORKSHOP HOST:
Ted Ollier has been dealing with design and printing since about 1995. He has been working with digital layouts from Aldus Pagemaker to Quark XPress to Adobe InDesign to Affinty Designer. He has dealt with standalone RIPs to imagesetters to ferric etchings to transparency masks. He has designed fonts, business cards, wedding invitations, CD covers, trifold brochures and curriculum booklets. He was trained as a traditional printmaker — intaglio, relief, silkscreen and lithography — at Texas State University and Massachusetts College of Art. He has been teaching letterpress since 2008 at the Bow & Arrow Press and since 2018 at Reflex Letterpress. He can pretty much set you up with what you need to get something printed.
Online: Ted Ollier and/or Reflex Letterpress online presence
Email: tedol@reflexletterpress.com
Instagram: @mindhue @reflexletterpress
Graphic by Sarah Sweeney
VENUE ACCESSIBILITY:
AIGA Boston is committed to hosting events that are accessible for all. If you need special assistance to participate in this event, please contact Catherine Headen (catherine@boston.aiga.org) Board President. For reasonable assistance accommodations to be provided, please notify us at least five business days in advance of the event. If we do not receive timely notification of your reasonable request, we may not be able to make the necessary arrangements by the time of the event.
CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:
There are no refunds for this event.
PERMISSION FOR PHOTOS / VIDEOS / AUDIO:
Your registration constitutes permission to use photos, audio, and video recording taken of you at the event for promotional and educational purposes in connection with AIGA Boston.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
AIGA Boston has adopted the AIGA Code of Conduct with regard to its activities. We reserve the right to refuse admittance for violations of this Code, or other unlawful or disruptive actions. Any concerns should be addressed to the Director of Membership or Community Outreach.
PARTNERS:
Reflex Letterpress
