The Common Press

The Common Press is the letterpress printing studio at the University of Pennsylvania. It is supported by a collaboration of interests at Penn, including writing (15th Room Press, Kelly Writers House), print culture (the Rare Book & Manuscript Library), and visual arts and design (the School of Design). The Common Press was founded on January 17, 2006, the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth. The Common Press provides a mixed media environment to support the teaching of design and fine arts to students, to encourage collaboration on projects across the university, and to expose students to contemporary print culture

Wednesday, June 10, 2009


LETTERS FOR YOU 
click here for a beautiful Grotesque Alphabet brought to you by BibliOdyssey

Thursday, May 28, 2009

New Asshole Magazine










New Asshole is an academic journal that strives for a critical dialogue surrounding the production of DIY art. It publishes writing concerned with the contextualization, theorization, and documentation of contemporary basement aesthetics. Each issue contains essays concerned with the nature of production, the placement of DIY art in the trajectory of history, the relationship with the institutional art space, and the manner in which art is received by the public. In addition to publications, New Asshole creates events such as lectures and panel discussions to further encourage public discourse.
(text taken from New Asshole website)

you can now purchase a subscription online at newasshole.com/subscribe.html

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

SPRING CLEANING~


SPRING CLEANING-
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the wheatpaste wall has been reset



Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Westchester New York: not your ordinary burbs!

Westchester County has never been merely the country escape of ritzy Manhattanites. About an hour north of the fabulous city, the area is a haven for the arts ... where artists can find the space that NYC just can't offer. 
The Lift Trucks Project (LTP) is a new space located in Croton Falls, NY, converted from a 1920's fork lift repair shop into studios and an exhibition space. Its roster includes the likes of Alex Katz and Robert Indiana.

Anyway if you find yourself in New York between June 7th and July 12th, check out their new exhibit: FROM A FACTORY FLOOR: Screen Print Collaborations. Screen print collaborations with prints by master screen printer Gary Lichtenstein.



















Gary Panter





images from http://www.ltproject.com/LTP_upcoming.html

2 tidbits; can't get enuff letterpress!

Check it out: how to set type and look good in flannel:

Thanks comberg!

And some more entertainment

thanks cva!

Remember always stand sturdy with feet slightly apart, and your elbows should always move freely!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Culpa Culpa

YO YO YO... the COMMON PRESS is now apart of the College & University Letterpress Printers' Association (CULPA) !!

Established in 2006, CULPA is an international group. It's goal is to bring together educators and students in the letterpress community. OMG that's the same goals as us. phew!

Check em out: CULPA

and they've got some news, stay updated!

First Arabic Printing Press


Back in the day, 1734, Mr. Al-Shamas Abdullah Zakher founded the first Arabic printing press. Located in Lebanon this little press ran happily until 1899. It was the fist Arabic script printing press in Lebanon. To learn more about this little guy and see some awesome pictures click here.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Oh how summer is near;

In that limbo between finals and the end of classes, impulsive acts of exploration, due to the lack of scheduling, and kittens become common. It's not like we are on vacation, there is still a lot of work to do, but summer is setting in, and those who ventured down to the basement of morgan yesterday found themselves witness to the unveiling of truth and machinery, the railroads didn't build themselves you know?

So we tried it out, our newest family member: the offset baby, a multilith 1250. Like heros and vultures, the machine was set into motion. oh how monumental? how magnificent? paper trays and paper trails! 11 rollers parched for life, given breath! Macedonian fervor and daily sweater vests! This is Common Press.
Now truth be told, though we are incredibly grateful to southern men named Bud, and we couldn't have been any wiser, we didn't get quite get anything printed
BUT THIS IS HOW IT WILL RUN:






Please join us on Sunday!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Hey guys,
Sorry it's been long. Just wanted to let you know that the Screenprinting and Relief Class are having a show this coming Sunday, May 3rd @4 pm. Please come! Schmooze a little!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

ICA: first wednesday

Once again the ICA has kindly invited the Common Press to help host the ICA PENN First Wednesday March 4th, 2009 (TODAY)!

7:30pm / Meet the artist: Joshua Mosley
8:30pm / Customize your very own RADical art totes with 4 unique silkscreen designs by local artists (and even a design by Common Press members Sofie and Manya).

As always, free coffee and dessert plus enter a raffle to win a free iPod.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Lip Smackers!


KA-POW

Finally a worthy addition (and subtraction) from our wheat paste wall:


Saturday, February 14, 2009