Arts & Letters

The Quiet Resurgence of UK Letterpress Printing

Craft printers are finding new audiences with old-school charm.

Published on 2025-10-16 23:59 by By Mrs Kathleen Perry

In an age of instant publishing and digital fonts, a quiet revival is taking place in studios across the UK — the art of letterpress printing is making a return. Its textured elegance and mechanical rhythm offer a tangible counterpoint to the ephemeral nature of online media.

Letterpress, once the backbone of British newspapers and advertisements, had nearly vanished by the end of the 20th century. But today, small presses in Bristol, Edinburgh, and Sheffield are running once again — often restored by hand and operated with the kind of reverence usually reserved for classic cars or antique instruments.

Printmakers speak of the physicality involved — the satisfying snap of metal type, the smell of ink, the weight of the platen. It’s slow work, but meaningful. Each project is a deliberate act, often involving dozens of decisions before the first sheet is fed through the press.

Workshops are springing up across the country, attracting a mix of designers, poets, and nostalgic hobbyists. These sessions teach more than printing; they offer patience, process, and the joy of imperfection. No two prints are ever exactly alike — and that’s the point.

Environmental concerns have also shaped the resurgence. Many presses use recycled papers and soy-based inks, aligning tradition with sustainability. The result is a product that’s both mindful and enduring, often used for wedding invitations, poetry chapbooks, or limited edition posters.

As one printer in Brighton put it, 'In a world of instant everything, letterpress makes you pause. It’s not just about printing — it’s about making something with your hands that will last.'