If you're after something a bit different to do, something analogue, something you make with your hands and take home at the end as a memory of a great day out in Leighton Buzzard, I got you boo.
Let me introduce you to my letterpress printing workshops!
Hello, I'm Ruby, and I run The Hellbox Press, a small letterpress studio in Leighton Buzzard. A few times a month I open the studio doors and teach small groups how to print the old-fashioned way, with wood type, ink, and a my trusted vintage Farley Proofing press.
What is letterpress, anyway?
Letterpress is one of the oldest forms of printing there is. You arrange individual letters made of wood or metal by hand, ink them up, and press them onto paper to leave an impression you can feel with your fingertips. It's how everything was printed for about 500 years, before screens took over the world.
Not so fun fact, letterpress is officially an endangered craft in the UK, which is a large part of why I do this, I want to keep it alive and put it in as many people's hands as possible. Yours included!
Plus it's a little but of an FU to AI, let's go back to analogue baby.
No experience? No problemo.
This is the bit people worry about, so let me put it to bed: you do not need to have printed anything, ever. Most people who come along have never touched a press in their life. That's completely the point.
I'll show you everything you need to know, how to choose and set your type, how to ink it, and how to pull a print on the press. You'll go from "I have no idea what I'm doing" to holding something you printed yourself, in an afternoon. I can't guarantee how good it will be, but I can guarantee you'll have fun*.
(*for legal reasons I can't guarantee you'll have fun, but roll with me here...)
What we'll actually do
The workshop runs for four hours, and we split it in two halves.
First, we warm up with a bit of Word Soup. A silly, brilliant group game where everyone throws words into a pot and we pull them back out to make weird little sentences. Each person writes an adjective, a noun, verb and an adverb. i.e. ORANGE GOOSE SCREAMS WEARILY that kind of thing.
We pick our group fave, set it in wood type together, and print it. It's a nice icebreaker, and you'll have made something as a group before the break.
Then, in the second half, you'll set and print one word of your own to take home. Whatever word you like, sincere, silly, rude, up to you, no judgement here. You'll set it, ink it, and pull it yourself, and I'll post your finished prints out once they've dried - this normally takes about two weeks.
You'll leave with two prints, ink under your nails, and a new skill.
Come on your own, or bring your people
You're very welcome to book a single spot and join others, but because workshops are small (max 4 people), you could even book the whole thing out with your mates. Round up four of you and the studio is yours for the afternoon.
I am obviously biased but it makes a brilliant get-together, a birthday, a catch-up, or something a bit more memorable than dinner and drinks...
I also do hen parties, where, should your heart desire it, you're more than welcome to print all the rude words you like. I won't be offended. I'll probably help brainstorm them with you :).
Where to find me
The Hellbox Press studio is in Leighton Buzzard town centre, easy to reach if you're coming from Milton Keynes, Dunstable, Aylesbury, Bedford or Luton, and a nice enough excuse for a little day out whichever direction you're travelling from.
The practical bits
- Where: The Hellbox Press, Leighton Buzzard Town Center (address given once booked)
- How long: Four hours (1–5pm), with a lil breather in the middle
- How much: £60 per person
- Group size: Max 4 people, so you get proper time at the press and proper attention
- Age: Adults only, 18+
- What to wear: Aprons are provided, but don't wear your Sunday best, ink doesn't care about your nice jumper
- Next workshop: Check here to see when the next one is
Heads up re accessibility: the studio is up a flight of stairs with no lift, and pulling the press takes a bit of welly. If that's tricky for you don't worry, I'm very happy to pull it for you so you still go home with your print.
Inclusivity
The Hellbox Press is an LGBTQIA+ friendly space, and everyone is welcome in the studio. Disrespect of any kind towards anyone won't be tolerated, and you will be eliminated. (:
A lovely thing to do and/or gift
If you're looking for fun, different or creative things to do in Leighton Buzzard, or a different kind of day out in Bedfordshire, this is it. It's also a brilliant gift, for the crafty friend, the person who has everything, or anyone who could do with a few hours off their phone.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Most people arrive having never touched a press. I teach you everything from scratch, and you'll go home with prints you made yourself.
How much is it and how long does it last?
It's £50 per person for a four-hour workshop, running from 1–5pm, with a lil break in the middle.
Can I book a workshop for a group or a private party?
Yes! Workshops are a maximum of four people, so with four of you, you can book the whole studio out privately. It's a lovely thing to do for a birthday or a get-together.
Do you do hen parties?
Yes ma'am. Bring your group, and if you fancy printing something a bit naughty, I'm all for it. Get in touch and we'll sort a date.
What will I take home?
Two prints, one made with the group, and one word of your own choosing. I post them out once they've fully dried, which takes approx two weeks.
Is the studio accessible?
The studio is up a flight of stairs with no lift, so please bear that in mind. Pulling the press also takes a bit of physical effort, if you can't pull the press, I'm very happy to pull it on your behalf so you still leave with your print. If you have any access questions before booking, just ask.
Where are you based?
The Hellbox Press is in Leighton Buzzard, easily reachable from Milton Keynes, Dunstable, Aylesbury, Bedford and Luton.
How do I book?
Have a look at the upcoming dates here and grab your spot. If you'd like a private session or a party date that isn't listed, please drop me a message, I'm happy to open the studio on request.
Hopefully see you at the studio!
Ruby x