Workshops & Events
Drum Leaf Binding
The drum leaf binding—developed by Tim Ely—is a simple yet elegant design that uses folio pages printed on one side and not sewn through the fold.
Block Print Bandanas
In this in-person workshop, learn how to create repeating patterns and carve a linoleum block to print on fabric.
Introduction to Marbling: December
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Introduction to Screen Printing: December
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.
Alphabet Alchemy
In this in-person workshop, you’ll learn a variety of inking and typesetting techniques that break away from traditional typography and letterpress printing to reimagine the shapes of our alphabet.
Make Your Own Book Cloth
In this in-person workshop, learn the traditional method for making book cloth with wheat paste, fabric, and Japanese paper.
Screen Print Totes
Screen print your unique design on three totes ahead of the gift-giving season!
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (December)
This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press.
Paper Fiber Images: Blow-Outs & Pulp Painting
In this in-person workshop, explore blowouts and pulp painting, image-making techniques that use stencils and stencil resists to create colorful and repeatable images in your paper.
Box Building: Clamshell Boxes
In this in-person workshop, create a small clamshell box to fit a deck of cards.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Morning
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case.
Image Transfers for Collage
Image transfers are a playful and versatile process to add to your collage toolbox. Part collage and part print, image transfers offer an opportunity for unexpected results.
Luminaria: Winter Lanterns
During short winter days, the warm glow of a festive luminaria can cut through the darkness that surrounds us. Make handmade paper luminarias with watermarks and paper-cut designs in this in-person workshop.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Evening
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case.
Book Repair: When Paper Fails
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational techniques and methods to care for aged and damaged paper.
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (January)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.
Introduction to Marbling: January
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Collage Chapbooks at WIP and MCBA!
Join Workshop for Independent Publishing (WIP) founders, Aiden Bettine and India Johnson, for an in-person chapbook publishing workshop at WIP (Saturday 1/10) and MCBA (Sunday 1/11).
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters
In this virtual workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques through a step-by-step approach to drawing letters and short words, and come away with a set of your own hand-lettered cards that you can give to friends and family.
Collaborative Publishing Deep-Dive
In this virtual workshop, we’ll take an in-depth look into the often hidden labor of publishing artists’ books: working with collaborators, budgeting, pricing, payments, sales, distribution, and promotion.
Digital File Preparation for Screen Printing
This virtual workshop is a guide to using Photoshop for screen printing, including converting grayscale images to halftones, using threshold filters for easy posterization, and other tips and tricks.
Marbling Focus: Stone & Moire
This in-person workshop focuses on honing skills needed to marble stone and moire patterns.
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (January)
This in-person letterpress workshop focuses on setting metal type and building familiarity with printing on the Vandercook press.
Coptic Binding
This in-person workshop is great for both first-time and advanced binders. It introduces Coptic bindings, the most common form of link-stitch binding and possibly the oldest continuously used book sewing pattern.
Hardcover Exposed Sewn Binding
In this virtual workshop, learn how to create a beautiful hardcover binding using leather or cloth for the spine, and paper for the cover boards.
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints (January)
Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints focuses on printing multiple layers and building printers’ confidence using Vandercook presses through practice.
Introduction to Screen Printing: January
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and practice the photo emulsion process, from positive creation and screen coating to exposure and reclaiming.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Weekend
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case.
Japanese Papermaking: January
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.
Introduction to Book Design
This in-person book design workshop is introductory and tailored to the needs of beginning and intermediate book artists. The focus is on both traditional and experimental typography, layout, and book structure.
Hot Foil Stamping on Kwikprint Machines
Foil adds rich gold, shiny silver, and wild holographic accents to prints and bindings. Learn how to use the hot foil stamping machines in MCBA’s bindery, aptly named Kwikprint machines.
Mini Marbling
Experience the patterns and designs you know and love, but now at a smaller scale.
Screen Print Cards: January
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!
Letterpress Refresh: Be My Valentine
Refresh your skills and build confidence in letterpress printing in this love-themed workshop.
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters, Holiday Edition
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover lettering techniques through a guided approach to drawing letters and short words, and walk away with a set of your own hand-lettered seasonal cards!
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics (November)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.
Paper Marbling: Patterns 2
Mastering the figure-8 and complex waves is essential for every marbler's toolkit.
Introduction to Marbling: November
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Screen Print Cards
Get familiar with MCBA’s screen printing studio and print your unique design on a set of cards!
Fun with Flexagons!
A flexagon is a paper construction that flexes or folds to reveal faces other than the front or back of the paper.
Type as Image: Experiments in Letterpress
In this in-person workshop, investigate the way the letters and the spaces between them communicate meaning in new, unexpected ways.
Single-Page Book Extravaganza
Single-page books or flutter-fold books, as they are affectionately called, are extremely versatile for making small books, zines, short greetings, or an interesting format for a letter.
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding: Weekend
In this in-person workshop, learn foundational skills in bookbinding while making three book structures: pamphlet binding (single- and double-section), slotted tape binding, and a hardcover, flat-back book with three-piece case.
Make Your Own Book Cloth
In this in-person workshop, learn the traditional method for making book cloth with wheat paste, fabric, and Japanese paper.
Animated Monster Postcards
Send spine-chilling Halloween greetings to your spookiest family and friends!
Suminagashi
Immerse yourself in the oldest form of marbling, Suminagashi 墨流し (“spilled or floating ink”).
Paste Paper & Potential Uses
Paste papers are a playful and accessible DIY method to incorporate color, pattern, and other design elements into any project.
Introduction to Marbling: October
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Letterpress 2: Setting Type (September)
This in-person letterpress workshop offers an introduction to MCBA’s print studio—including key equipment, tools, and terminology—in addition to an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of printing a message through the hands-on process of letterpress printing.
Make Your Own Bindery Tools
In this in-person workshop, learn how to make several common bindery tools including a laying press, wood and plexi press boards, bone folders, punching cradles, and box corner jigs.
In the Field: Papermaking
This in-person workshop is geared toward thinking sustainably in building a studio practice of papermaking with natural fibers.
Hand-Lettering 2: Composition & Balance
Building on the fundamentals of drawing letters and short words in Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters (previously called The Art of Hand-Lettering), this follow-up workshop focuses on working with multiple words and phrases.
Do-Si-Do Zines
Do-si-do (also dos-à-dos) binding is a structure that binds two separate text blocks with a shared back cover. This unique approach lends itself to thematic considerations that play with this theme of opposite-but-shared.
Cross Structure Binding
In this in-person workshop, learn the cross structure binding, a versatile softcover binding that features a decorative woven cover.
Introduction to Marbling: September
Experience the magic of marbling firsthand with this in-person workshop!
Hand-Lettering 1: Art of Letters
In this in-person workshop, you'll discover hand-lettering techniques through a guided approach to drawing letters and short words, and come away with a poster featuring your own lettering alphabet or your favorite letter!
Paper Thread
Learn to make paper thread two ways, rooted in Korean and Japanese traditions in this in-person workshop with visiting artist Aimee Lee.
Paper Marbling: Patterns 1
Designed for those with prior marbling experience, you'll explore classical patterns, including the get-gal nonpareil and its variations.
Making Books and Pop-Ups with Kids
This virtual workshop is for any adult who would like to build a repertoire of cards and books to teach the children in their lives, regardless of the setting—school, home, community center, or after-school program.
Japanese Papermaking
Explore the tools and techniques of Japanese papermaking in this in-person workshop.
Pulp Painting
In this in-person workshop, participants will learn the art of creating pulp paintings from start to finish!
Letterpress Cards with Hebrew Wood Type
Experience letterpress printing while making cards with MCBA's new collection of Hebrew wood type.