Welcome

LONG LIVE PRINT!

Welcome to Thin Ice Press and the York Centre for Print.

Traditional printing is an endangered craft. We’re here to ensure it thrives for centuries to come! Find out more about our membership offers, workshops and events, and exhibitions. All are welcome in our superbly-equipped pressroom, museum and gallery — from absolute beginners to experienced printmakers. If you love craft, design, creativity or heritage, you’ll love Thin Ice Press.

We started our journey in 2017, when we founded our on-campus letterpress teaching and research studio.

Next came StreetLife: an ambitious project that put traditional printing back in the heart of York.

In late 2023, we soft launched our Centre for Print, recruiting a fantastic team, running workshops and away days, and welcoming members.

In 2024, we are moving to a permanent home. Watch this space for our new website (coming in early January), as well as news of our wonderful new venue, masses of workshops and events, and much more.

Please spread the word or chip in to our crowdfunder to help with the big move. Use the contact form or email thinicepress@york.ac.uk to join our mailing list or enquire about workshops, away days and events.

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Print at York

Our wooden common press will provide an opportunity to explore the vibrant printing history of York. From the 18th century female entrepreneurs who printed the first newspaper in York, to the printer’s devil that marked the location of the printing houses of Stonegate and its most famous resident, Thomas Gent (1693 – 1778).

Thomas Gent inherited his printing business from his wife, published several works (including a commemorative handbill on the Ouse in the great freeze of 1740) and established a printing house in Scarborough. Scarborough Museums Trust have kindly loaned Thin Ice Press the 18th century remains of a common press that once belonged to Thomas Gent, and it has already informed the plans and construction of our own working replica. 

Follow the links below to find out more about the wooden common press and to delve deeper into the history of printing in York.

Printing in York            Thomas Gent            Common Press

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Projects

Thursday 24th January marked the official launch of Thin Ice Press. We celebrated the transformation of a neglected room into a working letterpress studio surrounded by staff, students, guests, and many letterpress printers who have helped us on our journey so far. Check out the launch event and past milestones, events and updates on our blog.

Our current focus is to provide a historical introduction to printing and ways to directly engage with letterpress. Members of the university can join our printing society (PrintSoc) and members of the public can check out our events page for more information.

Thin Ice Press has produced work for events within the the Department of English and Related Literature, conferences, collaborations between PrintSoc and student magazines, and facilitated independent creative work from visiting artists. You can view a selection of our work by following the links below.

Our Work               Printing Society              Collaborations

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Contact Us

Stay up to date with Thin Ice Press projects and news by following us on Instagram. If you would like to join our publication mailing list please email us your name and email address using the form below or contacting us directly at thinicepress@york.ac.uk.

Currently on Instagram