Founded in 1999, Springtide Press is located in Tacoma, Washington. We design, print and bind artist books, broadsides and ephemera incorporating letterpress printing and handmade paper. Small finely-crafted editions and one-of-a-kind books explore historical topics, popular culture and typography from a unique perspective. Our shop motto, “where we always print damp” recognizes the Pacific Northwest as a fine place to print, where the damp climate helps make a good impression.

  • Tools of Trade

    Springtide Press has an abundance of wood and metal type, a collection that started when Jessica worked as at typesetter in Chicago on Printer’s Row. The collection has grown over the years, and also includes ornaments, borders, and a variety of cuts—or printer’s blocks. The shop is also filled with ephemera, especially fine printing from folks working today or in the trade a century ago.
  • The Process

    Letterpress printing is a method of relief printmaking, where an inked surface impresses paper. That inked surface can be a variety of things: metal and wood type, ornaments (or printer’s flowers), linoleum or photopolymer plates, typically computer-generated. Whatever it is, that surface has to be .918 inches tall to print. Springtide Press has a variety of presses, both platen (which works like a clamshell closing) and cylinder (where we roll the paper over the inked surface), used for letterpress printing.
  • Shop Visits

    Over the years we have hosted hundreds of visitors, including Tacoma’s annual studio tours and groups from girl scouts to graphic design students. Individual visitors and small groups are welcome to make arrangements for a tour and we’ll do our best to accommodate. You can also click here to take a virtual tour on this episode of TV Tacoma’s artTown.

  • Workshops & Internships

    A main focus at Springtide Press is sharing the history and craft of letterpress printing which is best done hands on. Workshops can be arranged for individuals or small groups, and activities can be tailored to suit all ages. We also have several small presses that travel well for demonstrations and lecture.

    Internships are available, and while the timing is flexible they are unpaid. Interns are expected to complete one project of their own while here in addition to a variety of shop chores that range from tedious to intriguing.

  • Custom Printing

    Each year we take on a few projects for clients that want custom printing, typically for other artists requiring letterpress printing, and the process is very collaborative. We offer design, typesetting and a tasteful impression that won’t harm the type or presses. We especially enjoy working with clients that appreciate the wood and metal type here at the Press, who want a one-of-a-kind design incorporating handset type and fine paper. If you require deep impression and photopolymer plates we can recommend printers in your area.