Printer membership

There are two main active Printer Membership levels, as well as a Printer Pass for those with short-term or infrequent projects. Completion of the New Member Training is required for all membership levels. Memberships are summarized below, details and agreements are available upon request.

If you are interested in becoming a Printer Member, just send us an email, and we’ll schedule an initial meeting and shop training.

NEW Member TraininG

Membership training consists of a mandatory one-on-one workshop and several follow up sessions working on an independent project. The training will familiarize you with the studio, teach the basics of layout, typesetting, and letterpress printing, and instruct proper clean-up and care of presses. It will be geared toward each studen’ts individual interests and projects. Students are assisted but also expected to take notes, with the goal to start working independently. After completion of the training, prospective members return to the shop to work on an independent project and become more familiar with the presses and NBLA culture. A skilled printer will be on hand to provide guidance and answer the questions that inevitably arise. The cost of new member training is $210 inclusive of one-on-one training, independent project support, and studio time. To schedule your New Member Training, email us here. If you are new to letterpress printing, please take at least one letterpress workshop with us before pursuing membership training.

- Completion of the member training and an independent project is required for all membership levels -

Printer membership Levels

STUDIO PRINTER

Studio Printers are the core group of printers, bookbinders, writers, artists and crafts people who create their own individual and collaborative work at the NBLA print shop. Each printer participates in monthly meetings wherein shop craft, projects and community & governing concerns are discussed.

Membership is available by application after completion of the New Member Training. 

Full Membership includes:

• Unlimited studio time during open hours (excluding events and workshops.) Presses can be reserved up to four weeks in advance.

• Use of any press, other equipment (when scheduled) and use of wood and metal type collection.

• Yearly group shows

• Work inclusion and ability to sell at NBLA table at craft fairs

• Membership in the Studio Printer Members Committee for North Bay Letterpress ARts

• Ability to teach workshops (paid per percentage of participant fee)

• 10% NBLA workshop discount

Studio Printers fees are $175 per month or $475 for 3 months (prepaid).

Shop Helper Membership

Shop Helper Members are part of the core group of printers, bookbinders, writers, artists and crafts people who create their own individual and collaborative work at the NBLA print shop. Each printer participates in monthly meetings wherein shop craft, projects and community & governing concerns are discussed.

Shop Helper Membership is available by application after completion of the New Member Training. 

Shop Helper Membership includes:

• Unlimited studio time during open hours (excluding events and workshops). Presses can be reserved up to four weeks in advance.

• Use of any press, other equipment (when scheduled) and use of wood and metal type collection.

• Yearly group shows

• Work inclusion and ability to sell at NBLA table at craft fairs

• Ability to teach workshops (paid per percentage of participant fee)

• 10% Workshop discount

• Agreement to volunteer 10 hours a month 

• Volunteer opportunities include Open Studio helper, workshop assistant, shop tech, and administrative support. Please coordinate with Studio Manager for volunteer hours and tasks.

Shop Helper members fees are $50 + 10 hours per month of volunteer time.

PRINTER PASS

Printer Pass holders are trained printers who are working on short-term or infrequent projects, are seeking less commitment, or who would like to get to know the shop before applying to become members.

Printers Passes are offered after completion of New Member Training.

• Passes can be pre purchased for hourly studio use. 

• Great for project printers and gift givers.

• Discounted way to prepay hours 

Printers Pass includes:

• Up to 12 studio hours per pass

• Use of any studio equipment and presses (when scheduled).

Printer Passes are $12 an hour