Letterforms Study Group at the Tipoteca 2026: Moderni Interpretazione di Corsivo Inglese in Caratteri
Fluidum in wood. Image from pp. 65–66 of Alphabets of Wood by James Clough and Chiara Schattolin (Cornuda: Antiga Edizioni, 2014)
Riccardo De Franceschi enjoyed Tipoteca 2025 so much that as soon as the workshop was over he suggested we repeat the experience in 2026. His enthusiasm was infectious and thus he, Richard Ardagh, and myself are planning Tipoteca 2026, a letterpress workshop devoted to the continuing deep study of script typefaces, both in metal and in wood. Here are the details as of August 28, 2025:
Leaders
Tipoteca 2026 will be lead by Paul Shaw and Riccardo De Franceschi. Richard Ardagh of New North Press in London will be the master printer.
Theme
The workshop will focus on metal and wood script typefaces. As in 2025, we expect to analyze and document several typefaces and then design and print a specimen book to display our findings.
The typefaces will include Rosaria 030–032 and an unidentified metal script typeface—both of which we used in Tipoteca 2025, but did not fully document—along with metal and wood versions of Fluidum, a modern script designed by Alessandro Butti for Nebiolo, as well as several others yet to be determined.
The project will be a collaborative one with participants divided into teams as they were for Tipoteca 2025 and Legacy of Letters 2023. Each participant will finish the workshop with a printed (and hopefully bound) specimen book.
Participation
Participation is open to anyone with a serious interest in letterforms (letter carving, calligraphy, lettering, graffiti, typography, type design). No college degree or professional experience is required. We want people with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to work with others. The number of participants will be capped at 8.
Dates
October 4–11, 2026
Itinerary
October 4 Sunday—arrival day / Orientation
October 5 Monday—Tipoteca: museum tour / introduction to hand typesetting / visual history of formal script / project brief
October 6 Tuesday—Tipoteca: preliminary research and design of the selected metal and wood script typefaces / initial composition of specimen pages
October 7 Wednesday—Tipoteca: initial composition of cover, title page, captions, colophon, etc. of specimen book / initial printing of first color
October 8 Thursday—Tipoteca: continued composition of specimen pages / continued printing of first color / initial printing of second color
October 9 Friday—Tipoteca: proofing of cover, front matter and back matter / finish printing of second color
October 10 Saturday—Tipoteca: collation and binding of specimen book
October 11 Sunday—departure day
The schedule has six days at the Tipoteca, the longest stint we have had. The itinerary is what we hope to accomplish each day. It is subject to change. What is actually accomplished will depend on the difficulties presented by the typefaces and the skill and speed of the participants.
We are working on a bonus trip (at extra cost) to Modena to print with script wood type from the renowned collection of Luca Lattuga at the Officina Typo.
Locations
The Letterforms Study Group workshop will take place at the Tipoteca, a printing museum located in Cornuda, a small town an hour’s drive from Venice.
Lodging (included in the price) will once again be at the Villa Bolzonello in Cornuda. The villa is an agriturismo that makes Prosecco. It is a 40 to 45 minute leisurely walk from the Tipoteca. Bicycles will be available (at extra cost) for those who prefer to ride back and forth. Car service (at an extra cost) can be arranged for those who are unable to walk or ride a bicycle
Note: The weather in Cornuda in October is much cooler than in the summer. The average temperature is 64° F.
Pricing
We are fighting inflation and maintaining 2025 prices for 2026. These prices are guaranteed until April 30, 2026. They may go up after that as we finalize our costs. So, register early.
$3900—full price
$3700—early bird full price; for registration before May 1, 2026.
$3500—discount price for previous participants in Legacy of Letters tours and workshops; or in Letterforms Study Group events in the United States or Europe
$3300—student price with a valid ID
Scholarships
For Tipoteca 2026 we have funds so far for 3 half scholarships of $2000. We hope to be able to ultimately offer up to 3 additional half scholarships. The scholarships are for those 40 years old or younger. Please send a short resume and a PDF portfolio of up to 15 samples of your work (calligraphy, lettering, typography, type design, graphic design) to Paul Shaw at paulshaw@nyc.rr.com.
Registration
To register for Tipoteca 2026 fill out the attached registration form below and send it to Paul Shaw at definitivedwiggins@gmail.com or 785 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10025 USA. A deposit of $300 is required to guarantee a place.
Tipoteca 2026 registration form
For more information contact paulshaw@nyc.rr.com.
Notice: As of March 15, 2026 this workshop has been cancelled.
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