Tipoteca 2026: a letterpress workshop devoted to script type

Josse Pickard setting wood type at the Tipoteca.

Letterforms Study Group at the Tipoteca 2026 (Moderni Interpretazione di Corsivo Inglese in Caratteri) [Modern Interpretations of Script in Type] is a follow-up to the successful letterpress workshop Letterforms Study Group at the Tipoteca 2025 (Corsivo Inglese in Caratteri). Josse Pickard was a participant in Tipoteca 2025. Here is what he has to say about that experience:

Tipoteca 2025 was an inspiring and eye-opening experience! Being immersed in Italy’s rich typographic history with Paul Shaw as our guide was incredibly rewarding. I learnt so much from studying the wood and metal type firsthand, exploring their forms, spacing, and printing nuances. The Tipoteca is an incredible institution, and having the opportunity to explore, directed by such passionate experts was a joy. The specimen book, despite the challenging production moments, is a beautiful object that I will treasure. To top this all off, the food (and Prosecco) were outstanding!

Tipoteca 2026 promises to be as rewarding as Tipoteca 2025. Instead of investigating traditional forms of script type (roundhand or corsivo inglese) in wood and metal it will explore modern interpretations of those forms. Participants (limited to a maximum of 8) will learn about the rich history of the roundhand and Italian scripts as practiced by English and European writing masters of the 17th and 18th centuries, the long history of efforts to convert those scripts into type, and the history of wood type in Italy. They will learn to set metal type and to print on both a Vandercook-style cylinder press and a traditional iron handpress. They will collaborate on the design and printing of a specimen book documenting the features of modern pointed-pen script typefaces in comparison to traditional ones. And when not designing, setting type, or printing, participants will have ample opportunities to enjoy the delicious food and wine (including Prosecco and spritzes) of the Veneto region of Italy.

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. The early bird price of $3700 ends May 1, 2026.

Tipoteca 2026 registration form

For more information contact paulshaw@nyc.rr.com.

Notice: As of March 15, 2026 this workshop has been cancelled.

Josse Pickard laying out his and Earl Kallemeyn’s spread showing the character set of the Stocchetti 004–006 wood type script.