PrintLab – National Print Museum
PrintLab provides a unique, inclusive and creative space at the National Print Museum for children and families to participate in hands-on workshops, which aim to provide them with an understanding of the historical, social and contemporary relevance of letterpress printing as a tool for communication. Taking inspiration from the tinkering and making culture, PrintLab offers a series of ‘fablab’ style workshops, which encourage children to explore individual and communal approaches to design thinking through letterpress printing. Our space will feature workshops for families and children aged from 4-12 years (all ages are welcome!) which aim to enhance children’s learning experience and introduce the craft of letterpress to a new generation. At this year’s Dublin Maker we look forward to bringing along our ever popular Lego printing workshop, the P22 modular printing blocks, along with some traditional letterpress type and a printing press.
The aim of the National Print Museum is to promote a greater understanding of the historical significance and the contemporary relevance of printing in Ireland by exploring its heritage, craft and technology. It is a unique museum — the only one of its kind in Ireland. The collection is made up largely of letterpress printing equipment. Letterpress is a form of relief printing and was the main form of commercial printing in Ireland until the 1980s. The main collection is not behind glass or rope, but is instead an example of a working collection. The collection consists of fully-operational letterpress printing equipment, displayed and organised like a traditional 1960s print-shop. The panel of retired printers and compositors, who founded the Museum continue to play a vital role in preserving the collection and the craft. It is a registered charity and fully accredited under The Heritage Council’s Museums Standards Programme for Ireland.