Printing on thin ice
A new centre has opened in York dedicate to preserving the endangered heritage craft skills of the printing trade
ONCE, a long time ago, printing was the cutting-edge technology driving a communications revolution that transformed the world; these days it's just another branch of bygone heritage.
Still, the trade has its enthusiasts eager to preserve and explore the old ways; now they can learn the skills involved with the launch in York of a dedicated centre for a heritage craft that's considered endangered.
Print is far from dead, of course; despite the endless predictions (wishful thinking?) of its imminent demise from the purists of this digital era.
Over the centuries of print's long endurance, adapting and even thriving through the age of radio, cinema and television, the technology involved has changed out of all recognition. Ironically, perhaps, it even embraced digital for the delivery of the analogue page.
The old ways still cast a spell, though; much as the quill pen or the typewriter retains a certain quaint hold over symbolising the writer's craft. Somehow, for all the anachronism, they seem a rather more artful – indeed, soulful – portrayal, but old tech needs old skills.
That's where Thin Ice Press: The York Centre for Print comes in. The centre, situated at the Old School House in York is open to researchers, students, and members of the public. Its purpose is to celebrate the city's tradition of printing, and preserve the craft itself for future generations.
The centre has its origins in the StreetLife project. This was a scheme run by York University to help regenerate the city's Coney Street following the challenges high street shops faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was a crowdfunding campaign that helped make it possible.
The university's Department of English & Related Literature had decided to open up printing press research, and bring it to a wider audience; the crowdfund helped to achieve that goal. Now the centre welcomes visitors for workshops, business away days, as well as talks and events that explore creative art and York’s printing history.
“We are immensely grateful to our donors for making this centre a reality. Since we opened our doors we have had a great response from visitors and local businesses,” said Professor Helen Smith, co-director of the centre.
“Our centre is about exploring the practicalities of getting words onto a page, whether it is a card, a poster, or a book, and reminding people what a creative process that can be.
"Printing is an endangered craft, so we aim to help preserve the skills that it takes to operate these machines, as well as keep some of York’s heritage alive. There was a time when York was the only place outside of London, Oxford and Cambridge where printing took place, so it is exciting to see it back in the city.”
The project celebrated Coney Street by creating a cultural hub, hosting music and poetry events, and showcasing the city’s printing history by installing an iron handpress at what was once the heart of the city’s thriving newspaper industry.
StreetLife concluded in 2023, and the iron press now sits alongside a wide range of presses and equipment, at the new York Centre for Print.
Thin Ice Press is named as an affectionate tribute to York-based printer Thomas Gent, who during his lifetime published more than 60 works and brought a makeshift printing press out onto the frozen River Ouse during the great freeze of 1740, where he printed souvenirs for the eager crowds.
The centre also houses powered proofing presses, hand presses, tabletop and iron presses, including a Columbian dated 1845 and an Albion dated 1853, with an etching press soon to come. A gallery and shop is also in development.
MC