Ink, Type and Teamwork Team Building

By Karen Michael-Cox

My i3Works team recently had an exciting team-building experience at the Letterpress Collective in Bristol. Letterpress printing, a revolutionary technique since Johannes Gutenberg’s invention in the mid-15th century, dominated the printing landscape until the mid-20th century. With its vibrant chocolate and tobacco industries, Bristol became a key hub for this art. Today, letterpress is enjoying a revival as an artisanal craft.

During our session, our teacher introduced us to the intricacies of hand-setting type and letterpress printing. After a brief theoretical overview, we dove into hands-on practice with an array of exquisite wooden type. We composed and locked movable type onto a press, inked it, and pressed it onto paper to create stunning posters. Using vintage presses, we produced beautiful, unique works of art to take home.

We discovered how letterpress has influenced the fonts and settings we use daily in applications like MS Word. The experience encouraged us to make creative decisions and solve problems quickly. I found it amusing when our tutor expressed concern about time management, but I had complete confidence in my capable team of project and programme managers. Ultimately, we successfully created five distinct posters—on time, within budget, and to a high standard.

A heartfelt thank you to i3Works for recognising the importance of team building. Spending time together to relax, learn, and bond is vital for our mental health and the overall well-being of our fantastic business. And a special thanks to my exceptional team, who consistently support and uplift one another.