Have a project or freelance job in mind but need to access letterpress equipment?
Want to complete a bookbinding project but need a space or special tools? SFCB can help!
Our studios are available for use by students who have completed a Core workshop certificate in bookbinding or printing, or who have completed an interview/skills test with our Studio Director | Resident Instructor. Bookbinding certificate holders are welcome to use our bindery equipment, including sewing frames, board shears, job backers, etc. Cylinder printing certificate holders may use our collection of type and ornaments, as well as our Vandercook Proof Presses.
Some equipment, such as the electric cutter, requires a special training session for a small fee. Requests for a skills test or training session can be made to info@sfcb.org.
How It Works
- Winter 2024 daytime studio rental is available for $10/hour, Wednesday/Thursday from 10am-4pm; the Print Studio is unavailable on Fridays due to an ongoing workshop. There are other exceptions due to workshops or special events so be sure to confirm availability with us when planning your project.
- Open Studio dates are special weekend or evening rental times, staffed by an SFCB instructor, and are free of charge for qualified students!
Upcoming dates are as follows:
- Monday, September 18 :: 5-9pm cancelled - no signups
- Saturday, September 30 :: 10am-4pm
- Monday, October 16 :: 5-9pm
- Sunday, November 5 :: 10am-4pm :: Print Studio only
- Monday, November 13 :: 5-9pm
- Wednesday, December 6 :: 5-9pm
You must schedule your studio rental/open studio time by emailing info@sfcb.org or calling 415-565-0545 for a reservation. No walk ins.
Studio Rental / Policies
- SFCB requests 24 hour advance cancellation notice
- You must book in advance by calling 415-565-0545 or emailing info@sfcb.org. If you have not received a confirmation via phone or email, you do not have studio time reserved. Time can only be booked by an SFCB staff member.
- When you arrive for your studio rental, you must check in with the front desk and check out when you leave.
- SFCB's studios are a community space where respect and accountability are of the utmost importance. You are responsible for leaving the space cleaner than you found it and reporting any equipment issues in writing. You can email info@sfcb.org, write the issue on the designated clipboard outside the second administrative office, or speak directly to your Open Print Studio instructor about the issue.
- For safety and maintenance reasons, it is very important that you only use equipment you have been thoroughly trained to use.
- Guests and visitors must sign a waiver and are not allowed to touch any of the equipment or assist with cleaning the equipment.
- The studio can be a busy place, so please assume that your time slot only lasts for the exact rental period: 10:00am-4:00pm or 5:00pm-9:00pm. These time slots include set-up and clean up!
- Press rental fees start when you physically begin using the press (inking the press or locking up the press bed), and continue until the press is cleaned and covered. We recommend mixing inks and cutting paper before you lock up the press bed to not incur press rental fees before you are ready to print. When you are ready to use the press, check in with the front desk to record your time. Total hours used must be recorded on the Studio Rental forms by an SFCB staff member. Once you start using the press, it is your responsiblity. Report any issues with the press immediately. You cannot allow anyone other than an SFCB staff member to assist you with press set up, printing or clean up.
Rental Costs
- As of March 1, 2022, ALL studio rentals at SFCB are $10.00 per hour during weekday rental times. Open Studio times are free.
- That includes bindery rental, press rental, platemaking rental, and cutting equipment rental.
- Plate material is $20.00 per 8.25” x 11.75” plate.
- SFCB carries both sticky back/Boxcar plates and steel back plate material.
- Payment: SFCB accepts credit card, cash, check, as payment for rental.
- Usage of bindery equipment requires a minimum of 1/2 hour rental.
Equipment available for rental at the San Francisco Center for the Book
In the Print studio:
- Six Vandercook proof presses
- Two C&P jobbing platen presses 10” x 15”
- Two C&P jobbing platen presses 8” x 12”
- Four 6” x10” tabletop platen presses
- 30” Kuttrimmer
- 26” tabletop Kuttrimmer
- 30" Challenge power guillotine paper cutter
- An A-3 photopolymer platemaker
- Many cases of wood and metal type
In the Bindery:
- Three board shears
- 30” manual Challenge guillotine
- 26” manual C&P guillotine
- Vagelli standing percussion press
- Four job backers
- Two French laying presses
- Many nipping presses (various sizes)
- Finishing presses, sewing frames, and all the standard hand tools needed for basic binding
(knives, awls, rulers, dividers, etc.)
Have other questions? Please feel free to email info@sfcb.org with any questions and we will be happy to answer them. We look forward to seeing you in the studio soon!