Printing Today at TU

In the 1970s and 1980s new technologies arose that made printing blocks obsolete, including Linotype, and eventually digital printing, but that does not mean letterpress and traditional printing blocks have been relegated to history. Relief printing blocks are still in studios around the world as artists and printmakers turn to classic printing techniques to create new works.

Towson University today is home to two Vandercook relief printing machines and a fully functional letterpress print shop hosted in the Center for the Arts. Art and design students at Towson are able to take classes in setting lead type, running letterpress machines, and using antique tools.

Printing block for the State Teachers College campus map.

Campus map of the State Teachers College at Towson, printed in Spring 2020.

Printing block of proposed campus expansion for Towson State College.

Map of proposed expansion to Towson State College, printed in Spring 2020.

Printing block of Stephen's Hall Tower.

Print of Stephen's Hall Tower, printed in Spring 2020.

Printing block of the Carrollton Ave. building that housed the Maryland State Normal School.

Image of the Maryland State Normal School Carrollton Ave. building, printed in Spring 2020.

In Spring 2020, students worked to re-print blocks in the Special Collections and University Archives Printing Block Collection, including the blocks seen above. While over 75 years old, many of these blocks still produce clean, clear, crisp images, shedding light on the history of Towson, and the history of print arts.

Unfortunatly due to COVID-19, completion of the Print Block Printing Project remains on hold, but when classes resume students will again be able to work with this collection, bringing these dull blocks new life.