Q. Who are you? My name is Meredith Miller. I have been involved with bookbinding and letterpress printing for 25 years. In the mid 80′s, I studied printmaking and Bookarts in Philadelphia. I moved to Austin in 1991 to work for Booklab, specializing in restoration and artist’s bindings. After which I ran the letterpress lab for the University of Texas design department for ten years and concurrently was co-owner of Roto, a letterpress design business, from 1996-2002. In the summer of 2002, I began Punchpress. Punchpress has evolved from a commercial letterpress business to one that is solely used for teaching and personal research. I currently work as a photo editor with my husband, Bill McCullough. We share a studio devoted to photography, bookbinding, and letterpress in Austin, Texas.

Are you a good source to help find a used press for purchase? May I ask you questions pertaining to running a letterpress business? There are far more knowledgeable people who can help you with purchasing a press, and running a printshop. Here is a link that may be helpful: briar press.

Q. What does the pre-press, one hour, consultation period entail? This is time spent, through phone and email, with questions that may arise in getting your design ready for polymer plates; such as making sure the design is letterpress friendly, how to prep files, setting up a job to save money with plate cost, discussions about paper, etc.. Every print job is different.

Q. For the private workshop, do the four press hours have to be used consecutively? No. You may split them in half. That is two hours on two different days.

Q. May I schedule my private workshop on any day or time of the week? Yes, for the most part, however, I will have black out days. It’s good to book early to get on the calendar. I am happy to work with anyone after 5pm but generally no later than 9pm.

Q. So what if I really like printing on a letterpress but I don’t have one. You may rent mine or one at Slugfest for a small fee after you’ve completed one of my basic workshops.

Q. I don’t know if my project will fit within the time frame you offer for the private polymer workshop. What do you suggest? Send an email describing what you have in mind and I can customize the workshop.

Q. When you say “customize” does that mean it’s going to cost more? Yes, probably.

Q. What supplies should we bring? I’ll send a detailed list depending on which workshop you choose. But for the most part it will be rags to clean the press and paper needed for your print edition.

Q. What should we wear? Clothes you don’t mind getting ink stained and comfortable shoes.

Q. May I eat and drink in your studio? Yes, we have a small refrigerator if you’d like to bring food, beer or wine. Our studio is close to coffee shops, bars and food carts.

Q. May I bring friends? Sorry, no. The workshop time needs to be focused and fair to paying participants.

Q. What about cancellations? You may transfer your deposit to another Punchpress workshop.

Q: If I miss a day in the group workshop, may I make-up the time? You will be charged a small fee if you would like a make-up class or you may opt to make your print with reduced runs (2 colors / instead of 3).

Q. Where is your studio? It’s located in a separate building behind our central Austin house. We are in the Highlands neighborhood, north of Hyde Park and near the North Loop business district at 5312 Avenue F.

Q. What kind of solvents do you use? I use cooking oil, but with polymer plates I use mineral spirits. It’s a no to low fume environment.