UMD BookLab and the Plaintxt Press
@umdbooklab.bsky.social
Founded in 2018, BookLab is the University of Maryland English Department’s letterpress workshop, book arts studio, and bibliographic makerspace; and the Plaintxt Press is our imprint. Come visit in Tawes Hall 3248.
We make small language models.
We make small language models.
Today the MAKING WORDS students worked cooperatively on three different presses to print this 1935 Walter Benjamin quotation on a multi-layered background. They turned out awesome.
February 20, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Today the MAKING WORDS students worked cooperatively on three different presses to print this 1935 Walter Benjamin quotation on a multi-layered background. They turned out awesome.
LET’S GO
February 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
LET’S GO
NOX day (by Anne Carson) is always a favorite.
February 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
NOX day (by Anne Carson) is always a favorite.
ChatGPT as tactical media. A little bit of resistance printing today by @kmkraus.bsky.social . All handset type.
January 20, 2025 at 9:18 PM
ChatGPT as tactical media. A little bit of resistance printing today by @kmkraus.bsky.social . All handset type.
Some of the work on display yesterday at our Wayzgoose.
December 13, 2024 at 1:15 AM
Some of the work on display yesterday at our Wayzgoose.
One of our interns so dedicated they are OUT MAKING PAPER in this weather. (We all but forbade it.)
December 6, 2024 at 7:03 PM
One of our interns so dedicated they are OUT MAKING PAPER in this weather. (We all but forbade it.)
It’s that time of year again.
December 2, 2024 at 5:05 PM
It’s that time of year again.
First work on our new sign press (and a bit of an homage to its retail provenance).
December 1, 2024 at 8:56 PM
First work on our new sign press (and a bit of an homage to its retail provenance).
A certain slant of light . . . welcome to our newest addition, a Morgan Sign Company Line-o-Scribe with a 14x22” print bed, our largest yet. This particular press was used in a family-owned hardware store in Georgia until recently.
November 25, 2024 at 9:20 PM
A certain slant of light . . . welcome to our newest addition, a Morgan Sign Company Line-o-Scribe with a 14x22” print bed, our largest yet. This particular press was used in a family-owned hardware store in Georgia until recently.
Hello Bluesky! We’ve been parked here for a while but this account will be becoming more active.
Founded in 2018, we are the U. of Maryland English Dept.’s letterpress and makerspace for book arts. We like good trouble.
Follow us for updates; we would love to be included in your starter packs!
Founded in 2018, we are the U. of Maryland English Dept.’s letterpress and makerspace for book arts. We like good trouble.
Follow us for updates; we would love to be included in your starter packs!
November 13, 2024 at 4:18 PM
Hello Bluesky! We’ve been parked here for a while but this account will be becoming more active.
Founded in 2018, we are the U. of Maryland English Dept.’s letterpress and makerspace for book arts. We like good trouble.
Follow us for updates; we would love to be included in your starter packs!
Founded in 2018, we are the U. of Maryland English Dept.’s letterpress and makerspace for book arts. We like good trouble.
Follow us for updates; we would love to be included in your starter packs!
Open hours this semester! Wednesdays 12-2 and Thursdays 10-2. Tawes 3248.
February 9, 2024 at 12:34 AM
Open hours this semester! Wednesdays 12-2 and Thursdays 10-2. Tawes 3248.
Just a typical day in BookLab, with two generations of Drs. Chico sharing treasures of the centuries (and of Spain’s Rastro market). Thank you to everyone who turned out!
November 15, 2023 at 9:25 PM
Just a typical day in BookLab, with two generations of Drs. Chico sharing treasures of the centuries (and of Spain’s Rastro market). Thank you to everyone who turned out!
Happening Wednesday! A cabinet of curiosities and table talk. Free and open to all.
November 14, 2023 at 1:53 AM
Happening Wednesday! A cabinet of curiosities and table talk. Free and open to all.
We have cartonera! Cartonera are a tradition of Latin American bookmaking using found and recycled materials, especially cardboard that is then decorated for the cover. Thanks to Diana Proenza for educating us, and the great @titachico.bsky.social for finding us these samples in Chile!
October 26, 2023 at 4:19 PM
We have cartonera! Cartonera are a tradition of Latin American bookmaking using found and recycled materials, especially cardboard that is then decorated for the cover. Thanks to Diana Proenza for educating us, and the great @titachico.bsky.social for finding us these samples in Chile!
Join us next week for a nature print pop-up! Tuesday and Wednesday 12-2pm
September 19, 2023 at 3:46 PM
Join us next week for a nature print pop-up! Tuesday and Wednesday 12-2pm
Happy Type High Day! We love this poster from our friends at Davidson College Letterpress Lab. September 18 is like pi day for printers: the date corresponds to 0.918 inches, or the standardized height of a piece of type!
September 19, 2023 at 1:15 AM
Happy Type High Day! We love this poster from our friends at Davidson College Letterpress Lab. September 18 is like pi day for printers: the date corresponds to 0.918 inches, or the standardized height of a piece of type!
It’s hot, but we’re printing. And accessorized.
September 6, 2023 at 3:35 PM
It’s hot, but we’re printing. And accessorized.
Comes visit us this semester!
September 5, 2023 at 9:06 PM
Comes visit us this semester!