Open Shop! A Day in the Life of a Letterpress Printer

Overview

Pull up the iron gate and hear the shout of "Open Shop!" – a nostalgic call that awakens 1970s Hong Kong. This guided tour and workshop, "Open Shop! A Day in the Life of a Letterpress Printer," invites you to step inside "Contemporary Print Art • Central" to experience the glorious era of Hong Kong's traditional printing industry.

Highlights

• Explore Curated Collections: Get up close with items generously donated by retired master printers. Gain a deep understanding of how a family-run printing shop operated during its heyday.
• Vintage Machinery Demonstration: Witness the rhythmic action of the iconic vintage Heidelberger Platen Press, and learn about the precision and mechanical beauty behind this classic machine.
• Hands-on Letterpress Experience: Beyond observation, you will participate in a hands-on workshop to print your own souvenir card. Feel the weight of history as you craft your piece using traditional techniques.

About Contemporary Print Art

This initiative traces back to 2014, when Master Lam On of the Wing On Printing Company on Aberdeen Street, Central, retired. He entrusted his life’s work—including printing presses, lead typefaces, and historical documents—to our care. Since then, preservation has become our mission. Through research, oral histories, and public workshops, we are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting this intangible cultural heritage.

Ticketing

Registration is required for this event. Please refer to the ticketing link for further details.