In the Printmaking Studio & Letterpress Print Shop

At Hullabaloo Press students have access to 12+ presses and approximately 20 cabinets of wood and metal type, plus a variety of tools, materials, and supplies for their creative making. 

Ranging from tabletop proof presses to mechanized self-inking presses, each press offers a variety of process sizes and operation experiences. All students are trained to safely operate Hullabaloo’s presses. 

several students working in the printmaking studio

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Volunteering with World's Largest Collection of Type

Greyhounds spent five days as specialized volunteers at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, thanks to a Shaheen Service Learning/Community Engagement Grant.

Students hold large wood type pieces they cleaned at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum. Hullabaloo students outside the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum Students, faculty, and staff cleaning historic wood type at the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum Students and faculty in front of the Type Wall at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum Students and staff cleaning historic hand-carved poster blocks Students critique their prints made during the trip to the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum Print reads “I am not an early bird or a night owl. I am some form of permanently exhausted pigeon” Master Printer Jim Moran gives a tour to UIndy students, faculty, and staff. Kalia Daily, the first studio art student to graduate with a concentration in printmaking, on press Student holding up a print that reads “Ladies Let’s Get In Formation” and has 5 women mid-high kick Student showing a newly made print of a pink flamingo standing in a blue pool 4 smiling students standing next to shelves with boxes. Students cleaning and sorting historic wood type at the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum

Presses & Equipment

Inside the Hullabaloo Press Type Vault with flat file storage and equipment on shelves and pegboard “Elvis Pressley” the Poco Proof Press, on the left Studio Detail: Letterpress furniture and reglet (spacing material) “Diana Prints” the Vandercook, Universal II Power Press (center) in the Print Shop Studio Detail: Letterpress furniture and reglet (spacing material) The Hullabaloo Printmaking Studio & Letterpress Print Shop at the University of Indianapolis Pictured on the left - “Betty” Chandler & Price 12x18” New Style Platen Press Detail of “Diana Prints,” the Vandercook, Universal II Power Press, 1960 Close-up of “Elvis Pressley,” the Poco Proof Press during the Hullabaloo 2020 open house

Large Presses

Presses often have nicknames to match their unique qualities, origin stories, and affections of those who use them. Below you will find a list of presses found at Hullabaloo Press, their specifications, and nicknames:

  • “Diana Prints”
    • Vandercook, Universal II Power Press
    • 1960
    • Used primarily for relief and letterpress, this press was purchased in part from funds raised on UIndy Day 2017.
    • Weighs approximately 2,500 lbs.
  • “Betty”
    • Chandler & Price 12x18" New Style Platen Press
    • 1923
    • Used primarily for relief and letterpress, this is our movie star press. It can be seen in Pressing On: The Letterpress Film with previous owners and friends, The Red Door Press in Iowa.
    • Weighs just under 2,500 lbs.
  • “Dolly Printin”
    • Conrad Etching Press C-25
    • Used primarily for etching, relief, and monotype processes, this was the Hullabaloo Press original and predated its establishment.

Small & Table Top Presses

  • “Elvis Pressley”
    • Poco Proof Press
    • Used primarily for relief and letterpress, this was the first letterpress press purchased and implemented at UIndy.
  • “Pressilla”
    • 3x5" Kelsey Platen Press
    • Used primarily for relief and letterpress
  • “Balloo”
    • 12x24” Cylinder (Etching) Press
  • “Alva”
    • Showcard Proof Press 
  • “Cherry”*
    • (Large) Challenge Proof Press
  • “Tootie”*
    • “Showcard” Style Proof Press
  • “Peaty”*
    • Golding Platen Press
    • Named after the beloved friend of Hullabaloo Press David Peat. Mr. Peat is a long-time letterpress printer and collector from Indianapolis who we have been fortunate enough to collaborate with.
  • “Vandy, O”
    • Vandercook 0 Proof Press
    • Ca 1950-1957
  • “Big & Little Red”*
    • Experimental Test Presses
    • Made in Lincoln, Nebraska

 

We have an additional 4 presses undergoing restoration. Stay tuned!

* press is on loan from faculty

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