Adventure Brief
Spend six hours with artist Susan Leen learning monoprint techniques, from brayer handling to chine-collé. Leave with original prints and studio skills you can use anywhere.
6 hours
easy
Family Friendly
No Experience Required
22 Feb • Ages 18+ • 6 hours • No previous experience required
Spend six hours with artist Susan Leen learning monoprint techniques, from brayer handling to chine-collé. Leave with original prints and studio skills you can use anywhere.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; studio-based, requires standing and light lifting of paper stacks
Wildlife
History
Printmaking and letterpress played a central role in Dublin’s literary and publishing culture; many local workshops celebrate that craft lineage.
Conservation
The studio favors acid-free papers and aims to use sustainable or low-VOC inks where possible; please minimize waste and return scrap paper for reuse.
National Print Museum
22 Feb • Ages 18+ • 6 hours • No previous experience required
The National Print Museum in Dublin preserves and presents the history and craft of printing for visitors of all ages. Located in Dublin, County Dublin, the museum offers guided tours, family activities, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations that showcase historic printing equipment and contemporary graphic design. Exhibits include working machines and archival material that illustrate the development of movable type and mechanical printing from Gutenberg-era influences to modern letterpress practice.
Visitors can join structured experiences such as a Family-Friendly Tour that lets children create printed posters and printer’s hats, a Guided Historical Tour that features an original 1916 Proclamation and printing demonstrations, and specialised workshops like letterpress Christmas card sessions for beginners. Monthly live demonstrations are conducted by retired printers who operate machines such as the Linotype and Wharfdale press, making complex processes accessible and engaging.
The museum also hosts illustrated talks and design-focused events, connecting historical printing techniques with Irish graphic design movements. On-site café service offers homemade food and refreshments for a comfortable visit. Educational programmes accommodate school groups and families, while workshops welcome adults seeking practical print skills.
As a dedicated cultural institution, the National Print Museum prioritises conservation, interpretation, and public engagement. Information is provided by experienced staff and volunteers, and activities are designed to be informative, hands-on, and safe. The museum’s combination of original artefacts, working machinery, and instructional experiences makes it a reliable destination for anyone interested in the history and practice of printing. Visit to explore prints, learn skills, and appreciate craftsmanship today.
Location
Dublin, County Dublin
Central print heritage site in Dublin
Family-Friendly
Family tours
Activities designed for children and families
Historic Presses
Linotype & Wharfdale
Working machines demonstrated live
On-site Café
Homemade delights
Refreshments during visits
Reserve a guided tour, sign up for a workshop, or attend a live demo to experience printing history firsthand in Dublin.
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Inks can stain—choose clothing you don’t mind marking or bring an apron to stay clean during long print pulls.
Bring sketch ideas
A few small sketches or reference photos speed the creative process and help you focus during hands-on time.
Allow drying time
Printed sheets often need time to dry; bring a lightweight portfolio to protect wet prints while traveling afterward.
Arrive early for setup
Arrive 10–15 minutes before the start to choose paper and settle into your workspace before demonstrations begin.
Old shirt or apron
Protect your clothes from pigment and solvents used in the studio.
Sketchbook and pencil
Bring quick sketches or composition ideas to translate into prints.
Nitrile gloves
Protect hands during ink mixing and cleanup if you prefer not to get ink on skin.
Lightweight portfolio folder
Carry and protect finished prints while traveling or during drying time.