'Moveable Type' takes old-fashioned printing on the road

As part of a nationwide tour, Power and Light Press, based in Portland, Ore., will bring its famous traveling printing press to Rochester Institute of Technology.

The printing road show, "Moveable Type: Cross Country Adventures in Printing," will appear at RIT's School of Print Media from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16.

The printing press, which is a converted 1982 Chevy Step Van complete with letterpress, will be parked in front of The Vignelli Center for Design Studies. There will be live demos and will give folks the opportunity to learn how to print the old-fashioned way.

"The art of typography and letter press lithography is being eclipsed by many new digital technologies," says Chris Bondy, administrative chair for RIT's School of Print Media. "Kyle Durrie brings these traditional printing methods to life here and across the nation with this fun and informative road show. It is a one-of-a-kind demonstration that provides a glimpse at the art and craft of traditional printing."

The visit is part of a 9-month tour that includes stops at schools, art spaces, city parks, music festivals, craft shows and parties all over the United States and Canada.

"I find printing to be such an empowering action, and it's also just really fun to do," says Kyle Durrie, owner of Power and Light Press. "I want to share it with other people. And letterpress printing especially has so much history and tradition behind it."