Inside the Graphic Arts Building at Cal Poly, the Shakespeare Press Museum preserves a hands-on connection to the history of printing.
The museum houses 18 letterpress machines, some dating back more than a century. Many of the presses came from a private collection and remain fully operational, offering students, faculty and community members the opportunity to learn traditional printing techniques.
Surrounding the presses are cases filled with antique wood and metal type. Users set each letter by hand before inking the press and running their designs through the machine to create finished prints.
The space is maintained by student volunteers with support from a faculty advisor, allowing visitors to explore printing through direct, hands-on experience.
In an era dominated by digital design, the museum provides a physical connection to the craft of printmaking while continuing to serve as a learning space rooted in Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy.