Impressed:

Printmaking and Collage

An Online Masterclass

Do you love the look of letterpress printing but thought you needed expensive equipment and a dedicated studio space?

I've been there!

I fell in love with letterpress printing and typography, but I didn't want to be limited by traditional methods or expensive equipment. Over the years, I've developed techniques that let you create stunning letterpress-style prints and abstract collages using simple tools you probably already have—or can easily find.

That's why I created Impressed: Collage and Printmaking: to demonstrate how to combine non-traditional letterpress printing with collage techniques to create abstract art that celebrates the beauty of vintage papers and typography.

Perfect for Artists Who:

  • Want to learn letterpress printing

  • Love working with vintage papers, books, and ephemera

  • Are interested in collage and printmaking

  • Want to incorporate typography into their abstract art

  • Enjoy working on a gelli plate

$297.00
One time
A wooden sign with the word "SALE" in large black distressed letters, resting on a surface made of interlocking wooden tiles.
A green tray holding a lint roller, a wooden ruler, a ceramic dish with various colored pencils and a pen, and nearby ceramic containers with brushes and other tools.
Abstract collage with textured backgrounds, black semicircular shapes, green and white paper, handwritten text, and pointed triangular shapes.

This course is perfect for you if:

  • You're a beginner wanting to learn letterpress and collage from the ground up

  • You have graphic design experience and want to work more hands-on

  • You love typography and want to incorporate it into your art

  • You enjoy abstract composition and mixed media

  • You're interested in printmaking but don't have access to a traditional press

  • You want to learn from an experienced artist-teacher in a supportive environment

Prerequisites

None! This course welcomes beginners and experienced artists alike. If you have a gelli plate and basic art supplies, you're ready to start. If you don't, I'll guide you through exactly what you need.

Who is this course for?

What you’ll learn

A wooden box filled with old, worn books and booklets, some with torn covers and pages, stored on a shelf or surface.

  • Build confidence in abstract composition through a repeatable process that helps you make intentional design choices

  • Discover inspiring artists whose work with type and collage will inform your own creative practice

  • Source and curate vintage materials like a pro—knowing exactly which books, papers, and ephemera to choose and where to find them

Stack of printing blocks with various geometric patterns, including blue, green, black, and gray colors.

  • Create professional letterpress-style prints using my innovative method and affordable alternatives to expensive equipment.

  • Develop your own color palette using stencils, gelli plates, and acrylic paints to create unified collections of printed papers

  • Learn multiple mixed-media techniques to add typographical elements to your collage papers

Person using a brayer to roll black ink onto a piece of paper in an art studio.

  • Scale up your work from small studies to large panel pieces with proper sealing techniques that protect vintage papers from fading

  • Build a sustainable art practice that fits your life—with techniques you can do in short sessions, using materials you can find affordably, and methods that work whether you have a dedicated studio or a kitchen table. Work in sketchbooks, on paper and on panels- I’ll show you all your options.

  • Join a supportive Facebook community of artists who share your passion for typography, vintage materials, and abstract art

Materials You’ll Need

Don't worry! I designed this course to be accessible regardless of your budget. I'll show you methods ranging from free/found materials to more sophisticated equipment—you choose what works for you.

Includes a 20-page printable PDF of letterpress prints

You'll receive complete supply lists as part of the course, but here's what to expect:

Basic Supplies:

  • Gelli plate (if you already have one)

  • Acrylic paints (Golden Open and SoFlat recommended)

  • Brayers

  • Matte medium for collage

  • Vintage books and papers (I'll show you exactly where to find these!)

  • Watercolor paper and wooden panels for collage

  • Basic stencils

  • Wooden Type (use the included PDF of prints until you find your own)

$297.00
One time

From S.F.

“Sarah very generously shares her knowledge and experience, breaking down her own inspirations, techniques, and design sensibility into easily digestible chunks. It’s so fun trying out this approach to abstract art, discovering new shapes, compositions, and textures.”

A person in a grey striped sweater writing on paper with a blue pen, sitting at a wooden table with a mug, a notebook, and some papers.

But Can't I Just Figure This Out On My Own?

Here's what you're really investing in:

  • Years of trial and error distilled into clear, step-by-step lessons

  • A curated approach that saves you time and money on supplies

  • A community of supportive artists working alongside you

  • Professional finishing techniques that make your work gallery-ready

  • Immediate answers to your questions instead of frustrating dead-ends

I'm Sarah Z. Short, an abstract collage artist and printmaker based in Rhode Island. I've been teaching collage and letterpress techniques online and in person for years — at art centers and galleries across New England, and to students internationally through my online classes. I believe in teaching without gatekeeping: everything I know about working with vintage materials, printing with wooden type, and building an abstract collage practice is here, explained as clearly as I can manage.

You absolutely could.

You could spend months (or years) experimenting with different adhesives, only to have your papers bubble and wrinkle. You could buy expensive letterpress equipment before realizing there are simpler alternatives. You could waste countless hours watching random YouTube tutorials that don't quite fit together into a cohesive process.

Or you could learn from someone who has already made those mistakes, taught hundreds of students, and developed a proven system that works.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing glasses and a black sweater, smiling and standing next to a wooden post.

From D.G.

“Sarah holds nothing back- she gives of her expertise and skill so generously.”

Close-up of a person writing with a blue pen on paper at a desk, with a cup and a laptop in the background.

Ready to Transform Your Approach to Printmaking and Collage?

Imagine having a studio practice that combines the beauty of vintage materials with the satisfaction of printing and the creative freedom of abstract composition.

Picture yourself confidently selecting papers at estate sales, creating unified collections of printed works, and assembling sophisticated collages that honor both traditional letterpress aesthetics and contemporary abstract art.

That's exactly what this course will help you achieve.

Impressed: Printmaking and Collage
$297.00
One time
Person using a brush to apply adhesive onto a piece of abstract art with geometric shapes.

Course FAQ

  • The class has been prerecorded and is hosted on my website. Once you purchase the class, the content below will unlock. Anytime you wish to watch a lesson, return to this page and select a lesson. You’ll be prompted to enter your account information and the class will unlock. If you forget your password, follow the instructions to reset your account information.

  • You have lifetime access (or until I have to take it down)

  • See above!

  • There are over seven hours of video instruction spread over 35 lessons.

  • There is a private Facebook class so we can build a community for feedback, questions, and support.

  • I want you to be happy, so if you don't love the class, let me know within the first two weeks after you sign-up and I'll refund the full purchase price.

  • I have a limited number of discounted memberships and full scholarships available. Please send me an email for the details.

Once you purchase the class, the content below will unlock.

Anytime you wish to watch a lesson, use the “login” button at the top of the page.

If you forget your password, follow the instructions to reset your account information.

Impressed: Collage and Printmaking

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