King Library Press, Brad Vetter combine analog and digital during Book Arts Weekend Nov. 14-15
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2025) — How do digital tools impact an analog process like letterpress printing, and how can letterpress printing speak to a digital world?
During the University of Kentucky King Library Press Fall 2025 Book Arts Weekend, designer and printer Brad Vetter will demonstrate the ways in which blending the old and the new can profoundly alter both. Along the way, Vetter will share his vision of unique letterpress creations that are more than a beautiful image — they are calls to action, slices of cultural ephemera or simple reminders of the good in the world.
All UK students, faculty and staff, along with the wider Lexington community, are invited to get a taste of the unique process of letterpress printing during a free public lecture and hands-on workshop, Nov. 14-15.
On Friday, Nov. 14, UK Libraries will present “A Revival of Sorts” free public lecture at the King Library’s Great Hall. Drawing on his unique creative process, Vetter will lecture on the means and methods, both personal and artistic, by which letterpress printing remains impactful in the 21st century. A catered reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with the lecture begining at 7 p.m. RSVPs are requested.
Lasers & Letterpress Collaborative Workshop
Vetter and the King Library Press will also host a workshop Nov. 15 that blends the antique and the state-of-the-art, giving participants the opportunity to create letterpress posters using hand-set type and laser-cut printing blocks.
The cost to attend the workshop is $45 per person ($25 for students). Workshop space is limited and requires reservation. To register for the workshop, fill out the RSVP form or call 859-257-1742. Doors for the event open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.
Brad Vetter is a Louisville-based designer and printer who seamlessly blends traditional letterpress with digital design. After honing his craft at the legendary Hatch Show Print, he founded Brad Vetter Design in 2012. His unique approach to design has caught the eye of major brands like Nike, Chevrolet and Bitter Southerner, as well as renowned musicians such as Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg and Death Cab for Cutie. He regularly travels to teach workshops across the country and hosts events at his studio/gallery Friend of Mine in Louisville. His work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions, and he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with letterpress in the 21st century.
Founded in 1956, the King Library Press is dedicated to carrying on the craft of producing books and broadsides by hand, from typesetting and printing to decorative paper design and book binding. One of the premier teaching presses in the country, the King Library Press is renowned for the artistry and craftsmanship of its products, which include dozens of books and hundreds of broadsides, keepsakes, and other ephemera, all printed on its numerous hand-operated presses.
As the premier research library in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, UK Libraries empowers lifelong learners to discover, create and connect by providing ever-expanding access to quality information and collaborating with academic and creative communities worldwide to advance knowledge, enhance scholarship and preserve the history and culture of the state. More information about UK Libraries can be found at libraries.uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.