In collaboration with The St. Louis Mercantile Library at UMSL,
The Printery Book Arts Lab furthers our mission of preserving letterpress printing.

Through this collaboration, The St. Louis Mercantile Library has acquired The Printery,
one of the most revered modern American private press studios. Central Print operates The Printery Book Arts Lab,
on Central Print’s premises, to preserve and make available for use this high-quality letterpress equipment and type inventory.

The Printery, founded by professional book designer
Kay Michael Kramer in 1970, is an award-winning private press that produced incredibly beautiful books and broadsides in St. Louis. The joint plan of Central Print and the Mercantile Library to preserve The Printery permits its continued use in keeping with Kay’s high standards and traditions in the book arts.

We have recreated the press in its original configuration
at Central Print. Printers have the opportunity to use the pristine equipment and extensive type collection during programs, and as Book Arts Residents.

Donations to Central Print in honor of Kay Michael Kramer will preserve, maintain, and facilitate use of The Printery Book Arts Lab at Central Print.