Printing Press Demonstrations

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall at the Folger Shakespeare Library hosts free Printing Press Demonstrations, offering visitors a live look at a replica of the kind of press that printed the First Folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays. The press, built by Alan May based on a description in Joseph Moxon’s 1683 printing manual *Mechanick Exercises on the Whole Art of Printing*, is displayed next to the Folger’s own collection of 82 First Folio copies. During each hour-long demonstration, guests may come and go freely and are encouraged to take home a printed copy of the work being produced, typically an opening from the First Folio.

When: Saturday, June 13, 2026, as part of the Folger’s monthly Second Saturday programming.

Showtimes: Two demonstrations: 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM.

Tickets: Free; no tickets required.

Duration: Each demonstration lasts one hour.

Venue: Shakespeare Exhibition Hall at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

About the Press: The press is a replica based on historical specifications from Joseph Moxon’s *Mechanick Exercises on the Whole Art of Printing* (1683), built by press builder Alan May.

Note: Visitors can come and go during the demonstrations and take home a copy of what is being printed, usually a page from the First Folio. The press is located near the Folger’s display of 82 copies of the First Folio.