Apprenticeship Programs

The non-profit Grabhorn Institute supports paid apprenticeship programs designed for those interested in long-term employment and not for a temporary or transitional experience. They provide training in the crafts of typography, letterpress printing, bookbinding, and type casting. Apprentices learn while working on book publishing projects, contract jobs, and type production for the two divisions.

PRINTING & BOOKBINDING : Arion Press, fine printers and publishers of deluxe limited edition books, offers training in typography, book design, letterpress printing, and bookbinding that will lead to long-term employment. Commitment is for a minimum two years of employment.

TYPECASTING & FOUNDRY WORK: M & H Type, the oldest and largest surviving type foundry in the United States, offers training in typography, typecasting, and Monotype composition that will lead to long-term employment. Commitment is for a minimum four years of employment: two years in apprentice status, followed by at least two years in journeyman status.

We wish we could accommodate all the talented and dedicated people who would like to come here to learn book making with us. Currently, we have two apprentices and two journeymen who have completed apprenticeships in the type foundry and two journeymen in the bindery who also completed apprenticeships. These people are also receiving training in the composing room and pressroom from a typographer/printer. We have a master typecaster and a master bookbinder, both part-time, who continue training in their departments. If you should come to San Francisco, we would be happy to meet you and show you the facility during one of our weekly public tours on Thursday afternoons at 3:00 by reservation. The charge is $7 per person.

The Grabhorn Institute does not offer internships.