Revisiting the Academiae Aboensis Printing Press

A revitalisation and reinterpretation of the earliest printing types used in the first Finnish printing house, which existed from 1642-1827. Based on surviving books and copies from the printing house, the project will breathe new life into old printing practices.

Published Jun 2, 2023

The project received funding because of:

This project aims to create a font that has meaning for the local community and adds depth to new artistic works produced at the Letterpress House in Turku. Furthermore, the project is based on a special fact: the wooden fonts that came to Finland in the 16th and 17th centuries were often recycled types handed down from Swedish printers who had imported them from the continent. Their shortcomings have given rise to a specialized language in the local community.

The new typeface is based on historical books from the printing house and translates its expression to suit the modern needs of artistic book printing.

The applicant wrote about the project:

The project could have a major impact on graphic design and printing as a craft in the Nordic region. By developing old practices and adapting them to today’s artistic expressions and printing techniques, the relevance of the profession is strengthened in an otherwise highly digitalised world.