Letterpress and Book Arts Technician

Kingston University; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Kingston School of Art seeks a technically skilled technician to join the Printmaking, Letterpress and Book Arts Workshop on a fixed-term basis. You will work with colleagues to provide technical guidance to students in Letterpress and Book Arts, helping develop their project work and skills through inductions and one-to-one support.

You will help maintain a safe learning environment, contribute to smooth workshop operations, and collaborate with the Workshop Manager.

Qualifications

• Substantial practical experience in a Letterpress and/or Book Arts workshop (Letterpress/Book Arts).
• Strong practical and technical knowledge in processes, techniques and equipment.
• Experience facilitating teaching and learning in an educational setting advantageous.
• Commitment to health and safety in a workshop environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the Letterpress and Book Arts facilities, supporting students at varying levels.
• Provide inductions and one-to-one technical guidance to develop students' projects.
• Maintain a safe, well-organised learning environment and uphold health and safety policies.
• Collaborate with the Workshop Manager and colleagues to balance responsibilities.
• Encourage experimentation and creative development within the workshop.

Skills

Letterpress

Book Arts

Workshop techniques

Health and safety

Communication

Inductions and mentoring

Tools

Letterpress equipment

Risography

Screenprinting

Intaglio

Relief printmaking

Job description

Kingston School of Art is seeking a technically skilled and highly motivated individual to join our Printmaking, Letterpress, and Book Arts Workshop team on a fixed-term basis. Working collaboratively as part of a team of technicians, the postholder will work closely with technical and academic colleagues to provide technical support and guidance to students within the workshop. The role will focus on supporting the Letterpress and Book Arts facilities and will cover both areas. The initial balance of responsibilities will be determined by the successful candidate’s existing skills and experience. This balance may change throughout the duration of the post, in discussion with the Workshop Manager and according to the needs of the workshop. The role will involve supporting students at different levels of experience, helping them develop their project work and technical skills through inductions and one-to-one support, while encouraging experimentation and creative development.

The postholder will contribute to the smooth running of the workshop, maintaining a safe, supportive and well‑organised learning environment and upholding workshop health and safety policies.

We are looking for a creative individual with substantial practical experience in a Letterpress and/or Book Arts workshop. The ideal candidate will have strong practical and technical knowledge in one or both of these areas, together with a high level of competence in relevant processes, techniques and equipment. We welcome applications from candidates with stronger experience in either Letterpress or Book Arts. The successful candidate will be provided with training and support to develop skills across both areas as required. Experience of facilitating teaching and learning within an educational institution would be advantageous.

You will have an excellent understanding of health and safety considerations within a Letterpress and/or Book Arts workshop and will be committed to maintaining safe working practices and supporting a safe learning environment for all workshop users. Knowledge and experience of other printmaking processes, including Screenprinting, Intaglio, Relief, Monoprint and Risography, would be desirable. You will be confident working with students at different levels of experience and able to provide clear, patient and effective technical guidance. Excellent communication, organisational and time‑management skills, together with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, are important to the role. A student‑centred approach and a commitment to helping students develop their technical skills and produce work to a high standard will be essential.

You will be committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and engaging learning environment for all students, encouraging experimentation and creative development while contributing to the faculty’s ethos of ‘Thinking Through Making’.

Kingston School of Art (KSA) has a strong heritage. Since its origins in thelate 19th century it has established an exceptional reputation and become one of the UK’s leadingart and designeducational institutions.

The Faculty combines a dedication to creative risk-taking,innovation and experimentation with a commitmentto working with numerous local, national andglobal partners and collaborators to lead andshape the future of the creative and culturalindustries. As an Art Schoolwithin a university, KSA fuses the benefits of an art and design‑focused identitywith the ability to be at the forefront of excitingcross‑disciplinary developments in diverse areas such as health, business, engineering and the humanitiesand social sciences.

Ranked in the top five per cent of the world for art anddesign education by QS Top Universities, KSA produces globally celebrated alumni, high performing courses, impactful research performance and regularly achieves industry and student awards while engaging with the latest thinking from industry practitioners.

The Faculty works with leading brands and institutions forging exciting partnerships with organisationslike the ICA, the Design Museum and the BFI. More recently,the Faculty has expanded its international presencethrough partnerships with the Indian Institute ofArt and Design and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, America.

With a wide variety of disciplines taught within the Faculty, KSA offers opportunities for cross-disciplinarycollaboration in research and teaching -providing both exceptional choice for studentsand a stimulating environment for academics in the creative fields.

This is a fixed term position for up to 12 months, part‑time hours 0.6 FTE (22.2 hours per week). The starting salary is £20,404.20 (60% pro rata to £34,007 per annum). The position is expected to start in late January/ early February 2027.

This post is available to cover maternity leave and is expected to be held for the full duration. However, should the substantive post‑holder choose to return to work earlier, this appointment may be terminated, subject to a one‑month notice period.

Interviews are expected to be held on 11th November 2026.