Double Trip Press letterpress workshop opens in Chicago's Lincoln Square

Double Trip Press, a letterpress studio in Chicago's Lincoln Square district, has opened a new 1,000 sq ft space designed by Danielle Beaulieu of Lieu architectural studio in collaboration with owner Ryan Basille. The studio houses a vintage Vandercook & Sons printing press, originally built by a local company now known as NA Graphics in Colorado. The design emphasizes tactile materials like dark-stained Douglas fir shelving, cork walls, and polished concrete floors, reflecting the handmade nature of letterpress printing. Mobile bespoke tables serve storage and inking needs, while a shelving system inspired by 'sorts' (wooden drawers for metal typefaces) displays printing ephemera. The open-plan layout places machinery near the front for natural light and public visibility. Budget constraints led to creative use of off-the-shelf components, such as kitchen cabinetry. The space includes a back-of-house area with storage, kitchenette, airbrushing space, and bathroom. Double Trip Press continues to operate vintage Vandercook presses, maintaining Chicago's printing heritage.