Directly after deinstalling her MFA Thesis exhibition installation, Liz Isakson-Dado jumped right into the next phase of her varied artistic career. Together with her artistic partner and and life collaborator, Jamiel Dado, they opened up Chicago’s newest letterpress print workshop, Tandem Felix.

Located in the Lacuna Lofts in Pilsen, they are excited about sharing the joys of hand=set type and inky fingers with their community. Liz and Jamiel teach the art of printing by hand on their antique 1920s Chandler & Price platen press and a mid-century Sign Press, which they moved from Flywheel Letterpress in Freeport, IL when the owner decided to close down and sell everything.

With over 100 wood and metal typefaces to choose from, Tandem Felix Letterpress is set to help newbie letterpress aficionados experience of creating something handmade, through workshops and private events. “We want our artist partners and new clients to immerse themselves in the creative process, from selecting from vintage type and ornaments, custom mixing ink colors, and printing by hand on these fantastic historic presses,” says Liz.

Their first Custom Coaster Printing Workshop was action-packed, as students unearthed treasures in Tandem Felix’s wood and metal cuts collections. Students tried out both metal and wood type to make their custom drink coasters, just in time for holiday fun. The creative atmosphere was energized with an eclectic DJ mix by Jamiel, who worked with vintage vinyl and reel-to-reel to keep things rocking as the presses rolled.

For more information on Tandem Felix, including their lino cut block, poster, and holiday card printing workshops, click here.