As of 2020, the People Powered Press CIC was established as a separate non-profit organisation, set up to continue the original mission of the press — to amplify local voices and words worth spreading.

We’re incredibly proud that over 200 community groups and over 5000 participants have used the press in free or subsidised workshops since then.

The PPP works with community groups through writing and printing workshops, to create prints and murals, that are then displayed in the heart of the groups’ communities — outdoors and in.

A Guinness World Record!

On 15 April 2019, with the help of some friends, Split and JKN OilTools set a new Guinness World Record! The People Powered Press was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest letterpress printing press of its kind in the world.

This was never planned — we never even planned to build a press! What began as an attempt to create a ‘Northern Typeface’ got out of hand, led to the creation of the large steel letters of the typeface Graft, and well — then Ian at JKN decided he wanted to do a proper job…

Selected Works

Using the Brico system, designed by Split, the People Powered Press makes letterpress murals with community groups at a scale we don’t believe has ever been attempted with letterpress before.

We hope this does justice to, and draws attention to, the words of the groups the PPP works with, giving them a unique platform to have their voices heard.

Shown are some of the first murals created with groups at this scale, each measuring 1.5m high and 12m wide. The works went on display as part of Bradford’s successful bid to become Capital of Culture 2025.

In 2024 the People Powered Press was invited to participate in Saltaire Inspired’s annual Saltaire Arts Trail. Taking over the beautiful roof space of Salts Mill for a month, the PPP exhibited a collection of murals co-created with community groups from across the district of Bradford.

Some of these pieces were originally exhibited in 2022-2023 in Bradford City Park and in Salts Mill, and were recreated for the Saltaire Arts Trail. They were exhibited alongside two brand new works created in collaboration with members of Queer Saltaire and volunteer gardeners at Leeds Industrial Museum.

This exhibition marked the fifth anniversary of the creation in 2019 of Brico.

This mural was commissioned by Temple Newsam House in Leeds, and was inspired by Sir Arthur Ingram’s inscription around the roof of the house, which includes a prayer that “health and plenty be within this house.”

Inspired by the idea of ‘completing’ the inscription, the mural asks us to consider those not “within this house”, and to question if a history that includes all of our stories might lead to the discovery and creation of more complete perspectives of our collective past.

The People Powered Press collaborated with members of Leeds Stitch & Textile group, Space2’s People Poetry group and our own Friday Poetry group to compose and print the installation, and to create a free poetry zine and several fabric pieces in the rooms of the West Wing.

The mural was in place from March to October 2023.

This eight-part mural, featuring the largest letters ever made on the People Powered Press, was created in collaboration with eight different community groups from around the region.

It was exhibited in Bradford’s busy Kirkgate Shopping Centre from July 2023 to May 2024, when it was moved to Salts Mill for the Saltaire Arts Trail exhibition.

Graft

The first typeface made for the press — and indeed the reason the press exists — is named Graft, named in honour of the team at JKN OilTools who built the press. 

Designed by Split as part of These Northern Types the type is cut from solid steel at a massive 60em (720pt), accompanied by a set of giant feature numerals that come in at (frankly daft) 3480pt! 

The typeface is used regularly to make small(er) two- and three-sheet murals featuring poetry and creative writing of local groups, as well as drop-ins and private workshops at the Press, which are open to the public. Read the full project case study for Graft here.

Come and have a play — book your own workshop via the People Powered Press website here.

Work With the PPP

The People Powered Press has worked with a wide range of groups, charities, not-for-profits and individuals — from, and in, all kinds of communities, to amplify their voices and make prints using their own words.

If there’s a group you think would get a lot out of working with the People Powered Press get in touch via the People Powered Press website: thepeoplepoweredpress.org

Have a go!

The People Powered Press runs regular private workshops open to the public which are suitable to individuals, small groups — including families of all ages. No experience is necessary, and you’ll get to leave with your very own print made on a very special press.

Come have a play! Book your workshop and check out the other events on offer at thepeoplepoweredpress.org