Artist Statement

Through letterpress printing my work explores the relationship between language, material, and personal connections. Grounded in the tactility of type and the rhythm of the press, I experiment with how to represent relationships and belonging through printed visuals. Each piece begins as an inquiry into the balance of structure and emotion, exploring both precision and play. I enjoy the tactile nature of printing and its direct link to history, using both traditional mark making methods, like movable type, and also more exploratory forms like relief printing with foam sheets and sandblast vinyl, and alternative image-making techniques such as pressure printing and offset brayer inking.

Bio:

Stephanie Carpenter is a letterpress printer, designer, and educator based in Wisconsin. Combining traditional techniques with a contemporary design sensibility, she creates prints, artist books, and installations. Her work examines language and connection through the physical act of printing and encourages reflection on how words and materials shape our shared experiences. With over twenty years of experience in graphic design and education, she continues to cultivate creative communities through teaching, collaboration, and the preservation of craft in a modern context.