Branches and Publishing Group
Branches
Branches are the local face of the Society. While membership of a Branch is by no means mandatory, members are encouraged to join a local Branch if there is one close to them. If there is none, they may consider forming a new Branch. All Branch meetings are open to all members of the Society. Members get together usually, once a month, and discuss or try a particular printing topic, chat about most aspects of printing and generally give each other help and encouragement. Often instead of holding a meeting, members will organise outside visits of interest to printers, for example to commercial printers, papermaking facilities, together with the occasional social events (e.g. Annual Dinner for members and their partners). Some Branches hold annual Open Days where items of printing and equipment are sold. Further details of Branches are provided to members on joining the Society.
Many of the Branches have their own web page - their contents are determined by the Branch and any comment should be made to the contact shown on the appropriate page.We list below Society Branches that have provided information for the British Printing Society web site:
Dorset Branch - for details click Dorset
Essex and East London Branch - for details, click Essex/E. London
Kent Branch - for details, click Kent
Lincolnshire and District Branch - for details, click Lincoln
London Branch - for details, click London
Maidenhead (and Thames Valley) Branch - for details, click Maidenhead
Surrey and Sussex Branch - for details, click Surrey
Scottish Branch - further details are currently not available for this newly formed branch.
Publishing Group
The Publishing Group (PG) consists of Society members who delight in printing and publishing short runs, purely for the pleasure of it, to an audience of similarly minded members. The PG circulates its own monthly bundle to each group member. Printed items will vary from a single sheet or a small card to small booklets and, occasionally, limited edition books. Members are expected to submit at least two bundle items per year. The Prospectus of the PG may be accessed by clicking PG Prospectus.
Unlike Branches, which cover a local geographical area, the PG membership covers the whole of Britain and normally only meet at 
their own AGM. This is held at the same weekend as the Society AGM where it elects a PG Councillor (who sits on the Society Executive Committee), a PG Chairman (who is responsible for co-ordinating administrative matters of the Group), a Treasurer (who is normally the same person who is the Society Treasurer), and a Mailer (a key role in the Group). The Chairman publishes a monthly Newsletter which contains general matter of interest to the Group and reviews of each Bundle item.
Once a year members contribute pages on a subject previously agreed by the group members. The pages are assembled and bound as a book called 'Small Printing'. Each contributing member receives a copy and the remaining copies are sold; many have become collectors’ items.
The only qualification required for new members joining is a genuine enthusiasm to participate proved initially by submitting samples of two items with the application form. New members are welcome and are required to distribute a 'Prop Card', giving simple details of their press name, equipment and interests before joining and all members of the Group are expected to contribute at least two items per year. There is a small extra subscription, currently £7.00 per annum, which covers additional postal costs for the Newsletter and the Bundle of items submitted to the Publishing Group. The prospectus (see first paragraph above) includes the text of the Membership Form and further Information is available from the Group Chairman, Arthur Baker, click Email PG Chairman or telephone him on 0161 440 8746.