The Publishing Group
The Publishing Group (PG) is where the printing happens. Most Society members who are active printers are also members of the PG.
What Is The PG?
Every two months a group of Society members each submit an edition of identical prints to The Publishing Group (PG). These printed items may be postcards, poems, coasters, small booklets, a series of cards, small posters, calendars, quotes… anything printed. The majority of members are letterpress printers but you will also find examples of digital, litho, lino and even photocopy prints. In return every PG member gets an envelope stuffed full of all the prints submitted. (By the way, we call this bi-monthly bonanza THE BUNDLE and we call the prints that get sent in Bundle Items.)
We welcome new members. What will you print?
The PG Annual
In addition to contributing to the PG bundles, members can print page(s) for the Publishing Group Annual Small Printing. The deadline for contributions is 31 October each year and the bound annual is sent out to participating members in December. Some extra copies are also sold to raise funds for the group.
Each year PG members vote to choose the theme for the year – which is often very broadly interpreted, but the theme is optional and all contributions are welcome.
This year’s theme is: TBC
- A5 landscape/portrait
- 60 copies
- Deadline: 31 October 2025
The PG AGM & Awards
The Publishing Group holds its AGM during the BPS Spring Open Day. The PG officers are elected by the members present at the meeting. The officers are: PG chairman (co-ordinates the group), PG Councillor (liaises with the BPS Executive Committee), PG Mailer (sends out the bundles), and PG Treasurer. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.
There are two annual Publishing Group Awards. The PG Cup is awarded for the best publication during the previous year, and the PG Award is given for the best single leaf piece of print. These awards are judged by PG members in a vote, and are presented at the BPS Spring Open Day and AGM.
Why Join The PG?
For fun and friendship! The opening chapter of John Ryder’s book Printing for Pleasure (which could almost be the PG Handbook) advocates printing for pleasure over “profit-making drudgery” with the words: “far better to use your equipment as an instrument of design, to give your designs freely and to take friendship in return.”
Sharing our printing provides inspiration and the opportunity to learn new techniques from other members. Experimentation is actively encouraged.
The BPS Publishing Group motivates me to try new techniques. It's a source of inspiration and aspiration. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to hold, in my hands, real work from other printers.
Emma Hogbin, Princetown Press, BPS 11061
FAQ
Am I good enough to join the PG?
Yes! Don’t be afraid! If you are new to printing, joining the PG will make you print more often — the more you print the better you get.
Do I need to contribute to every bundle?
No. The minimum requirement is to contribute to two bundles a year, though many members print more than this.
What are the bundle deadlines?
15 January, 15 March, 15 May, 15 July, 15 September, 15 November. We also contribute to the PG Annual, and the deadline for that is 31 October.
What size should my contribution be?
Anything up to a maximum size of A5, or folded to A5. The exception is the mid-March bundle, which includes anything up to A4 (or folded to A4), giving members an opportunity to ‘go large’.
How many items do I need to produce?
Currently 54 copies for each bundle contribution.
How much does it cost to join?
The annual subscription is £10 to cover mailing costs. It rises to £15 from April 2025. You must be a member of the BPS before you can join the PG.
When will I need to renew?
After paying to join, the subscription renewal is due by 30 April of each year. If you choose the direct debit option your membership will renew automatically.
Anything else I should know about the bundle contributions?
Don’t forget to print your name / press name on the back of your bundle item, and maybe include a colophon. What’s a colophon? It explains the typefaces and paper you have used.
Although we welcome eclecticism, items promoting a religious or political viewpoint are discouraged, and may be excluded from a bundle.
Where should I send my bundle contributions?
Send them to the PG Mailer, whose postal address will be supplied when you join. The mailer sends the bundles out to all the members.
I have more questions not covered by this FAQ
Get in touch with the PG Chairman (pgchair@bpsnet.org.uk) who will be happy to help.
You can also contact the PG Mailer on pgmailer@bpsnet.org.uk who will be able to send you a sample PG bundle (BPS members only).