Pete Moore joined the John Martinson Honors College (JMHC) faculty seven years ago, eager to engage with students about his academic interests such as experimental art and unconventional forms of literature. When he arrived at Purdue, however, Moore noticed many students struggling to connect with these topics, especially individuals in STEM fields.

“I had to either make what I was doing interesting to them or shift what I was doing,” he said. “So, I decided to shift.”

This shift resulted in the creation of the PrintBay, an archive and studio that preserves historical printing presses while integrating modern technologies like laser cutters and 3D printers. As part of the JMHC’s PATTeRN research generator, the PrintBay’s mission is to restore old presses and types, marrying the tactile nature of traditional printing with current practices to offer students unique creative opportunities.

“In the PrintBay, students have the chance to engage with both historical artifacts and contemporary technologies, creating prints that reflect a blend of past and present,” shared Moore, a first-generation college student whose father worked in industrial printing for 45 years.

Growing up, Moore was involved in the mechanical side of printing as a summer job. After becoming an instructor at Purdue, he leaned into his early printing experiences to create a new vision for a vibrant learning environment. Moore heard about a printing press on campus that was not being used, saw an opportunity to revive it and helped facilitate a grant to restore the equipment with his students.

Immersive Learning at the PrintBay

Students who participate in the PrintBay find themselves immersed in a unique learning environment. Moore’s approach fosters a hands-on experience where students can explore and create with tactile materials, such as books, posters, flyers and ephemera, contrasting sharply with the often abstract nature of digital design.

“It’s so tangible,” Moore shared. “Most designers work in front of a computer all day. Here, you’re moving things around, collaborating; it’s a fulfilling way to work.”

Purdue student Jordan Doyle was a freshman in the Honors College when he received a callout email from Moore seeking students with technical backgrounds to help restore a historic press.

“I had a pretty hands-on background,” Doyle shared. “I built a 3D printer during COVID and was involved in various Eagle Scout projects. Even though I hadn’t worked on anything like this before, I was eager to take on the challenge of restoring a 100-year-old machine.”

The restoration project was extensive. Doyle and his peers disassembled the press, cleaned and painted its parts and reassembled it. They even built a stand to move the press with a pallet jack.

“It was an incredible experience working on such an old piece of equipment,” Doyle said. “The press was almost a historical artifact, and seeing it come back to life was fascinating.”

Purdue student David Lu had a similar perspective, sharing that he appreciates the PrintBay for its role in helping him develop artisanal skills.

“Although many classes involve hands-on work, there are significant portions of classes that focus only on theoretical aspects,” Lu said. “The PrintBay was a place where knowledge could be applied and tested; it’s real, raw, actual. There is often more to learn about a subject than its factoids; it’s about the feel of how to wield it. The PrintBay was quite the blend of both mind and matter in that regard.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of PrintBay and Student Collaborations

There are now four presses in the PrintBay, with another notable expansion on the way. This fall, Purdue students taking classes in Indianapolis will have an opportunity to collaborate on a poster with Purdue students taking classes in West Lafayette. The poster will be partially printed in one location and completed in another, symbolizing the union of the two campus locations and celebrating the launch of the Indianapolis location.

As a pilot to the fall project, the PrintBay partnered with Purdue Orientation Programs and Fusion Studio, supported by a Fusion Grant, on a poster initiative for Boiler Gold Rush participants. BGR participants were able to make a custom print with their hall team name as a personalized keepsake from Purdue’s 2024 welcome week, the largest in university history.

“The PrintBay is more than just a project,” Moore said. “The work we do here is implicitly curatorial. It’s a place where history and technology intersect, where students can connect with the past while innovating for the future. Through these collaborations and creative opportunities, we’re shaping a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment for students at Purdue.”

Campus partners are encouraged to get involved as well. Those interested in commissioning a custom print through the PrintBay can contact Moore, who is enthusiastic about collaborating on bespoke print projects and can guide individuals through the design and production process.