Printing Museum

The Printing Museum in the Cultural Centre’s Museums

... is, as far as its collection is concerned, still in its early stages. Initiated by print tradesmen from Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, an impressive collection of typesetting and printing equipment began to emerge in the mid-1970s.

On an area of around 600 sqm, the Printing Museum presents the fast-paced technological and social-historical development of the last 200 years, ranging from Gutenberg’s hand typesetting with angled hooks, toggle and proofing presses to machine typesetting with typography and linotype, up to the photo and computer typesetting of modern times. In addition to typesetting, image processing using repro-photography and scanner technology are also part of the exhibit.

The letterpress machines in the adjoining machine room – including the Heidelberg Tiegel press and Frankenthal’s rapid press – are all in good working condition and constantly put to the test during repeated printing demonstrations. The undisputed star among the iron giants is a circular-motion press built in Würzburg by Koenig & Bauer in 1879 which, beyond all else, is simply a beautiful machine.

Finally, there is a bookbindery and a small separate exhibition on offset printing, which will be of interest to both laypersons and industry professionals. Outside of the regularly conducted print demonstrations, museum visitors can use the individual information kiosks to discover for themselves how the equipment featured in the exhibitions works.

We are looking forward to your visit!