Onward...
Onward is an education center and micro book factory that serves enthusiasts, artists, and writers nationwide. We focus on experiential learning, and slow work that is tangible and beautiful, using a joyful mix of historic machinery and modern technology.
Onward runs programming and a small store throughout the year and accepts projects on a limited basis with long timelines. This allows us to perform best, source high quality materials, and move through the process with the intention artisans and authors deserve. Our studio often works collaboratively to create work we then promote and sell via a grounded and ethical joint-publishing model.
Onward is Queer-owned and operated by me, Zachary Lifton: you can learn more about my experience, ethos, and the story of how Onward came to be, here.
& Company
The "company" part of Onward is you, the community we engage with. Onward is an open studio; we host site visits, classes, and training in traditional print and book art practice using a collection of vintage equipment. Your company is welcome: Onward is anti-racist, trans-inclusive, spectrum-friendly, ADA compliant, and affirming of creativity that manifests in a myriad of ways.
Our production work often leads to partnering with artisans and designers to create or sell in tandem. This includes items we sell via our pop-up shop, Onward Stationers. Creatives: please reach out with collaborative ventures in mind.
Production | Advising
Services
Chapbooks, Exhibition Booklets, & Photo Lookbooks
For creatives who need something special. Our book factory focuses on simple book forms that are elevated by quality papers, hand touches, and amazing print quality. Ideal for galleries, design firms, and individual artisans or poets.
Onward takes on limited projects throughout the year in small batches: typically editions of 25 to 200. We are not a publisher but often create collaboratively with artisans/authors to both produce and sell their work.
We excel at premium, memorable objects requiring expert care to create one at a time. Please reach out to see if our studio-factory is the right fit for the project you have in mind.
Small Batch Print-Matter: Letterpress & Giclée
Speciality printing for letterpress and fine art work are offered in-house on a limited basis. Onward produces small runs of high quality broadsides, chapbook covers, giclée art prints, and premium photographs. All on specialty and custom-sourced papers. Services begin in early 2026: please reach out to discuss now.
Book Project Consults: Ideation through Production
Onward offers in-person and virtual advising on various aspects of book and print production. Our "design through bind" knowhow stems from eight years of assisting artisans on everything from digital layout to paper selection.
Consultations happen year-round and nation-wide. Even if your project cannot be produced at Onward in-house, we are here to assist in your process elsewhere. Project management and industry knowledge is our forte.
We encourage clients in the region to schedule time to visit: we have hundreds of paper, print, typography, and material sample books on site. Virtual consults are scheduled via phone or Zoom in order to review files and techniques live.
Education | Engagement
Public Programs
Workshops
Onward offers a rolling series of classes for the community. We focus on letterpress and simple bookbinding. Public programming is designed to be inclusive, introductory, and fun. Classes are offered for various age groups as well as specific safe-space workshops for the Queer community.
Advanced Courses & 1:1 Training
Longer-form courses and custom trainings are offered as requested. Advanced workshops involve multiple sessions to learn various techniques and tools. 1:1 training is a chance to learn the nuances of letterpress or bindery equipment operation during a set period, or for the scope of a specific project.
Tours and Group Visits
Onward offers guided experiences in our historic workshop which features traditional print and binding equipment nearly a century old. We work closely with the school system, tourism industry, higher education, and Girl Scouts merit badge program to customize each visit to meet your needs.
Host a print party with friends or an in-depth historic tour with your students. Our space is open for education year-round.
Factory Store: Pop-up Shop
Onward and Company is home to Onward Stationers, our line of quality notebooks, stationery, and vintage writing goods. We host semi-annual shopping events right at our studio-factory where we feature our products amongst those of our colleagues. Online store pending.
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