Open Shapes of Print - A movement that aims to restore the value of analogue printing, through the Open Design approach, which takes shape in the design of Impresso, a contemporary printing press

Analogue printing is a process that originated from the encounter between art and technology, and its purpose lies in the impression and reproduction of images and words. At a time when paper is increasingly being marginalised in favour of digital media, it is necessary to shine a light on a medium characterised by a rich history and sensitivity. Only by making printing accessible to everyone is it possible to pass on tradition and know-how and transform them into a shared heritage for future generations. Open Shapes of Print was born in response to the perception that analogue printing is disappearing and aims to redesign existing machinery in the sector, which is often imposing and expensive, through the Open Design approach. The movement's mission is to bring attention back to analogue printing, enhancing its cultural significance while making it more accessible. Through the combination of digital and traditional technologies, the aim is to design devices that can be open and close to people, thus fostering the growth of a widespread community that begins in homes, consolidates in laboratories and reaches the school environment. This perspective inevitably leads to reflection on the role of the community, which requires systemic design capable of shifting the focus towards distributed value creation. This is the context for Impresso, a contemporary printing press that combines the main features of intaglio presses and proof presses. It was developed during the “Product Components” course at the Politecnico di Torino as an application of the Design by Components methodology developed by Luigi Bistagnino. The unique feature of the device is that it can perform different printing techniques with a single tool: from engraving to relief printing and typography. Impresso is designed both as a self-build device for experts and amateurs and as a kit for schools, with the aim of reintegrating the value of manual experience into the educational process. The press is therefore a pedagogical tool capable of conveying concepts such as the assembly and functioning of complex artefacts. A second version of Impresso takes shape in the thesis project, developed thanks to participation in national and international events and various educational workshops. The device has been implemented following feedback and functional requirements that improve the user experience, while the range of techniques that can be achieved has been expanded through experiments that demonstrate its extreme versatility. The Open Shapes of Print community has also been enriched with new contacts and collaborations, confirming the project as an evolving process rather than a point of arrival. Today, analogue printing has almost become an act of resistance. Open Shapes of Print, as a movement, and Impresso, as a device, aim to reduce the distance between the creative result and those who produce it, preserving and passing on the slow and imperfect material knowledge that defines analogue printing.