The Assistant Printer role exists to provide support to the Robert Smail’s team in carrying out the day-to-day work to keep Smail’s as an operational jobbing Letterpress Printers today and for the future. The role includes the practical application, demonstration and communication of these unique, traditional skills to a visiting public whilst supporting the preservation of the craft of letterpress printing in the wider context of the conservation principles of the National Trust for Scotland.
Robert Smail’s Printing Works
Robert Smail’s is a 156-year-old Letterpress Printers, a living property and as such provides a compelling insight into one aspect of Scotland’s cultural, social and industrial heritage. It continues to add to the legacy left by three generations of the Smail family and contributes significantly to the town of Innerleithen, through the continuing functions of the business. It is one of only four industrial heritage sites held within the NTS and as such is an important part of the Trust’s portfolio, showing the organization’s commitment to conserving a diverse and varied sample of Scotland’s heritage. Its active visitor experience, and the people who deliver it, are the property’s greatest strength. The Property is currently open for tours four days per week during the visitor season (April until October). The tour is guided in three sections: Office, Caseroom and Machine Room of which the Assistant Printer takes an active role. The retail shop is also open in the run up to Christmas. Commercial printing work, an important income stream, is undertaken all year round. Workshops and conservation work are progressed during the closed season.
More information and an application form available here.