Robert Smail's Printing Works NTS

06/06/2026

Do you write letters and cards by hand? Letterpress and writing stationery are a perfect match...

Our note postcards and writing stationery are printed using our original Victorian and Edwardian type and image blocks. The postcards are recycled card and envelopes, and the writing stationery is 30% cotton wove paper. Both are packaged in plastic free packaging.

Our shop on the high street in Innerleithen is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10.30am - 5pm.

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25/05/2026

*DATE CHANGED - now 5th September 2026*

Learn how to create an expressive linocut print inspired by wildlife local to Innerleithen and the Mill Lade

Suitable for beginners
Learn how to create graphic linocuts inspired by wildlife local to Innerleithen and the Mill Lade in multiple colours using our hand presses.
Create a background colour or texture using wooden letterpress type to layer under your creature.

Ages 14+
£65/ person
10am - 4pm
All materials provided

We will use our letterpress type to create a background tint or texture. We will then print your animal-themed linocut blocks on top. This workshop will focus on the white-line style, where bold and simple designs are created by cutting around and into a solid silhouette.

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Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
July-August: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March

Learn how to create an expressive linocut print inspired by wildlife local to Innerleithen and the Mill Lade

18/05/2026

Join us on the 30th May to learn how to make a book using the Japanese Side Stitch technique.

This method uses individual sheets of paper rather than folded signatures and so is a useful way to bind found papers and drawings. We have a range of decorated papers and coloured threads to make decorative bindings.

Please book via Eventbrite: https://linktr.ee/smailsnts

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Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March

17/05/2026

⭐ Workshop: Free-form letterpress and linocut - wildlife prints. 5th September 2026 ⭐

Learn how to create an expressive linocut print inspired by wildlife local to Innerleithen and the Mill Lade

Suitable for beginners
Learn how to create graphic linocuts inspired by wildlife local to Innerleithen and the Mill Lade in multiple colours using our hand presses.
Create a background colour or texture using wooden letterpress type to layer under your creature.

Ages 14+
£65/ person
10am - 4pm
All materials provided

We will use our letterpress type to create a background tint or texture. We will then print your animal-themed linocut blocks on top. This workshop will focus on the white-line style, where bold and simple designs are created by cutting around and into a solid silhouette.

Find the booking link here: https://linktr.ee/smailsnts

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Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
July-August: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March

16/05/2026

⭐ Beginners' Calligraphy Workshop ⭐

An introduction to beautiful writing with professional calligrapher Garry Millie.

Saturday 18th July 2026 10.00-15.00.
£65
No prior experience necessary.
All materials will be provided, and the Smail's stationers shop will be open for further writing equipment to take home if you wish.
Restricted to 6 places - so book now!

An introduction to beautiful writing with professional calligrapher Garry Millie.

11/05/2026

TALK: Smail’s 1877 Specimen Book: Type, Typography and Graphic Design in the 19th Century

Learn how type was designed, made and used in the 19th century jobbing press, with examples from the archives at Robert Smail's

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Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March

Learn how type was designed, made and used in the 19th century jobbing press, with examples from the archives at Robert Smail's

09/05/2026

⭐ Bookbinding Workshop: Japanese side stich ⭐

This 1-day course will teach you how to make a stitched pamphlet and a Japanese side-stitched binding with a decorative paper cover.

All materials provided
Ages 12+
10am - 4pm
£65 per person

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This 1-day course will teach you how to make a stitched pamphlet and a Japanese side-stitched binding with a decorative paper cover.

04/05/2026

⭐Evening Talk: Smail’s 1877 Specimen Book: Type, Typography and Graphic Design in the 19th Century

⭐12th June 2026, 7pm - 8ish pm

This evening talk will draw on the Smail’s archive to discuss how letterpress type was designed, made and used up to 1900. We will also look at the archival guard book in more detail and discover what type faces and graphic design styles were used in the early years of letterpress printing in Innerleithen.

Smail’s was established in 1866, and has now been printing in Innerleithen for 160 years. The printing works served the local textiles mills as well as other businesses, the St Ronan’s Border games, and local people.

The guard books are 52 large volumes containing one copy of every job printed between 1877 and 1954. This is the first of two talks that will dip into this substantial archive at Smail's.

Concessions include: over 60s, students, low income or recipients of universal credit

Book at https://1877smails.eventbrite.co.uk

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Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March

27/04/2026

You can find all of our upcoming events, and info about Smail's and our guided tours at this link!

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Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March

Linktree. Make your link do more.

26/04/2026

Beginners' Calligraphy Workshop - 18th July 2026

An introduction to beautiful writing with professional calligrapher Garry Millie.

✒️ Saturday 18th July 2026 10.00-15.00.
✒️ £65
✒️ No prior experience necessary.
✒️ All materials will be provided, and the Smail's stationers shop will be open for further writing equipment to take home if you wish.
✒️ Restricted to 6 places - so book now!

Booking 👉 https://calligraphyjuly.eventbrite.co.uk

__________________________

Access to the printing works is by guided tour only:
April-June: 11am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm Mondays and Thursdays
Pre-booking advised

Shop: 10.30am – 5pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat from 2nd March