PRINT HERITAGE
A Family History in Print
Print has been part of my family for generations. Long before I established my own practice, my family worked across Edinburgh’s printing industry — as lithographers, printers, press room heads and bookbinders.
Above: Transcolour Litho print room, James Henderson Centre, The Citadel, Leith, Edinburgh, c.1980s—family archive.
Nelsons Print Works circa 1960’s from top to bottom James Guthrie Henderson at his Desk, below James and his Journeyman (name) in the (room) developing (film?)
From Concept to Creation
My father trained as a lithographer at Thomas Nelson & Sons in Edinburgh after leaving the Army, beginning a career in print that would span decades. He later went into partnership with colleagues to establish Transcolour Litho, initially based at The Citadel in Leith before moving to South Gyle.
Growing up, print was simply part of my world. When I was at primary school, I would go with my dad to Transcolour on Saturdays while he caught up with work. I remember wandering around the workshop amongst the machinery, light tables and equipment, fascinated by a place that seemed enormous to me then. More than anything, I remember the smell of the print room and the feeling of arriving at a quiet workshop, switching on the lights and beginning the day's work.
Years later, I still get that same little thrill when I switch on the lights in my own Edinburgh print studio.