18th Annual Los Angeles Printers Fair

If you have ever wanted to see a letterpress poster get made, or just own one that was, the Los Angeles Printers Fair is the weekend for it. The 18th annual edition takes over the International Printing Museum in Carson on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026. It is an easy pick when you are scanning the LA events this weekend lists for something a little more hands-on than the usual.

When: Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, 2026, 10 AM to 4 PM Where: International Printing Museum, Carson Price: Listed at $15 Ages: All ages

What to expect

The fair sits against the backdrop of what the museum describes as the world's largest collection of working antique presses. Around that machinery, more than 125 artistic vendors set up tables, and organizers count roughly 2,000 visitors each year. It reads less like a trade show and more like a very good craft market where everyone can tell you exactly how their piece was made.

Exhibitors include some of the strongest letterpress and printmaking artists in the Southwest and beyond. Expect custom posters, prints, hand-printed cards, memorabilia, handmade paper and antiquarian books, all for sale. That makes it a practical stop for holiday gifts that do not come from a big-box shelf, and a good one for anyone who collects ephemera or likes stationery with some texture.

Why it matters

Every dollar raised at the fair goes to the International Printing Museum, a non-profit dedicated to the heritage, preservation and advancement of the printing arts. So the cover charge and the purchases both support the people keeping those old presses running. Few of the things to do in Los Angeles this month can say the money goes back into keeping a craft alive.

Planning your visit

The fair runs both days from 10 AM to 4 PM, so the early hours are the best time to browse before the popular tables thin out. Admission is listed at $15, and the listing marks the event as open to all ages, which suits families with curious kids who want to watch a press in action. Details can change, so confirm times and admission with the museum before you go.

Carson is south of downtown, so plan on driving or arranging a ride share, and bring a tote bag for the paper goods you will almost certainly buy. Cash is handy for small vendors, though many exhibitors take cards.

If you are building out the weekend, browse the rest of our arts and culture events for more to pair with a morning among the presses.