Det Gamle Trykkeri (The Old Print Shop), Nakskov

A living workshop of ink and type in central Nakskov

Det Gamle Trykkeri sits on a quiet street in Nakskov’s center, yet stepping through the door feels like entering a different era of communication. The compact rooms are packed with hulking printing presses, wooden cases of lead type and well-worn tools, all arranged as if the printers have just stepped out for a quick break. Rather than a static display, the space functions as a working shop where traditional methods are still used to produce small runs of printed items. The museum grew out of a desire to preserve the town’s printing heritage, and many of the machines on show once served local businesses and associations. Today, visitors can trace the journey from handset type to finished sheet, gaining a close-up look at a craft that shaped everything from posters and business cards to local notices.

From metal letters to finished pages

One of the most engaging aspects of Det Gamle Trykkeri is how clearly it explains the step-by-step process behind letterpress printing. Drawers slide open to reveal neatly sorted metal letters, punctuation and special characters, each tiny piece designed to be assembled by hand into lines of text. Composing sticks, inking rollers and composing tables show how painstaking that task once was. Nearby, large printing presses stand ready to be operated, their levers, wheels and heavy platens demonstrating the sheer mechanical force needed to transfer ink to paper. When the machines run, the rhythmic clank and whir fill the room, giving a vivid sense of the physical effort behind every sheet that left the shop over the decades.

Local stories on every printed sheet

Beyond the machinery, the museum highlights how printing helped knit together everyday life in Nakskov. Displays of posters, letterheads and pamphlets reveal familiar place names, businesses and events, offering small windows into the town’s social history. Particularly charming are the locally inspired publications and seasonal pieces that are still produced here on the old presses. A well-loved tradition is the printing of the classic Christmas almond-gift certificate, used in connection with the Danish holiday dessert risalamande. These small, beautifully set cards show how the historic equipment continues to serve a modern purpose, bridging generations through both craft and custom.

Close-up encounters with craft and technique

The intimate scale of Det Gamle Trykkeri invites slow exploration. Visitors can study the detailed engineering of each press, compare different typefaces and see how layout and spacing influence the look of a page. With everything at arm’s length, it becomes easy to understand why the printer’s trade demanded accuracy, patience and a good eye for design. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers often demonstrate the machines, answering questions about how long it took to set a page, how color was managed and how errors were corrected. Their explanations turn what might seem like obscure technology into a surprisingly accessible and tactile story.

A compact museum with deep appeal for the curious

Although the museum occupies only a modest footprint, it can absorb attention for far longer than its size suggests. History enthusiasts find links to broader themes of industrialization and communication, while designers and typography fans are drawn to the physicality of type and print. Children are often fascinated by the moving parts and the clear cause-and-effect between the operator’s actions and the printed page. Det Gamle Trykkeri is also part of a small network of working museums in Nakskov that preserve traditional crafts, making it a natural stop on a cultural wander through town. Its central location on Jernbanegade and clearly defined opening hours mean it fits easily into a half-day of exploration, whether as a focused visit or a rewarding detour between other sights.

Planning your visit to this working museum

Opening hours vary across the week and are typically limited to specific mornings, so it is worth checking current times in advance, especially outside the main season. Visits are usually short and flexible, allowing time to watch demonstrations, ask questions and study the details that most interest you. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, with an emphasis on direct encounters with heritage rather than large-scale exhibitions. With its combination of historic machinery, local stories and a still-active workshop, Det Gamle Trykkeri offers a distinctive glimpse of how words and images were once brought to life on paper in this corner of Denmark.