The Rampant Lions Press was a letterpress workshop based in Cambridge, England, run by Will and Sebastian Carter. With few exceptions, everything produced there was designed by the Carters. Many books (and almost all jobbing printing) were hand-set by them in metal type, the rest being set on a Monotype machine to their specification. Mostly mould-made and hand-made papers were used for books, and usually the papers were dampened for printing. Aside from pamphlet sewing, the binding was subcontracted to a small group of specialist workshops and, except in a few cases, carried out to the Carters’ design.

The Press was founded by Will Carter in the 1920s, and produced its first published book in 1936. It was a part-time enterprise until 1949. Over the following decades, the Press concentrated on well designed jobbing work and books, the books becoming increasingly ambitious. Will’s son Sebastian joined full-time in 1966, and the business became known worldwide for its craftsmanship and design skills. 

Sebastian retired in 2008 and the workshop was closed. Click here to see books that are still available.