Letterform Archive

What's On

Now

Oct

Nov

Type for All! Ten Years of Type West

Main Gallery show marking ten years of the Archive's Type West program: 260+ pieces of student work, from sketches and proofs to finished typefaces from 31 countries.

Now showing26 Sept – 15 Nov$10

Martin Venezky: Process Work

Reading Room pop-up of 50+ images by designer Martin Venezky, 1990 to now: taped collage assemblages and photographic experiments behind his ornate typographic work.

Now showing26 Sept – 8 Nov$10

Permanent Collections

Jan Tholenaar Collection

15,000 type specimens, books and ephemera from Dutch collector Jan Tholenaar, one of the largest type foundry ephemera holdings in the world. Seen on booked tours.

Permanent collection

Emigre Collection

Archive of the Berkeley foundry Emigre, donated in 2016: every catalog, the full Emigre magazine run and font development files from Zuzana Licko and Rudy VanderLans. Seen on booked tours.

Permanent collection

Linotype Master Drawings

Over 60,000 annotated pencil letter drawings from the British Linotype company, a record of the machine that set newspapers and magazines for nearly a century. Seen on booked tours.

Permanent collection

Piet Zwart Collection

200+ pieces of rare ephemera by the Dutch "typotekt" Piet Zwart, pioneer of experimental typography and photomontage, some from his personal archive. Seen on booked tours.

Permanent collection

Nearby

i

Minnesota Street Project

ArtFree7 min walk

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CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts

ArtFree15 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Letterform Archive cost?

Standard adult admission to Letterform Archive is $10. Free for everyone on Thursdays. $5 students, seniors, educators and visitors with disabilities; free for children 12 and under and members; $1 Museums for All (EBT). Tickets online or at the door.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Letterform Archive?

Letterform Archive is open Gallery open Thu 13:00-20:00 (free admission), Fri 11:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-18:00 (closed 13:30-14:00). Closed Mon-Wed and on public holidays, including Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026) and Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026). Enter under the glass awning at 2325 Third St and take the elevator to Floor 4R; after 18:00 or on Sundays, ring the call box.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Letterform Archive?

Letterform Archive is located at 2325 Third Street, Floor 4R, San Francisco, CA 94107, in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are 3rd St & 20th St (Muni Metro T Third Street) and 22nd Street (Caltrain).

What can I see at Letterform Archive?

Dogpatch archive of lettering, type and graphic design: 100,000+ items, rotating gallery shows and booked collection tours. Current highlights include Jan Tholenaar Collection, Emigre Collection and Type for All! Ten Years of Type West.

Do I need to book Letterform Archive in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Letterform Archive?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Is Letterform Archive accessible?

Step-free from street level via elevator to Floor 4R. Accessible gender-neutral restrooms. $5 admission for visitors with disabilities; carers enter free.