Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. printing + more

Printing Press Demonstration at John Rylands Library
For our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this weekend, we’ve got this fun family event at John Rylands Library. It’s a rare opportunity to see the library’s genuine 19th Century Britannia printing press – a fantastic piece of machinery and the hand-operated workhorse of the Victorian publishing industry – at work. A printmaker will be producing vivid, colourful images inspired by the library’s Alchemy of Colour exhibition, which runs until the end of August. There’s no need to book ahead, just stop by on Friday morning to see the printer in action.
Fri 13 Apr, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH. 11.15am – 11.45am, events.manchester.ac.uk

Manchester Print Fair at Manchester Cathedral
Staying on the subject of printing, it’s time again for the Manchester Print Fair, a semi-regular bazaar for all your riso, block and screen print needs, which this time has set up shop in Manchester Cathedral. Over 60 printmakers will be displaying their wares in the Cathedral’s cavernous space, and whether its monochrome line art, multi-layered colourful pieces or stylish typography layouts, there really is something for every taste. It’s not just full-size prints either, with many artists selling postcards and zines, allowing you take home something unique without breaking the bank.
Sat 14 Apr, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX. 10am – 4.30pm, www.manchesterprintfair.co.uk

City in Colour Exhibition Launch at Ziferblat (pictured)
Edge Street coffee shop Ziferblat launches this new exhibition on Sunday, featuring work by textile designer Stephanie Ross. Ross has taken inspiration from the city around her to create new designs for rugs, wall hangings and other soft furnishings. At this launch event, she will not just be displaying her work but creating new work live: She’ll be producing drawings for visitors on the day, so you can go down and get a one-of-a-kind picture. The best of these drawings will be recreated digitally and turned into textile art to be hung alongside previously-produced pieces in Ziferblat. The exhibition is free, but the way Ziferblat operates – where you pay for time rather than coffee consumed – means that you’ll have to pay up if you’re thinking of sticking around for a drink.
Sun 15 Apr, Ziferblat, Edge Street, 1st Floor, 23 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HW. 6pm – 9pm, Manchester, www.facebook.com