In a city where "making things" usually means pushing code to a GitHub repo, there's a quiet little rebellion happening — and it involves ink, wood blocks, and zero screens.

Block printing and printmaking workshops are popping up across San Francisco, with spots like 54 Mint hosting well-attended sessions that get people off their laptops and into the deeply satisfying world of carving designs and pressing them onto paper by hand. No subscription required. No app to download. Just you, a brayer, and some ink under your fingernails.

We'll be the first to admit this isn't our usual beat. We're typically here to tell you about city hall burning through your tax dollars or BART delays that somehow defy the laws of physics. But here's the thing: this trend is worth paying attention to precisely because it's the opposite of everything San Francisco's economy has become.

For years, the narrative around SF has been that the city exists to serve the tech industry. And look — we love the free market, and we love innovation. But a healthy city has a diverse creative economy, and workshops like these represent small-scale entrepreneurship at its finest. Individual artists and small studio owners teaching skills, charging fair prices, and creating community without a single dollar of government subsidy. That's how it should work.

The workshops typically run a couple of hours and are beginner-friendly, meaning you don't need an MFA to walk in the door. Prices vary, but they're generally in the $50-$90 range — not cheap, but you leave with an actual, physical thing you made. Try saying that about your last $80 DoorDash weekend.

If you've been feeling the screen fatigue that basically every San Franciscan carries around like a second phone, this might be worth a look. Support a local maker, learn a centuries-old craft, and remind yourself that the best things in life don't need a Wi-Fi connection.