The city of Meppel has traditionally been a trading city and transhipment place, where mainly many skippers settled, who found their existence in peat shipping. The favorable location on many waterways created a lively trade, which in turn ensured that people with other professions and companies settled here.  

In 1695, Jan Lensink, then still called Jan Bookbinder, from Amsterdam, settled here. On March 20, 1714, he was officially appointed by the Knighthood as Landscape Printer: the first 'government printer' in Drenthe and Meppel. He was also a supplier of writing supplies such as ink, pens, writing paper and red and black sealing wax.  

In his footsteps, many small and large printing works were established in Meppel over time. In the second half of the twentieth century, about 750 people in Meppel found work in this sector.   On May 22, 1986, the museum was officially opened under the name "Graphic Museum Drenthe" and the Royal Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands became the museum's patron. During a visit to the museum on October 6, 1986, the prince wrote the following text: “With my best wishes for this museum that is truly beautiful. I am happy to be a Patron! ”  

The old warehouse in which our museum is located was purchased with funds from employees of the printing companies in Meppel, they donated overtime to the museum and these were doubled by their employers.  

In 1995 the name was renamed Printingmuseum Meppel. This title is more in line with the museum's objective, which is to provide insight into the rich history of writing, printing and graphic techniques.