[1][2][3] It is curated by graphic designer Rob Saunders, who founded the museum with his private collection of "books, periodicals, maquettes, posters, and other ephemera" in 2014.

[2] In 2016, the Archive acquired over 200 wood type prints from local printer and typographer Jack Stauffacher.

[10][11] The Archive presented the “Without Type: The Dynamism of Handmade Letters” exhibit with the San Francisco Center for the Book from January 22 to April 3, 2016.

The custom-built, expanded space at the American Industrial Center complex provided, for the first time, an exhibition gallery where highlights from the collection are on display during regular open hours.

[13] The Archive publishes books about the material in its collection, including: the work of W. A. Dwiggins, as a full-length biography by Bruce Kennett in 2017;[14] the work of Jennifer Morla, written and designed by Morla in 2019; the prints of Jack Stauffacher, edited and designed by Chuck Byrne in 2020; and The Complete Commercial Artist compiling the 1928–1930 Japanese design publication.