Studio Access Training: Nu-Arc Platemaker

This authorization will cover the basics of operating the Nu-Arc Platemaker for a variety of printmaking purposes such letterpress polymer plates, cyanotypes, and photo intaglio plates. We will review our guidelines for setting the exposure time, initiating a strong vacuum, safely releasing the vacuum, and using krene film to increase the quality of the contact between the film and the plate. We will also address how to politely share the darkroom with screen printers, plate and film resale, and tools available for check-out.

In addition to reviewing the functions of the exposure unit, we will review the basics of a variety of processes that rely on the machine (cyanotypes, photo intaglio, and/or letterpress polymer plates). Skills to be reviewed, based on the interests of those attending the workshop, include coating paper with cyanotype chemicals, printing inkjet film negatives and positives, pre-exposing plates, using aquatint screens, and washing out exposed plates.

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are currently offering private trainings that are part online / part in-person. More Details

Studio Access Training: Intaglio

This authorization will cover the intaglio processes and skills that are most essential for printers to be able to make and print intaglio plates. The workshop will review a variety of techniques used by intaglio artists with a focus on personal safety, care and maintenance of tools and supplies, and best practices for working with intaglio printing at Spudnik Press Cooperative. This hands-on workshop will include discussions, demos, and hands-on projects that will allow staff to assess each participant’s experience level.

The workshop will include plate prep, grounds, etching with a vertical ferric chloride bath, setting up our presses, paper soaking, inking and printing plates, cleaning, and finally, flattening prints.

Participants must be independent with the full intaglio process, from plate prep to printing. However, we understand that each studio has different equipment and welcome people who have yet to use an airbrush or Akua hard ground for aquatint or a vertical bath for etching. While participants should not expect to make substantial progress on any project; they are welcome to bring a plate to work with or to seek feedback and guidance on.

*For those wishing to print photo plates, this workshop can provide authorization to use our press. The Nu-Arc Authorization should also be completed to address platemaking.

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are currently offering private trainings that are part online / part in-person. More Details

Private Studio Access Trainings

The first step to printing at Spudnik Press Cooperative is to attend a Studio Access Training to become authorized for the equipment or area of the studio they would like to use.

Studio Authorization Sessions ensure that all makers are able to confidently use equipment in our studios and follow our procedures and guidelines.

These sessions are not lessons: they are for makers who already have satisfactory knowledge of their craft.

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are temporarily offering partially online trainings:

Part 1: Online via Zoom

• General orientation to our mission and programs
• Overview of skill checklist; Review prior experience in area(s) seeking authorization
• General Q&A to help minimize contact during “Part 2”
• Determine work plan for “Part 2” to allow adequate assessment of skills

Part 2: On Site

• Individual studio tour
• Safety demonstrations
• Review of any process or skills that could not be addressed through zoom
• Brief period to work in the studio with staff on hand for support
• Review skill checklist and confirm authorization.

Available Studio Access Trainings: $50

• Intaglio
• Letterpress
• Nu-Arc Platemaker
• Papermaking
• Post-Production Tools
• Relief/Monoprinting
• Risography
• Screenprinting

If during Part 1, it is determined that the participant does not have enough experience to become authorized, they will receive a $25 credit towards a private lesson.

Email info@spudnikpress.org to coordinate a private training. Please include in the email:

• What equipment or area of the studio you would like to be authorized for
• Availability: days, evenings, weekends, etc.

Trainings are typically scheduled at least one week in advance. Instead of enrolling through our website, an online invoice will be sent once Part 1 of the training is confirmed.

Private Lessons: Gap Lessons

“Gap Lessons” are designed to support people transitioning from taking classes to using our Open Studio program, and to offer efficient and focused one-on-one support for people embarking on new projects or who need help working through a particular printing issue.

Taught by our in-house staff of skilled printers/artists, these one-hour lessons can help fill in any gaps that have held you back from getting the most out of your time at the studio.

Lessons are often scheduled preceding an Open Studio session to allow students to work with staff for an hour before their full studio session.

Email info@spudnikpress.org to schedule a lesson. Lessons are typically scheduled at least one-two weeks in advance. Instead of enrolling through our website, an online invoice will be sent once a lesson is confirmed. Please include in the email:

• The specific topic or skill you would like help with
• Any particular staff you would like to be paired with
• Availability: days, evenings, weekends, etc.

Please note that gap lessons are not designed to provide authorization, but instead boost your confidence within the studio. Based on the skill or topic you would like to focus on, we may recommend a longer lesson.

Meet our Staff:

• Jessica Christy
• Angee Lennard
• Anders Zanichkowsky

Gap lessons are $45 for a 1-hour session. Members of Spudnik receive a discounted rate of $40/hour.

Studio Access Training: Letterpress

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are currently offering private trainings that are part online / part in-person. More Details

Studio Access Training: Screenprinting

This authorization will address the entire process of screenprinting. We will share Spudnik’s guidelines and protocol for the entire process from image prep to screen reclamation, with a focus on care and maintenance of tools and supplies. The authorization will address paper printing, and fabric printing by request (including using our t-shirt press and heat press).

Group projects will allow participants to review preparing images, making films or stencils, selecting and coating screens, using our vacuum table exposure unit and washout booth, setting up a print station, and reclaiming screens for future use.

We will address printing technique as it relates to properly using the equipment, and how to best share space in a high-traffic area of the shop. We will also cover how to reserve screens and special equipment, use shared materials, and clean up properly.

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are currently offering private trainings that are part online / part in-person. More Details

Studio Access Training: Post Production Tools

This authorization can get you authorized to operate the many “post production” tools available at Spudnik Press Cooperative, including book binding and publication tools. The following equipment is available:

• Spiral Binder
• Duplexer (Dry Mount Press)
• Thermal Binder
• Corner Rounder
• Manual Guillotine
• Electric Guillotine
• Copy Stand & Digital SLR
• Button Maker
• Laminator

In addition, there are bountiful resources available ranging from PVA to a nipping press to a type writer, all available for use through our studio programs. We will also address related resale materials, including paper, and various tools available for check-out.

This training session is ideal for book artists, comic and zine producers, stationary printers, and anyone who needs to document their artwork or product line.

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are currently offering private trainings that are part online / part in-person. More Details

Studio Access Training: Relief & Monoprinting

This authorization will cover both relief and monoprinting with a focus on press safety. While these are two unique mediums, they share the same presses and typically the same inks and cleaning processes.

Within relief printmaking, this session will address the basics of block carving with a focus on the tools and resources available at Spudnik Press and how various carving styles or approaches might affect the printing process. While printing with a press will be reviewed in detail, printing by hand will be addressed on request.

Within monoprinting, this session will address using plexiglass as a matrix, working with water- and oil-based pigments, and mark-making and stencil-making tools on site.

Moving to the printing process, this session will address setting pressure, blanket care, registration methods, paper selection, working with wet paper (water baths and damp packs), and drying/flattening prints. Regarding ink, this session with review modifiers, ink care, and cleaning expectations.

As with all our Studio Access Trainings, we will also cover equipment available to check out and press reservation policies.

To remain as accessible and welcoming as possible while ensuring the health and safety of both staff and visitors, we are currently offering private trainings that are part online / part in-person. More Details