Risography 101

The Risograph is an automated duplicator from Japan that efficiently produces offset-like prints in a variety of saturated colors. Though not originally intended for artistic application, the machine has recently gained traction (and notoriety) in small-press culture for its distinct look and efficiently as well as being rather finicky.

This workshop will walk students through the fundamentals of risograph printing for making books and fine art prints, and familiarize students with techniques to best reproduce their imagery. Students will become acquainted with the mechanics of the printer and learn basic maintenance, including how to change the master roll and ink. Lastly, students will learn how to best design for the risograph, taking into consideration ink drying time, ink density, paper options, registration, and patience. Everyone will leave with a three-color collaborative print produced throughout the workshop.

While students gain authorization to continue making risograph prints at Spudnik Press Cooperative, attendees are encouraged to round out their riso know-how by taking a Risography 102 workshop and/or returning to use Open Studio shortly after taking the workshop.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Etching & Intaglio Printmaking

Intaglio printmaking is a family of printing techniques developed (in part) by goldsmiths as a way to decorate armor, musical instruments and religious objects. These days, artists use a fine point needle to draw through a thin protective ground to expose copper. With the help of a chemical bath, marks and images are etched into the metal with a remarkable amount of detail.

Artists can also work more spontaneously by scratching gestures and images directly onto plates, transferring textures, or painting directly onto plates with resists and mordents. This highly versatile art form can produce a huge range of aesthetics.

Beginning with basic line etching, students will practice traditional plate making and printing. Through chine collé, aquatint, dry point, soft ground, and experimentation, student will add tonality, color, and varied marks to their images. No prior printing experience is needed, and students who do have intaglio experience can revisit the foundational skills with a more nuanced understanding of the process, and move on to independent projects.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class, including three copper plates ($26 value). The basic tools (etching needle, scraper and burnisher) are available to use during class, but students may wish to acquire their own so that they can work outside of class.

Risography 101 (March 4)

The Risograph is an automated duplicator from Japan that efficiently produces offset-like prints in a variety of saturated colors. Though not originally intended for artistic application, the machine has recently gained traction (and notoriety) in small-press culture for its distinct look and efficiently as well as being rather finicky.

This workshop will walk students through the fundamentals of risograph printing for making books and fine art prints, and familiarize students with techniques to best reproduce their imagery. Students will become acquainted with the mechanics of the printer and learn basic maintenance, including how to change the master roll and ink. Lastly, students will learn how to best design for the risograph, taking into consideration ink drying time, ink density, paper options, registration, and patience. Everyone will leave with a three-color collaborative print produced throughout the workshop.

While students gain authorization to continue making risograph prints at Spudnik Press Cooperative, attendees are encouraged to round out their riso know-how by taking a Risography 102 workshop and/or returning to use Open Studio shortly after taking the workshop.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Decorative Paper: Suminagashi, Paste Papers, & Paper Marbling

Sign up to learn a variety of techniques to make decorative papers from all parts of the world! Students in this course will spend two weeks learning each of method of decorating paper: suminagashi, paste papers, and paper marbling.

Paste papers are one of the earliest methods used to decorate paper. Using sponges, combs, brushes, and found objects, a mixture of paste and acrylic paint is surface painted on to paper. Suminagashi is a traditional form of paper marbling from Japan that creates lovely and unpredictable patterns. Paper Marbling is a more advanced design technique that has been used by paper artists since the 12^thcentury. Pigments are floated on a viscous water-based solution and carefully transferred to paper to produce mesmerizing patterning, similar to smooth marble.

Decorative papers are a wonderful craft that can be create wonderful pieces of fine art. They can be used as book covers, end papers, and as a base for handmade prints.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Letterpress Printing 101: Introduction to Letterpress

This course is the perfect introduction to letterpress printing. Students will develop foundational skills by using a composing stick to hand set lines of types. From there, projects will introduce more technical considerations as well as creative approaches to printing. Students will learn to learn to lock-up type, set pressure, mix and modify ink and how to safely operate our machines. This class is great for students looking for the basic principles of letterpress printing and those who want additional experience with Vandercook and Platen presses.  This class is a prerequisite for Letterpress Printing 102.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

T-Shirts & Tote Bags Screenprinting Workshop

Convert your drawing or design into the highlight of your very own wearable item in this energetic one-day workshop.

Students will bring a bold black and white drawing, high-contrast photo, or digital. While .AI or .PSD files are great, we welcome students to bring anything from text typed in Microsoft Word to photocopies. After students refine their designs with the assistance of a professional teaching artist, students will transfer their image to a pre-coated photographic screen and mix their own custom colors. Everyone should bring five flat, fabric items of their choosing on which to print. Examples of acceptable items include shirts, tote bags, tea towels, bandanas, and even thrift store jean jackets. Leave with a sample for an Etsy store, a surprise gift for a friend, or an eco-friendly tote bag!

For those who love this introduction to screenprinting, our 8-week Screenprinting Explorations class will round out your skills and allow you print independently through our Open Studio program!

This class typically fills 2+ weeks in advance. Early registration is suggested.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Advance Screenprinting: Image and Concept

Take your screenprinting skills to the next level in this project-driven class focused on exploring and exploits screenprinting as an art form and a creative process. Learn skills like mixing ink to match pantone colors, designing a triptych or other suite of prints, and using screenprinting as a fine art.  Students will also be able to review an assortment of skills like applying the perfect coat of photo emulsion, troubleshooting exposure and printing issues, and screen reclamation.

Over the course of the class, each student will create an edition of fine art prints and will have the opportunity to participate in a group print exchange. Previous screenprinting experience required.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Broadsides! Broadsides!

Historically broadsides were used as proclamations, posters, commentaries, and advertisements. Today, artists and writers use them to explore the intersection between the written word and visual art.

Learn the exciting history of letterpress printing through the process of printing your own broadside. Using Spudnik’s amazing collection of wood type, students will set a short phrase, lyric, or saying for their broadside edition.  They will then learn how to set up a Vandercook printing press to create their own colorful and tactile edition of prints.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Coptic Stitch Bookbinding

Developed in ancient Egypt, Coptic binding features stylish exposed stitching and is great for sketchbooks because the pages can open flat. Students will create a 5″ x 7″ Coptic bound blank book that can be used as a sketchbook or journal. Student will learn the parts of a book and how to prep materials for future projects. Single needle Coptic binding will be used with an optional double needle demonstration. This one-day workshop is open to beginners, particularly those interested in sewn bindings as well as more experience bookbinders who enjoy the Coptic structure. Students are welcome to bring decorative papers, book cloth, additional paper or prints for their projects.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Risography 101

The Risograph is an automated duplicator from Japan that efficiently produces offset-like prints in a variety of saturated colors. Though not originally intended for artistic application, the machine has recently gained traction (and notoriety) in small-press culture for its distinct look and efficiently as well as being rather finicky.

This workshop will walk students through the fundamentals of risograph printing for making books and fine art prints, and familiarize students with techniques to best reproduce their imagery. Students will become acquainted with the mechanics of the printer and learn basic maintenance, including how to change the master roll and ink. Lastly, students will learn how to best design for the risograph, taking into consideration ink drying time, ink density, paper options, registration, and patience. Everyone will leave with a three-color collaborative print produced throughout the workshop.

While students gain authorization to continue making risograph prints at Spudnik Press Cooperative, attendees are encouraged to round out their riso know-how by taking a Risography 102 workshop and/or returning to use Open Studio shortly after taking the workshop.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

Screenprinting Explorations

Most people love a screenprint whether they know it or not. Known for its bold graphics and versatility, screenprints are a staple for many famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Shepard Fairey. Screenprinting is relatively easy to learn, yet has many facets for further exploration and mastery.

Our eight-week class provides adequate time for new printers to complete a range of projects on paper and fabric, gradually increasing in complexity and nuance. With the ongoing support of a pro to help trouble-shoot along the way, students become familiar with dark room exposure, mesh count, screen tension, ink consistency, and registration.

In addition to developing A+ printing skills, this class will teach students how to build their imagery to best translate into the printed medium. By the end of the class, students will know their way around the print shop, and be well equipped to continue printing independently at Spudnik Press Cooperative.

This class typically fills 2+ weeks in advance. Early registration is suggested.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.

T-Shirts & Tote Bags Screenprinting Workshop

Convert your drawing or design into the highlight of your very own wearable item in this energetic one-day workshop.

Students will bring a bold black and white drawing, high-contrast photo, or digital. While .AI or .PSD files are great, we welcome students to bring anything from text typed in Microsoft Word to photocopies. After students refine their designs with the assistance of a professional teaching artist, students will transfer their image to a pre-coated photographic screen and mix their own custom colors. Everyone should bring five flat, fabric items of their choosing on which to print. Examples of acceptable items include shirts, tote bags, tea towels, bandanas, and even thrift store jean jackets. Leave with a sample for an Etsy store, a surprise gift for a friend, or an eco-friendly tote bag!

For those who love this introduction to screenprinting, our 8-week Screenprinting Explorations class will round out your skills and allow you print independently through our Open Studio program!

This class typically fills 2+ weeks in advance. Early registration is suggested.

Please note that class fees cover tuition as well as many consumable studio supplies and most materials that students will use throughout the class or workshop. Please see student material list for additional supplies.