Screenprinting Explorations (October)

Most people are fans of screenprinting whether they know it or not. Screenprinting is an art form known for its bold graphics and versatility. A close cousin of stenciling, screenprinting is easy to learn, yet has many facets to explore and master. 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 will be familiar with dark room exposure, mesh count, screen tension, ink consistency, and registration.

In addition to developing A+ printing skills, this class will help students develop their imagery, be it hand-drawn illustration or digital files, to successfully translate to print. 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.

Risography 101 (November 6)

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 footprint 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 a drum’s ink tube. 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.

Bookbinding 101: Hardcover Books

Bookbinding is a traditional art form that uses a basic set of techniques and tools to transform paper, book board, thread and glue into unlimited variations of handmade movable structures. Handmade books, from blank journals to intricate artist books, depend on the same foundations skills and craftsmanship that has been tried and true for centuries and will be taught in this six-session survey of book arts.

In this class, you will create your own hand-sewn, hardcover books from scratch and build a fitted box to contain them. Three distinct and popular styles of binding will be taught that each boast attractive hand-sewn spines: keyhole case binding, classic stab binding, and the always-elegant Coptic binding. Students will then create a custom box with a fitted lid to house these three book projects and elevate the skills acquired throughout the class.

The goals of the class are to two-fold: First, this class will empower students with the essential technical skills and bookbinding vocabulary needed to continue making books for years. Second, through considering the relationship between content, materials, and structure, students will boost their creative practice.

DIY Greeting Cards: Screenprinting

Screenprinting is one of many processes at Spudnik Press that can be used to print your own set of greeting cards. This is a quick and fun introduction to printing on paper allows students to dabble with a new process while making personalized cards for their friends and family.

Students will bring to the workshop their own one-color digital or hand-drawn designs. Not a design expert? No problem! Any bold black and white image will work, and students will be able to finesse their design after learning the strengths and limitations of the process. While Illustrator or Photoshop files are great, students can bring anything from text typed in Microsoft Word to photocopies.

Throughout the workshop, you will learn to use our darkroom to expose a design onto a screen. Everyone will be able to mix their own ink color, and then, most importantly, print, print, print! After printing and cleaning up supplies, students will be able to score their cards if needed. Students will walk away with a set of 20 handmade greeting cards for friends, family and coworkers.

Basic white 5×7” flat cards are available for students who do not bring their own cards.

T-Shirts & Totebags Screenprinting Workshop (November)

Convert your own drawing or design to a collection of hand-printed wearable items in this energetic and informative one-day workshop. Printing an assortment of t-shirts or totebags is practical, fun and incredibly gratifying!

Students will bring to the workshops with a bold black and white drawing, a high-contrast photo, or a digital design. While .AI or .PSD files are great, we welcome students to bring anything from text typed in Microsoft Word to photocopies. After students refine the artwork (as needed) to be “print-ready”, student will use a pre-coated photographic screen and mix their own custom ink color. Everyone should bring five items of their choosing to print. As long as they are fabric and flat, we can help you print on it! Shirts, tote bags, tea towels, bandanas, and thrift store jean jackets will all work great. Leave with a sample for an Etsy store, a surprise gift for a friend, or an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags!

Risography 101 (November 28)

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 footprint 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 a drum’s ink tube. 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.

Bookbinding Workshop: Quarter Leather Longstitch

The Quarter Leather Longstitch is a classy, elegant, and durable style of bookbinding. This binding style features a leather spine with a combination of long straight stitches and braided link stitches. In this workshop, you will make from scratch a hearty 6” x 9” book with hard covers and a 1” spine.

Students will learn about the properties of paper (like paper weight and paper grain), how to handle a variety of bookbinding tools (like bone folders, book board, glue, methylcellulose), and common book arts terminology. Our one-day bookbinding workshops are a great way for students with bookbinding experience to refresh or hone skills but also offer beginning students a taste of the art form.

Each student is asked to bring one large sheet of lightweight decorative paper to allow everyone to customize their book.

Risography 102: Bring Your Own Files (December)

Risography 102 reinforces the skills introduced in Riso 101. Each student will bring their own project to set-up and print during the workshop.

To ensure smooth and efficient printing, best practices for imposition or layout for zines and books will be reviewed as well as tips for color separation and digital file set-up.

Through creating a small run of prints during the workshop, students will get a refresher on how to make masters from digital files, how to troubleshoot paper jams and other typical print errors, and how to replenish ink and masters. Lastly, students will have the opportunity to use our guillotines to trim their prints.

This workshop is limited to just four students to ensure that everyone can print their own imagery and log time operating the machine independently. Students who take this workshop will be well suited to print and use guillotines unsupervised during Open Studio.

T-Shirts & Totebags Screenprinting Workshop (December)

Convert your own drawing or design to a collection of hand-printed wearable items in this energetic and informative one-day workshop. Printing an assortment of t-shirts or totebags is practical, fun and incredibly gratifying!

Students will bring to the workshops with a bold black and white drawing, a high-contrast photo, or a digital design. While .AI or .PSD files are great, we welcome students to bring anything from text typed in Microsoft Word to photocopies. After students refine the artwork (as needed) to be “print-ready”,student will use a pre-coated photographic screen and mix their own custom ink color. Everyone should bring five items of their choosing to print. As long as they are fabric and flat, we can help you print on it! Shirts, tote bags, tea towels, bandanas, and thrift store jean jackets will all work great. Leave with a sample for an Etsy store, a surprise gift for a friend, or an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags!

Self-Publishing Offset Apprenticeship

Our self-publishing apprenticeship program includes 20+ hours of individual instruction. Students will become fully authorized to operate the ABDick Offset press through printing their own artwork or writing, leaving with a completed large project or multiple smaller projects. Classes cover everything from file prep, alternative plate making, double-sided printing, registration, overlays, etc.

Students will meet for eight weeks for 2- to 3-hour sessions, at which point they should be able to become authorized, or continue taking lessons to gain confidence printing solo. Upon completion, authorized press operators can continue printing independently through our keyholder program, open studios, or hourly rental.

Email info@spudnikpress.org to schedule a meeting for more information. Please include basic availability and a preferred date to begin classes. We suggest visiting the studio prior to registering for this opportunity.