January 26 | Screen Refresher (4 Hours)

Note: Experience is required to take this refresher class.

This refresher & authorization workshop welcomes students with previous screenprinting experience who are feeling out-of-practice or fuzzy regarding the finer points of the process, or who have never printed at Spudnik before, and want familiarity with our facilities and offerings. Students should have already completed a one-day workshop or full class, although it need not have been at Spudnik. We also welcome printers that would like support working through a particularly complex project or reoccurring printing issue.

The class will review an assortment of skills such as selecting the best mesh count, applying the perfect coat of photo emulsion, troubleshooting and diagnosing exposure and printing issues, ink mixing, registration, and screen reclamation. Equally as importantly, we will address how to consider these technical factors and limitations when designing a project for printing.

During the workshops, each student will expose a screen, and work with peers to print a two-color image designed to hone nuanced printing skills. Students are welcome to bring specific questions about their next project.

To help build printing confidence at Open Studio sessions, students are invited to return within the week to put their freshly acquired knowledge to use. Through this workshop, students will not only brush up on old skills and become authorized to print at Spudnik, but are sure to walk away with new morsels of useful information regarding the art of screenprinting.

February 5 | Intro to Relief Printing (4 Weeks)

Relief printmaking dates as far back as the 7th century and is considered the oldest form of printmaking, appearing first as woodblock images in China. It is a graphic yet versatile process, capable of hardedge imagery as well as soft tonality. In relief, an image is carved in reverse into a block which is then inked and sent through a press. The tools are simple and approachable but the possibilities are expansive.

Our Intro to Relief Printing class equips students to plan, carve, and print in relief practices. During this class, students will be guided through the best methods for planning and transferring their images utilizing subtractive techniques that exploit line, shape, contrast, and texture. In addition, students will learn how to mix and modify inks, handle paper, methods of registration, and how to finesse pressure on the press for the best results.

In addition to gaining authorization to print independently at Spudnik Press, students will have access to Open Studios to work on their projects.

With the completion of this class, students will not only produce an edition of prints that reflect the skills built throughout this class but receive authorization in relief printing at Spudnik. Further printing in relief can be explored through our Open Studio or Keyholder programs.

February 18| Studio Access Training: Letterpress (2 hours)

This 2-hour authorization will allow participants to be authorized to print on our Vandercook Press. Printers may need to book a second on-site session to be authorized for both vandercook presses.

Every letterpress authorization will ensure that printers are familiar with setting up the press, mixing inks, inking the press, adjusting pressure and registration, printing, and thorough cleaning of the press and all tools. There may not be time to practice printing both a polymer plate and movable type, but both methods can be reviewed as needed.

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

Studio Authorization is always required prior to attending your first Open Studio or becoming a Keyholder. Experience is required for all Studio Access Trainings.

Please take some time to read and ensure that you meet the minimum requirements stated below.

What Are Studio Access Trainings?

Studio Access Trainings ensure that those with prior experience from school or another print studio will be proficient and confident using the equipment in our studio.

What you can expect:

These sessions are NOT lessons, but specifically for makers who already have thorough experience with similar equipment. 

Minimum Requirements to Become Authorized:

• Have recent experience with the equipment you would like to use (within 2 years)
• Have thorough experience with the equipment you would like to use (8-week class or equivalent; Experience required varies based on process and equipment).
• Be comfortable working independently.
• Demonstrate safe and clean printmaking or art-making habits.
• Demonstrate respect to our staff and our equipment.

If you do not meet these requirements, please enroll in a class that includes authorization or schedule a series of private lessons

February 20 | Analog Screenprinting: Stencils, Marks, and Monoprints (4 Weeks)

In analog screenprinting, students will learn multiple methods for stencil and image generation without the aid of machines (aside from our exposure unit). We will begin by experimenting with cutting, tearing, and selectively oiling our stencils to change how light passes through them, before moving on to the interactions between drawing fluid and screen filler, before finally exploring monoprints using watercolors and transparent base.

Decompress and unplug during this class, while meeting other like minded printers to see what you can accomplish with just a few simple tools on hand.

In addition to gaining authorization to print independently at Spudnik Press, students will have access to Open Studios to work on their projects.

February 23 | Screenprinting Refresher & Authorization (4 Hours)

Note: Experience is required to take this refresher class.

This refresher & authorization workshop welcomes students with previous screenprinting experience who are feeling out-of-practice or fuzzy regarding the finer points of the process, or who have never printed at Spudnik before, and want familiarity with our facilities and offerings. Students should have already completed a one-day workshop or full class, although it need not have been at Spudnik. We also welcome printers that would like support working through a particularly complex project or reoccurring printing issue.

The class will review an assortment of skills such as selecting the best mesh count, applying the perfect coat of photo emulsion, troubleshooting and diagnosing exposure and printing issues, ink mixing, registration, and screen reclamation. Equally as importantly, we will address how to consider these technical factors and limitations when designing a project for printing.

During the workshops, each student will expose a screen, and work with peers to print a two-color image designed to hone nuanced printing skills. Students are welcome to bring specific questions about their next project.

To help build printing confidence at Open Studio sessions, students are invited to return within the week to put their freshly acquired knowledge to use. Through this workshop, students will not only brush up on old skills and become authorized to print at Spudnik, but are sure to walk away with new morsels of useful information regarding the art of screenprinting.