September 18 | Studio Access Training: Relief, Monoprint, Intaglio (2 hours)

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.

This authorization focuses on press safety.

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.

For intaglio artists,  the training will focus on personal safety, care and maintenance of tools and supplies, and best practices for working with intaglio printing at Spudnik Press.

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

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What Are Studio Access Trainings?

Studio Access Trainings ensure that those with have 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. 

September 22 | Monotypes & Collographs (6 Weeks)

Monotypes & Collographs is a hands-on introduction to two expressive printmaking processes that emphasize texture, gesture, and experimentation. This class is ideal for beginners as well as artists working in painting, drawing, mixed media, or sculpture who want to explore printmaking in an approachable, playful way.

Students will create monotypes by working directly on plexiglass plates using additive and subtractive techniques, layering color, stencils, and ghost prints to build dynamic images. The class also introduces collographs, where textured plates are constructed from found materials and printed in small, varied editions.

Throughout the course, students will make many prints while learning how ink, paper, and pressure shape the final image. By the end of the class, participants will complete a small body of work that combines multiple techniques and reflects their individual style. Students will leave comfortable using the etching press and eligible for studio authorization at Spudnik Press.