Studio Facilities

Our new open-access print studio in Castle Mills was custom built to provide quality, spacious printmaking facilities.

 

We are committed to providing high quality, low-cost printmaking facilities for artists.

 

Our studio is fully equipped with extensive facilities and expertise in Etching, Screenprinting, Lithography, Relief, Large format Inkjet printing and Laser Cutting. The double height open-plan light and airy studio is held in two large adjoining spaces and is an inviting, sociable place to work.

 

Our skilled team of staff and freelancers work to support the running and maintenance of the open-access studio, deliver education courses, and work on print projects with invited artists and publishing partners.

  • ETCHING

    Copper and zinc alternative etching, and acrylic-resist, photo polymer and Toyobo photo etching

     4 Etching presses:

    • 1x Vari Speed Motorised Takach combination etching press, Bed Size 183 x 100cm, Printable area 160 x 99cm
    • 1x Motorised Grieg etching press, Bed width 76cm, printable area 70 x 90 cm.
    • 1x Motorised Polymetaal JPVE-80 etching press,   Bed width  80 cm, printable area 75 x 115cm
    • 1x Rochat etching press,  Bed width 66 cm, printable area 60 x 76cm.

    1 x Electric Hotplate with thermostat 60 x 80cm

    Spray compressor and airbrush booth for aquatint

    Drying boards

    Print rack

    Dedicated drawing area

     

    LITHOGRAPHY

    Stone and photo-plate lithography with over 200 stones are available for use, largest stone size 66 x 92 cm.

     3 direct motorised presses. Bed sizes:

    • Seggie press 70 x 96cm
    • Takach motorised direct press and 80 x 120cm
    • Takach vari-speed motorised direct press, bed size 60 x 120cm

    Hydraulic lift trolley for moving stones
    Selection of narrow and wide diameter rollers
    Leather nap roller
    2x Print racks

    2x Lightboxes

    Dedicated safelight darkroom for photo- plate exposures

     The large combination Takach press can also be used to print plates and stones. Printable area 160 x 100cm

     

    LASER CUTTING

    1 x 80w HPC Laser cutter with water cooler, BOFA fume filtration unit and 4 wheel rotary attachment. Laser cut 5.3 software driver. Adobe Illustrator for preparing files prior to cutting.

    Cuts Paper, fabric, wood, cardboard and acrylic.

    Bed size 120 x 90cm

     

    LARGE FORMAT INKJET PRINTING

    Museum quality paper printing and acetate printing for printing separations.

    2 large format inkjet printers:

    • 1 x Epson 9880, 44”, 110cm large format printer with K3 pigment based Inks
    • 1 x Epson Surecolour SC-P7000, 24” 61cm wide  with Ultra Chrome HDX pigment based inks

    2 x 24" iMacs in open access studio for preparing files for printing

    1 x Epson Expression 10000 A3 Flat bed scanner. 

    A3 x Colour and black and white photocopier / scanner

     

    RELIEF PRINTING

    Polymetal Hydraulic relief platten press, bed size 80 x 100cm

    1 x Proofing press, bed size 45 x 70cm
    Selection of rollers and brayers, bench hooks
    Print rack

     

    SCREENPRINTING

    Water-based screen inks are used with fine-mesh screens.

    5 Vacuum bed presses, all taking screen sizes (outer frame size) 110 x 150 cm:

    • 1 x Kippax Horizontal lift press with manual pressure control
    • 1 x  Kippax standard press
    • 3 x Natgraph standard press

    Integrated Natgraph U.V. exposure unit
    2 x screen wash out bays with high pressure blasters.
    5 x Print racks
    2 x Lightboxes
    Access to computers and printers for producing print-ready acetates

    The large combination takach press can also be used to print woodblocks up to 160 x 100cm