Anatomy of a Printshop

Printmaking is a world of beauty, a world of remarkable imagery, and one of endless possibilities encompassing creative innovation and progressive thinking. Printmaking is not a form of reproduction where "copies" are made of an original artwork. Printmaking is a medium where original works of art are created within the printing medium. When an edition is printed, all prints are identical and made from a unique printing element such as a copper plate for example and created by hand by the artist. The prints in an edition are all multi originals.

Introduction:

Printmaking is a world of processes which require the artist to have knowledge and understanding of materials and substances, and how they work collectively towards a creative and artistic end. To make this end possible, essential items are required, such as printing presses, specialized benches and work tops; facilities for preparing printing paper and for drying finished prints. Special sinks and work areas are a necessity for the handling of acids and the etching of copper plates, for example.

The above is just a sample of the items required to provide an artist with the means to create their own artwork within this unique and vital medium.

Very few artists can afford the necessary tools and appliances, or the studio space that these items require. A printshop provides these items, and more importantly provides for all the needs that an artist requires, both aesthetically and technically.

A printshop more than just a conglomerate of materials. It is an essential centre for creative development and a facility which encourages and fosters the creative process on all levels of expertise. It is a centre for continued research into safer and healthier methods for the production of original prints.

Professional Standards:

All printshops share a common responsibility to all artists and their artworks created within the precinct of the printshop; all works must be of the highest standard and quality. If an edition is printed, it must be made on the finest quality of rag papers and printed with the finest quality ink. The printshop must be in compliance to these standards and be prepared to offer assurance to artists that all works created in the printshop conform to the highest level of quality possible. Artworks made with inferior materials would be negligent and be of lesser value as original works of art.

Professional Services:

Printshops offer a very unique the services of a Master Printer. Most printshops have a Master Printer in residence, whose role is to guarantee that the shop is in perfect working order, to give advice, guidance and assistance to artists and to help them to realize their creative goals.

The Master Printer is in many ways a "means to an end" in the capacity of a teacher, a resource and a person who encourages innovation and exploration of the medium.

In this modern world, the Master Printer has another obligation which is to ensure that only non toxic materials are used. He or she has an obligation to the health and safety of all participants using the printshop, and should devote special attention into research of organic substances for the benefit of both the work place and the environment.

Professional Services of the Master Printer:

A great deal of skill is required during the printing of an image, be it an etching, a lithograph or a silk screen print for example. The process for printing an original image must be repeated over and over again, making sure that all the prints are identical if an edition is to be made. An edition is a predetermined number, usually a minimum of ten prints.

Many artists lack the skills necessary for this task, or simply do not have the time to spend labouring away at the printing press. To overcome this, artists often employ the services of a Master Printer to take on the task of edition printing on their behalf. In this way, the daunting and tedious task is transferred into the hands of an expert, relieving the artist of the drudgery of the repetitious work involved in the printing of an edition.

This is an intriguing aspect of the creative process as it is a collaboration between both the artist and the printer. For the printer, it is an activity involving both intimacy with the artist's work and ideas, and as a professional responsibility to the artist in ensuring that the work achieves fruition. To this end a unique bond occurs between artist and Master Printer. It is best described as a convergence and melding of creativity and skill on a symbiotic level with a mutual aesthetic aim in mind.

Archival Aspects:

When an edition is completed (a minimum of ten prints) the artist must sign and number each individual print. Each print then receives a chop mark: a discrete embossed image or logo belonging exclusively to a particular printshop. If the prints are by a Master Printer then he or she will apply their own chop to each print the edition. After the completion of an edition a written record is then made, recording the type weight of paper, type of ink used for printing, image size, the title of the artwork, name of the artist and when the print was made. The document is then signed by both the artist and the Master Printer.

When all prints have been signed and numbered, and the edition record is complete, the original printing matrix is then defaced or "cancelled." This ensures that no more prints can be made and that the multiple of prints are truly part of a limited edition.

It is common practice for all printshops to retain two artists proofs - prints made outside the edition - for the purpose of building an archival collection of prints. This also provides a visual record of all artworks created and produced in a particular printshop. The prints, plus their "chop" marks endorse their authenticity and as to where they were printed and by whom.

The printshop is consequently developing a permanent archive and compiling a legal record of all artworks created and produced exclusively on it's premises. The artists proofs kept by the printshop are primarily used for educational as well as archival purposes, however, one of the two proofs is for sale. The revenue generated from this sale goes towards the general operating cost, upkeep and maintenance of the printshop.

Non Toxic Techniques for a Modern World:

Artists who choose printmaking as a medium can and should work in an environment that is safe and non hazardous They should be able to choose and work with a media which encourages new exploration within the constantly evolving artistic world, while at the same time utilize commonplace materials towards a much safer and creative end.

The advent of non toxic techniques in the printmaking studio is seen as a revelation by most artists; a complete renewal as though discovering this medium for the first time. It is a long overdue environmentally safer voyage towards future creative initiatives.

The development of non toxic techniques must be seen as a printmaker's renaissance; a portal of opportunity to transform the malignant to the benign. A Master Printer today must be committed to research in chemistry and the use of organic substances, as a commitment to health and safety for the well being of all artists who choose to work in the medium of printmaking.

There must be a focus upon the horizon with a healthier future in view.

Also See:

• Sunbury Shores Print Shop