The popular Print Studio at the Bluecoat is a vibrant creative space at the heart of our building.
Alongside an annual programme of workshops and courses, the Print Studio is an open access space, available for anyone to book and use for their own creative practice.
Using the Studios
The Bluecoat Print Studios runs an open access studio for local artists and printmakers to hire our printmaking facilities. We have two separate bookable studios – the Intaglio Studio and the Screen Printing Studio.
Our print studios are open Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. If you need extra support a technician is present in the studios on Thursdays.
We run an open access studio, which means once you’ve completed an induction and are confident with using our studios and equipment independently then you can book a session.
Session prices are as follows:
Technician Support Session (Thursdays only): £12 (A 2 hour session that includes a technician present for support in the print studios. If you are a beginner to printmaking, you should book a technician support session until you are confident using the print studios independently.)
Half Day Session: £20 (A 4 hour morning (9am-1pm) or afternoon (1-5pm) session.)
Full Day Session: £30 (An 8 hour full day session)
You must have completed a Print Studio Health and Safety induction before booking any open access studio sessions without a technician present.
Click here to book your free Health and Safety induction.
What’s included in the session price?
- Screens for use in the studios
Screen cleaning materials
Intaglio Inks & sundries
Tape
Scrap paper
Newsprint
Emulsion is also included on Thursdays when a technician is present (as it’s very expensive!)
What do I need to bring?
Ink
Printing medium
Paper
Emulsion (if you aren’t using the studios on Thursdays)
Artist Membership
If you are an aspiring or active printmaker who would like to be part of a local printmaking community, consider becoming a Bluecoat Artist.
Your membership allows you to be at the heart of our creative community, book our Intaglio and Screenprinting Studios for personal use, and offers some other incredible perks.
Student Artist Membership
Have you caught the printing bug and want to continue practicing printmaking outside of your university term time? Our new student artist membership gives you access to our print studios, plus a load of other perks at a discounted price.
The history of the Bluecoat Print Studio
There has been a printmaking facility at the Bluecoat since the late 1960s, initially concentrating on the process of etching but now encompassing a broader range of techniques.