Posts Categorized: Core Classes

November 5 | Risography 101 (1 Day)

The Risograph is an automated duplicator from Japan that efficiently produces offset-like prints in a variety of saturated colors. Though not originally intended for artistic application, the machine has gained traction (and notoriety) in small-press culture for its distinctive effects and efficiency—as well as for being rather finicky.

This workshop will walk students through the fundamentals of risography for bookmaking and fine art printing. Students will learn techniques and best practices for reproducing imagery, giving consideration to ink density, drying time, paper choices, registration, and patience. Students will become acquainted with the mechanics of the printer and learn basic maintenance, including how to change the master roll and a drum’s ink tube. Everyone will leave with an individually designed two-layer print.

Students will receive risography authorization and an Open Studio coupon, redeemable for one complimentary Open Studio session within the following 60 days. 

November 5 | Intro to Screenprinting (4 Weeks)

Note: This 4-week class will be skipping November 26th and will therefore conclude on December 3rd.

Screenprinting is an art form known for its bold graphics and versatility. It is an approachable art form, yet has many facets to explore and master. This foundational screenprinting class introduces all the basic skills to get someone new to the process up and running, creating art on both paper and fabric. 

A selections of projects will offer students the opportunity to produce prints from drawings, digital designs, and found or photographic imagery. Students will become familiar with the full process from selecting the right screen for the job, to dark room exposure, to mixing inks, to printing, to reclaiming the screens. With support from an experienced printer, students will practice printing and (equally important) troubleshooting.

By the end of this class, students will know their way around the print shop and be authorized to continue printing independently at Spudnik Press  through our Open Studio program.

November 10 | Lino Block Printing (1-Day)

This class is free or you can pay what you can as a donation to Spudnik!

Relief printmaking dates as far back as the 7th century and is considered the oldest form of printmaking. An image is carved into a block of wood or linoleum, which is then inked and pressed to transfer the image. The tools are simple and approachable, but the possibilities are expansive.

In Basic Relief Printing, students will plan, carve, and print a linoleum block. The class guides students through the process of transferring an image onto their block and techniques for creating line, shape, contrast, and texture. By the end of class, students will print their images by hand, taking home a small edition.

This class is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required to manage the number of participants and prepare the materials needed for the workshop. Donations are welcome and absolutely optional, and will help Spudnik Press with its operational expenses.

About the Campaign:

Make At Spudnik is a series of 1-day workshops that is free and open to the public, as an effort to reach more print-curious audiences and provide an opportunity for interested participants to experience printmaking basics without the financial barrier to learning. This month, we are inviting you to join us for a 1-Day Drypoint Printing class led by Teaching Artist Anna Wagner.

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Educational programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Builder’s Initiative.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

November 12 | Bookbinding 101: Simple Self-Publishing (1-Day)

This workshop focuses on styles of bookbinding that are low-cost yet dynamic, and well suited for poetry chapbooks and portfolio books. Students will learn how to choose materials and create simple book structures that best highlight the content within their book.

The lessons will address the logistics of organizing poetry or artwork into a book form, explore the book as a vessel for information, and how material choices can inform how the book is read. While the workshop will create blank books, each style of binding will begin with standard 8.5” x 11” paper to allow your poetry or artistic content to be easily printed from a common inkjet or laser printer. 

Students will complete four sample books: Two pamphlet stitch varieties, a perfect bound book, and a more elaborate Japanese stab binding.

In addition to learning hand skills, the class will discuss the history of chapbooks, their role in publishing over time, and ways to share and sell chapbooks. If you have writing or images you would like to promote, this is a great workshop to jump start your self-publishing!