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Australian Print Workshop Open Access Studio provides access to a wide range of professional printmaking equipment and facilities at a modest rental. The APW Open Access Studio offers facilities for etching, lithography, relief printing and monoprinting, in a well ventilated and air conditioned studio.
APW Open Access Studio provides a friendly and relaxed environment in which to work and to meet other artists. Many artists use the facilities of the APW Open Access Studio to make prints for exhibitions, commissions, awards and competitions. The Australian Print Workshop Gallery also stocks many prints produced by artists who have used the APW Open Access Studio to produce their work.
Click here to view
the selection of works for sale online in our Printstore.
How can I use the APW Open Access Studio?
Artists are eligible to make use of the APW Open Access Studio to produce their own work when they can demonstrate that they have experience in printmaking, can work independently, and are proficient in handling printing equipment and materials.
Artists are only able to use the APW Open Access Studio to work in printmaking areas with which they are already familiar.
What printmaking equipment and
facilities are available?
The APW Open Access Studio offers a range of printmaking equipment and facilities including:
- Hilton manual etching press (bed size 165cm x 100cm)
- Hilton manual etching press (bed size 168cm x 100cm)
- Antique etching proofing press (bed size 88cm x 38cm)
- Albion press for relief printing (platen size 61cm x 45cm)
- Albion press for relief printing (platen size 55cm x 42.5cm)
- Columbian press for relief printing (platen size 50cm x 40cm)
- Takach-Garfield motorized lithography press
(bed size 176cm x 100cm)
- Takach-Garfield manual lithography press
(bed size 142cm x 82cm)
- Large range of lithography stones (sizes from 18x30cm to 73x102cm)
- Graining sink and 2 levigators, for graining
lithography stones
- Guillotine for cutting metal plates
- Quality rollers, brayers and leather nap rollers (sizes from 9cm tp 90cm wide)
(bed size 100 x 168cm)
- Ventilated process room with fume extraction
- Ferric chloride baths (maximum size 125cm x 98cm) for etching copper
- Aquatint box
- Large stainless steel sink for soaking paper.
- 2 Hotplates
- Lightbox
- Large drying rack and drying boards
- Expansive bench space
- Fume extraction system and Nederman for localised fume extraction in studio
APW Orientation Session
Prior to using the APW Open Access Studio for the first time, artists are required to attend a studio orientation. This will cover OH&S and the safe usage of equipment and materials. It will also cover the booking system for the studio. Please call APW on (03) 9419 5466 to register to attend a 'free' orientation session scheduled by APW.
For new studio users, this will be an opportunity to show an APW staff member a recent selection of prints you have produced and printed, demonstrating your ability to work in the studio autonomously.
All APW Open Access Studio users are required to undertake a studio induction once each year to ensure that they are aware of any changes to procedures and materials that may have occurred since they last used the studio.
Artist Agreement
Artists are required to sign an agreement form before they use the studio. A new agreement form must be signed each year; staff will explain details of the agreement.
Artists new to the studio are on probation to give staff time to assess their competence in using the equipment and facilities. If necessary, staff may advise artists that their skills need further development and recommend an appropriate class.
How to make a booking
Equipment and facilities can be booked for either a full day (9am-5pm) or half-day (9am-1pm or 1-5pm).
Booking can be made up to four weeks in advance in person, by telephone or email. For artists travelling from regional areas or interstate, bookings can be made further in advance after consulting with staff.
When making your booking please specify which facilities will be used or activities undertaken (e.g. graining sink, ferric bath, relief printing, etching, editioning, proofing, etc). In order to maximise the opportunities to proof work, studio users who aren't editioning may be required to share their press with other artists who are also proofing.
Cancellation of booking
If you are unable to attend a session that has been booked, please notify APW as soon as possible. Cancellations need to be made more than 48 hours in advance so that other artists on the waiting list can be given the opportunity to work in the studio. Penalties may apply if APW is not notified within the time frame specified.
What is the Cost?
The Australian Print Workshop Open Access Studio provides artists
with access to a range of professional printmaking equipment
and facilities at a modest rental. The rental charges are
kept as low as possible and are subsidised by the Workshop.
The APW Open Access Studio is open Wednesday to Saturday, 9am-5pm.
Studio equipment and facilities may be booked for either a
full day (9am-5pm) or for half a day (9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm).
Charges are available on application.
For more information about the Australian Print Workshop
Access Studio please contact
Australian Print Workshop.
Workshop Proofs
Since its inception in 1981 Australian Print Workshop has asked that artists provide APW with a proof from each edition printed at the workshop, forming an extensive historical archive that reflects a wide overview of contemporary printmaking. When printing monotypes, artists are asked to provide a representative sample of the work produced. When supplying this proof to APW staff, an edition documentation form must be completed and submitted along with the proof.
What Materials does APW supply?
- Hand cleaner
- Methylated spirits
- Turpentine
- Glass cleaner / degreaser
For etching:
- Bitumen
- Shellac
- Hard and Soft Grounds
- Tapers (for smoking grounds)
- Rosin
- Ferric Chloride (For COPPER ONLY)
- Magnesium carbonate
- Whiting
- Soy sauce (for degreasing)
For lithography:
- Bitumen (wash out solution)
- Counter etch (diluted acetic acid)
- Files and rasps
- Nitric acid and Phosphoric acid
- Roll-up black ink (for rolling up only)
- Rosin
- Talc
- Waterproof apron for graining
- Muslin for buffing stones
- Carborundum Grit
Additional equipment available for use
at APW:
- Stainless steel buckets (for lithography)
- Cutting mats
- Compressed blankets (felt)
- Woven blankets (limited and available by request)
- Files
- Spatulas
- Relief rollers (various sizes)
- Rollers for applying hard & soft grounds
- Synthetic rollers (for lithography)
- Leather nap rollers (for lithography)
- Light box
- Carborundum Grit
The APW Open Access Studio charges a small levy for the use of grit (carborundum) for graining litho stones and for ferric chloride & chemical waste disposal. This charge will be advised by APW staff at time of booking.
In order to continue supplying these items it is essential that artists thoroughly clean equipment after use. Any items damaged must be replaced at the artist's expense.
What Materials do I need to bring to APW?
Gloves
Ink
Tarlatan
Lithographic drawing materials
Masking tape
Paper and acetate (proofing & editioning)
Newsprint
Rags
Respirator
Safety glasses or goggles
Specific tools - eg cutting knife, brushes, etching tools etc
APW Open Access Studio is a solvent free space. Please be aware that you may not bring your own solvents into the facility.
There is insufficient space at the APW for artists to leave any personal items or materials. Please take all belongings, plates and personal equipment with you at the end of your session. APW takes no responsibility for items left at the workshop.
Local printmaking suppliers
For artists needing other materials such as newsprint, proofing and
editioning papers and ink, there are a number of good art supply shops
within walking distance of Australian Print Workshop.
Drying your prints
APW Open Access Studio is equipped with canite boards and large drying
racks. Prints are removed from boards and drying rack once a week and
are wrapped and temporarily kept for your collection. Please attach a
note with your details and date of printing so that staff may easily
identify work. Prints should be collected ASAP, as APW cannot take
responsibility for works left to dry. Any work left for over 3 months
will be destroyed.
Cleaning and Care of Equipment
It is the responsibility of each artist to clean the areas in which
they have been working. Please ensure you make time for this to be done
properly and without rush before the end of your session.
Areas and
equipment to be cleaned by artists:
Ink slab
Hot plate (keep hot plate on low, turn off at switch and wall when
finished)
Benches
Press (bed, wheel and roller)
Floor if necessary (eg: mop floor near graining sink, sweep up copper
filings, wood and lino scraps)
Tympans and scraper bars
Doors and handles
Litho buckets (with Meta Shine and then rinsed thoroughly)
Put solvent rags in red pedal
bins (NO PAPER)
Put other rags in normal rubbish bins
Return tools and equipment to labelled storage areas
Take plates and other items with you
Process
Room:
Clean up all drops of ferric chloride from baths, floor and walls (FERRIC
CHLORIDE CORRODES most surfaces)
Clean up any bitumen or shellac from the mats
Clean brushes thoroughly
Don't leave brushes, plates or tools lying around
If in doubt about what cleaning products to use to clean equipment,
please do not hesitate to ask a staff member.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Australian Print Workshop strongly recommends that all artists supply
and wear personal protective equipment and conduct in a manner that is
conducive to health & safety regulations.
A respirator fitted with dust particle and organic vapour filters
Eye protection (safety goggles or glasses)
Gloves (solvent & acid proof)
Sturdy footwear (no open-toed shoes or sandals)
Protective clothing
APW Studio kitchen
The APW Open Access Studio has a small kitchen and artists can make tea
and coffee, for a nominal fee. Please wash your cups, plates and
cutlery after use, to help us keep the kitchen clean.
How to get to Australian Print Workshop
Australian Print Workshop is on the corner of Gertrude and Gore Street,
Fitzroy.
If you are driving to APW there are a few parking alternatives. There
is a car park on Condell Street offering four-hour metered parking
close to the Workshop, however this fills fairly early in the morning.
Six-hour metered parking is available in Peel Street, Oxford Street,
Little Oxford Street, Cambridge Street and Wellington Street - these
are approximately a 5 to 10 minute walk from APW.
Slightly further away (a 10 to 15 minute walk) are car parking stations
at the Melbourne Museum, Australian Catholic University and off
Victoria Street - details as follows:
Melbourne Museum Car Park Carlton Gardens, entry via Nicholson St or
Rathdowne St
- Open 6am-Midnight 7 Days
Secure Parking
Australian Catholic University
115 Victoria Street, Fitzroy
- Open 7am-9.30pm Weekday's only
- Closed Weekends
CARePark
678 Victoria St
- Open 6am-1pm 7 Days
Public Transport
APW is easy to access via public transport. The number 86 tram runs
along Gertrude Street past the Workshop, with the closest stop being on
the corner of Gertrude and Smith Street. The number 109 tram travels
along Victoria Parade which is a short walk from the workshop. The
number 112 tram travels from St Kilda to Fitzroy, running down nearby
Brunswick Street and stopping at the corner of Gertrude Street.
The nearest train station to APW is Parliament Station located on
Nicholson Street in the city. It is a 15 minute walk from Parliament
Station to APW, or alternatively you can catch the number 86 tram from
the corner of Nicholson and Albert Streets just near the entrance to
Parliament Station. Trains to all suburbs leave from the station, as
well as city loop trains.
See www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
for further information about these public transport routes or call
Metlink on 131 638.
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