The Banff CentreThe Banff Winter Arts Festival

Printmaking Studio


Proposals for printmaking projects are submitted through application to any Visual Arts Creative Residencies Program: Thematic, New Works, or Self-Directed. Artists who apply for these programs will have 24-hour access to the printmaking studio and are required to have at least an introductory level of experience in the area(s) they plan to produce work. The Print & Paper Facilitator leads artists through a mandatory studio orientation that covers WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) and studio equipment training.

The printmaking studio keeps basic materials for printmaking in stock. Please reference the web link Printmaking Fees to view a listing of these materials and related costs.
Clear acetate, newsprint, and printing papers (BFK Rives, Arches, and Somerset) are sold at the printmaking studio. Please refer to the Suppliers link to make arrangements for ordering additional supplies.

Digital Printing

The printmaking studio operates an Hp Designjet 500ps large-format, 24” wide, non-archival inkjet printer. A maximum paper width of 24" can be printed on either sheet or roll papers. The Hp Designjet 500ps outputs photo-positives/negatives on clear film for use with a variety of photo-printmaking processes. This printer also prints in full color CMYK (black ink is pigment based and color inks are dye based). Please note this printer is non-archival; the inks are not guaranteed to last.

Please Note: Banff Centre Photographic Services (CEE) operates an Epson Stylus Pro 9500, 44” wide, archival inkjet printer. This printer is a full color (pigment based) digital printer that outputs onto roll or sheet papers. The Epson Stylus Pro 9500 is archival; prints are guaranteed for 100 years but only when printed on specific Epson papers. Participants in the Creative Residencies Programs may access the Epson Stylus Pro 9500 subject to booking times and availability. Artists who require significant use must request the Epson Stylus Pro 9500 in the Application Package through their project proposals and resource request forms. Please contact the Print & Paper Facilitator for more information.

Intaglio (Etching) and Relief Printing

Metal-plate etching (copper, zinc, and aluminum), collograph printing, monoprinting, and woodblock printing are all possible in this printmaking facility. Ferric chloride is contained inside a Howard’s Pro-Vertical Etching tank for copper plate etching. Etching with other metals is also possible. The Acid Room is self-enclosed with an excellent ventilation system; it is also where etching baths are mixed and restricted.
Studio equipment for etching includes:

  • Charles Brand etching press – bed size 36" x 60" (91 cm x 152 cm)
  • Charles Brand embossing/etching press - 26" x 48" (65cm x 120cm)
  • Howard’s Pro-Vertical Etching Tank 18”x 24” (46 cm x 61cm) with Ferric Chloride
  • Shake Box for aquatint (no rosin box)
  • Ettan hot plate 27" x 35" (68 cm x 88 cm)
  • Two glass-top roll-up tables each 36"x 61" (91cm x 154cm)
  • Stainless steel paper soaking sink 36" x 56" (91 cm x 142 cm)

For photo-etching, the printmaking studio uses a 24” HP Designjet 500ps inkjet printer for creation of photo-positives on Clear Film. The output quality is good for use with ImagOn™ ULTRA film (photo-etching plates). The Print Facilitator operates the printer and artists incur the cost of the inkjet ink & clear film.
The studio has used several other methods for photo-etching that include: screen printing onto copper plates, ImagOn by DuPont, and photopolymer (solar) platemaking.   For a description of the Photopolymer Platemaker and process please read the Letterpress and Book Arts section.

Please Note:  There is no rosin box available in the studio; instead, shake boxes have been used to successfully create aquatints.

Letterpress & Book Arts

The printmaking studio has a Vandercook 4T Letterpress. The Letterpress prints image and text onto paper using Jet 94FL plastic backed Photopolymer plates. These relief plates are produced using an A4 Polimero Photopolymer Platemaker housed in the studio. The Photopolymer Platemaker is an all-in-one unit for exposure, developing, and drying of Photopolymer plates. In addition to the printmaking studio facilities, a fully equipped Papermaking Studio provides additional resources for artists who wish to produce handmade papers for book arts. Together with the Paul D. Fleck Artist Book Collection*, these facilities provide an opportunity for book arts research, creation, and immersion.

*Paul D. Fleck Library - Artist Book Collection

Home to over 3,700 works, this collection includes many rare and unique books and bookworks created by artists in Canada and abroad. In addition to works that embody traditional book formats, this collection also includes multiples, unbound/open works, photoworks, mail art, and artist's ephemera.

• Vandercook 4T Letterpress (cylinder dimensions 14” x 18”)
• Photopolymer Platemaker (A4 size – 9” x 13”)
• Standard Boxcar Grid Base (13” x 19” non-magnetic metal base)
• A Nipping Press (cast iron 10” x 15”)
Please reference the web link Printmaking Fees to obtain more information about materials and related costs.

Lithography

The Lithography Studio is a private self-enclosed studio space with exhaust ventilation. The printmaking studio provides the essential equipment for traditional plate and stone lithography. A ventilation hood is stationed directly above the Griffin lithography press. The printmaking studio provides the following equipment:

  • Bavarian Litho Stones:
  • 16" x 20" (40 cm x 50 cm)
  • 21" x 26" (53 cm x 66 cm)
  • 22" x 30" (55 cm x 76 cm)
  • 25" x 30" (63 cm x 76 cm)
  • Griffin lithography press 39" x 66" (99 cm x 167 cm)
  • Graining sink 47" x 80" (119 cm x 203 cm)
  • Levigator
  • 2 leather rollers
  • 1 Synthetic roller (color printing)
  • Tympans
  • Carborundum grits
  • Scraper bars
  • Drying rack

Textile Printing & Dyeing

                   Textile Table                                 Fabric Steamer

Facilities for textile printing & dyeing include the following:

  • Large textile printing table (4 ft width x 27 ft length)
  • McDonnell & Miller industrial fabric steamer
  • Huskystar domestic sewing machine
  • Dye room with sink and exhaust ventilation
  • Screen printing equipment
  • Dye Facilities


Screen printing

The printmaking studio supports water-based screen printing. The studio darkroom houses a Tri-Light NuArc Exposure System for photo-silkscreen. The printmaking studio provides the essential equipment for screen printing:

  • Tri-Light NuArc Exposure System (vacuumAWT One Man Squeegee Unit & UV light source)
  • Silk-screens
  • Squeegees (maximum length 32”)
  • Scoop-coaters
  • Spray booth and pressure washer
  • Angled light table 43"x 52" (109 cm x 132 cm) with clamps (manual screen printing table)
  • Vacuum table 48"x 63" (121 cm x 160 cm) (manual screen printing table)
  • A.W.T. Seri-Glide Serigraphy Press One Man Squeegee Unit (35" x 45" print area)

General Information:

All program participants are responsible for paying the cost of supplies such as inks, papers, plates, acetate, and any material not listed under the printmaking fees. The Printmaking Studio stocks some supplies available for purchase. Please consult the Print & Paper Facilitator with questions regarding your project requirements, studio equipment, printmaking fees, suppliers, and availability of materials.

For more information contact:

Wendy Tokaryk, Print & Paper Facilitator
Email: wendy_tokaryk@banffcentre.ca
Phone: 1.403.762.6402
Fax: 1.403.762.6665