Info For Studio Use
To use the public studio you must first take our intro workshop or convince us of your proficiency on the press you intend to use.
Studio Hours: Please see the side bar.
Bookings:
Press time can be booked using the tab on the side bar of the website. You will need to create a user account.
Be aware: All late arrivals will be billed from the start time specified in the booking. No-shows must be paid in full before a new appointment can be made. Bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before their start time. After that time there are NO cancellations.
We maintain a coop ink supply of Van Son inks from their Rubber Base Plus system. If you would like to join the coop and use these inks all you need to do is order one 1 lb. container of ink from this particular system and bring it in with you the first time you print. We will add your name to the list and you can use any of the ink in the communal supply. If you prefer to keep your own inks you may do so, but you must store them at home. You can order ink from the “Rubber Base Plus” ink system here.
Inks we have currently:
Black
Opaque White – RUNNING LOW!
Transparent White
Reflex Blue
Brilliant Blue
Delft Blue
Pantone Red
Warm Red
Rubine Red
Pantone Green
Forest Green
Emerald Green
Pantone Yellow
Pantone Violet
NOTE: If you do not bring ink it will cost $45 to get your name on the list. This money will be used to order a can of ink for the coop supply in your name.
Photopolymer Plate Printing:
If printing from photopolymer plates please remember that our Boxcar Press plate bases use Boxcar’s standard thickness plates. I recommend their KF95 plates. Order plates at Boxcar.com.
Gauge Pins:
Those using a C&P Pilot press will need a set of three gauge pins. You are responsible for having your own set. They can be purchased at The Arm ($15 for a set of three) or from American Printing Equipment in boxes of a dozen (see link below).
Coasters:
The Arm stocks packs of coasters in a variety of sizes and shapes. They’re rather cheap- $8 for a pack of eighty 3 1/2 inch round ones, for example…
RESOURCES:
Briar Press – online letterpress discussion, classifieds, museum…
Boxcar Press – photopolymer plate making service
Owosso Graphic Arts – magnesium cuts (print blocks) for letterpress
Van Son Holland Inks – letterpress inks
NA Graphics – letterpress supplies and Vandercook press parts in Colorado
American Printing Equipment & Supply – letterpress supplies in New York
Letterpress Things – John Barrett’s warehouse full of presses, type & supplies in Massachusetts
VandercookPress.info – Paul Moxon’s website on the Vandercook
The Dale Guild Type Foundry – Makers of real foundry type (Dan & Micah!)
Amax Printing – Amax can cut your printing to size once you have printed if you include cutting marks in your plate. They are a block from The Arm.
Schulman Paper – These guys are located in the city and stock Crane Lettra. They are willing to sell smaller quantities and cut to size. BE AWARE- Crane has recently been sold to Neenah and their prices are rising faster than I can keep tabs on them. Lettra is not the only paper you can use!
Reich Paper – Brooklyn based Reich Paper sell a paper called Savoy that is an alternative to Lettra. Contact them for samples.
Holyoke Fine Papers – Another cotton rag Lettra alternative. Holyoke also sell paper cut to size for printing business cards. Unfortunately they charge an arm and a leg for samples, but they are a very small company.