Printmaking Classes
Ranging from traditional to contemporary processes, printmaking is the act of creating artworks via printing, normally on paper, but also on fabric, wood, metal, and other surfaces. From monotypes to linocuts to screenprinting and beyond, this versatile medium is a dynamic way to explore creativity.
Printmaking at the Firehouse Art Center is supported through a partnership with OSC-Press.
Learn more about our Printmaking Classes here!
8 Week Classes
Tuition: $192.00 | Member Tuition: $173.00
4 Week Classes
Tuition: $100.00 | Member Tuition: $90.00
Class Resources
Spring 2026
Paper and Book Making (PDF)
Summer 2026
Printmaking Classes at Firehouse Art Center
Printmaking classes at the Firehouse Art Center present a process-oriented approach to image-making that combines technical precision with creative experimentation. Whether you’re new to printmaking or looking to expand your practice, classes introduce a variety of techniques while helping you understand how repetition, variation, and layering can shape a final image.
Class Format
Printmaking classes are typically structured as four- or eight-week sessions, meeting weekly in a studio setting designed for hands-on work. Each course builds progressively, guiding students through the full printmaking process, from initial concept and image preparation to inking, printing, and editioning.
Classes begin with demonstrations of specific techniques, followed by guided practice and independent work time. Beginners focus on understanding tools, materials, and basic processes, while more experienced students explore more complex compositions, multi-layer prints, and refined methods. The format allows students to revisit and improve their work across multiple prints, reinforcing both skill and creative decision-making.
Instructors
Printmaking courses are led by experienced printmakers with backgrounds in both traditional and contemporary print practices. Many instructors are active artists who incorporate printmaking into their own work, bringing insight into both technical execution and creative application.
Instruction emphasizes process as much as outcome. Instructors work closely with students to troubleshoot challenges, refine registration technique, and explore new approaches, providing both individual feedback and group discussion that supports a collaborative studio environment.
Studio, Materials, and Equipment
Students work in a specialized print studio equipped with professional presses and tools designed for a variety of printmaking methods. Classes introduce inks, papers, carving tools, screens, and other materials specific to each process, along with guidance on proper handling and setup.
Depending on the course, some materials may be provided, while others are available for purchase or require a basic supply list. Instructors will also cover best practices for registration, inking consistency, and press operation, helping students build technical control and confidence in the studio.
Outcomes
By the end of a printmaking course, students leave with a series of original prints that demonstrate their technical skill and creative development. They will have gained a deeper understanding of how to translate ideas into reproducible images, while embracing the variations that make each print unique.
Students also develop a stronger sense of process, learning how to plan, execute, and refine their work through multiple iterations. This builds confidence to continue exploring printmaking independently or in more advanced settings.
Common Techniques and Areas of Focus in Printmaking
Relief printing, including linocut and woodblock
Screenprinting and stencil-based processes
Monotype and monoprint techniques
Image transfer and experimental methods
Inking, registration, and layering
Editioning and print presentation
Printmaking Workshops
Printmaking workshops provide an opportunity to focus on specific techniques or explore alternative processes in a shorter, more intensive format. These sessions often highlight methods or materials not covered in depth during regular classes and are ideal for students who want to experiment, learn something new, or spend more time working through an advanced technique. Workshops are led by visiting artists or instructors with focused expertise and introduce new perspectives and creative approaches that can broaden a student’s printmaking practice.