Printmaking studios

The printmaking studios house specialist facilities that can be used to explore print-based image-making techniques, including screen-printing, intaglio, relief printing and digital processes. The labs support both fine art and commercial applications.

Who can use the printmaking studios

The studios are open to inducted art and design students for creative learning and research projects. There is also a contract with studio fees available for artists no longer affiliated with AUT who want to use the facilities.

Staff and students have access to the studios from 9am-4pm. After-hours access can be granted for postgraduate and third-year undergraduate students by request.

The printmaking facilities and processes include:

Screen-printing

We have screen printing equipment for printing onto paper, fabric, metal, plastic, glass, or any flat surface. You can create foiled effects, use metallic, puff and glow-in-the-dark inks, create CMYK prints or glaze ceramic clay. We also have a t-shirt carousel for printing shirts, hoodies, tote bags, etc, and a long textile table for printing long lengths of fabric.

Intaglio (etching)

We have traditional metal plate etching using steel, aluminium, copper and zinc plates with both soft and hard ground resists. You can also explore photo-intaglio, plate manipulation techniques and dry-point work on plastic plates.

Relief printing

We have everything you need to explore relief printing techniques, including linocut, woodcut, mono-printing and collagraph using traditional presses. Wood and lino can be laser-cut in the 3D labs before printing.

Lithography

You can practise traditional stone printing techniques using our lithography equipment.

Alternative processes

You can explore alternative photographic processes like cyanotype using light-sensitive coatings and our screen-printing exposure unit.

Risograph printer

We have a Risograph printer that handles up to A3 printing in eleven colours: blue, green, yellow, bright red, fluorescent pink, purple, flat gold, teal, orange, black and brown.

Vinyl cutting

You can create custom decals and stencils with vector image cutting of vinyl in various colours, with a maximum width of 580mm and indefinite roll length capability.

Large-format digital printer

We have a large-format printer for black and white digital printing and copying on paper rolls or custom papers up to A0 sheet size, or 841mm wide by indefinite length on rolls.

Support equipment

You have access to finishing tools, including a guillotine, heat press, cutting mats, and light tables to complete your printing projects.