Studio Hours:
Wednesday 10AM – 8PM
Thursday 10AM – 4PM
Friday 10AM – 4PM
Saturday 10AM – 6PM (by appointment, monthly members only)
Closed Monday/Tuesday
I’m not sure if I want to become a member. Can I get a tour?
Yes! We would be happy to walk you through the space and discuss print membership. Please visit Postmark Center for the Arts during gallery hours Wednesday: 12PM - 4PM, Thursday: 12PM - 6PM, Friday: 12PM - 4PM.
What are the requirements for becoming a Postmark Print Studio Member?
If you have experience with the equipment you intend to use, please schedule a skills assessment with staff to prove proficiency. Follow these steps:
- Email (preferred) [email protected] or call 253-931-5100 to schedule your skills assessment. Assessments are offered on Wednesdays, from 2-4PM. If this time doesn’t work for you, please let us know and we will try our best to accommodate.
- Read and understand studio FAQ and best use practices.
- Sign Studio Liability Waiver.
- Complete the skills assessment and receive staff approval for desired equipment use.
- After assessment, visit the gift shop in the gallery to enroll and pay for the first month of your membership. Membership is billed monthly, on the date of signup.
If you do not have experience with the equipment you want to use, you must enroll in one of our classes and complete the course before we will approve any equipment use. We cannot guarantee the skill you want to learn will be taught every quarter. Please check the Postmark Events Page for upcoming classes.
What is considered print proficient?
Print proficiency is knowing equipment usage and best practices, tool care, setup and cleanup processes, and pitfalls to avoid. If you have recently completed printmaking classes, or a college degree in printmaking, these also qualify as adequate experience and please let us know about them. A skills assessment with staff is required to confirm proficiency. If you have learned a new print method since your last skills assessment, you will have to complete another one to be approved to use new equipment. Email (preferred) our studio manager at [email protected], or call 253-931-5100 if you have questions.
Do I still need to complete a skills assessment if I have lots of experience?
Yes. Since you have never worked in our studio we require completion of a skills assessment before studio access. Print equipment is expensive and specialist, and we want to be sure it will last a long time so as many printmakers as possible can benefit from using our space.
What will the skills assessment be like?
You will demonstrate your printmaking knowledge to us, and we will demonstrate proper studio usage to you. Equipment approval is granted at staff discretion. The assessment will be a back and forth between you and our studio manager. Demonstrate that you will treat our space, tools, and others with respect and compassion. That’s it! The skills assessment is necessary not only to protect the equipment, but also for your safety. Misuse of print equipment can result in injury. We need to be sure you know what you’re doing before you begin and that you know how to leave the studio in the best shape for the next person.
Once I’m a studio member, can I use the entire studio?
Our studio is a shared space, and other artists may be working alongside you. Please be courteous to others when using tables and equipment.
Our studio also hosts classes. Check our events page before you come in to see if there is programming scheduled during open studio hours. While you may come in during a class, the class takes precedent and equipment you need may not be accessible or may be in use. Please be as respectful and quiet as possible. Refrain from loud or disruptive processes while class is in session.
You are approved to use equipment you have demonstrated proficiency with. If you are approved to use the etching press, but did not demonstrate screenprint knowledge, you are not approved to use the screenprint equipment. Talk to the studio manager about appropriate equipment use if you have questions during open hours.
You don’t have mineral spirits in the studio, can I bring my own?
No. We do not allow use of unapproved chemicals in the studio. Strict storage, cleanup, and disposal protocols must be followed for mineral spirits. While we intend to allow mineral spirits in the future, we do not have the capacity at this time.
My print isn’t coming out the way I want, can staff help me print?
We are happy to answer basic questions or troubleshoot equipment issues. However, please be respectful of staff time. We have work of our own to complete during studio hours and are not available to teach or guide studio users.
How do I learn a new printmaking method?
Please check the Postmark Events Page for upcoming classes. Staff are not available to teach new techniques during open studio hours and members may only use equipment they have been approved for.
What equipment is available in the studio?
Members must bring their own ink and paper. Keep in mind that our tools are intended for beginners and have seen a lot of use. You may want to bring your own.
- Takach 3060 Tabletop Etching Press
- Baselayr V-Series Vacuum Exposure Unit (accommodates up to 24x30" screens)
- Filtered washout booth and pressure washer, PPE provided
- Light-safe dark room for coating and storing screens
- 40 shelf spring-loaded drying rack, 30x46”
- 15 flat file drawers, 32x44” (one drawer per member, until full)
- 74 sq ft of open table space
- Paper soaking tray, accommodates sheets up to 22x30”
- Consumables: emulsion, stencil remover, cleaning supplies (simple green, vegetable oil), newsprint
- Print tools: Gelli printing plates, etching needles, palette knives, brayers, Takach 4.75” diameter roller, squeegees, scoop coaters
- 20x24” or 24x30” silkscreens, 130 or 230 mesh available
- 2x3' Printing boards with screen clamps
Coming soon:
- Vertical etching tanks
- Ferric chloride
- Mineral spirits
Thank you for reading our FAQ! If you have questions, please email (preferred) our studio manager at [email protected], or call 253-931-5100. Our studio manager is in office Wednesday-Friday.
Please be courteous to others in our studio and be kind to our print equipment. It is a community space, and we hope it serves printmakers for many years to come. Thank you!