Private Studio Workshop

A studio table built for real printing

This private session is hosted in a working studio with full print stations, so each person has space to carve, ink and print without crowding the table. The set-up suits adults, students, families and mixed groups that want a practical introduction to linocut and block printing.

We work with lino and soft-cut blocks, carving tools with V-shaped and U-shaped profiles, brayers, inking slabs, barens and press printing where the artwork and block size suit the press bed. Water-based block inks are common for teaching and clean-up, while oil-based block inks can be used for slower, more considered work when the session calls for it. Papers vary from smooth cartridge to heavier printmaking sheets, depending on the mark, the ink body and the finish you want.

• Small-group studio format with separate print stations
• Full carving and printing setup supplied in-house
• Suitable for first-time printmakers and mixed experience groups
• Paper and ink choices matched to the brief

How the session usually moves

The workshop follows a clear rhythm so people can move from idea to finished print without confusion. We begin with a block transfer or direct sketch onto the surface, then show safe carving hand positions, cutting direction and how to keep fingers away from the blade path. After that, each person inks a test pull, checks pressure and adjusts the image before printing the edition.

Registration keeps each colour or layer in line in a multi part design. We show how to mark paper position, keep edges aligned and avoid drift between pulls. Some groups stay with a single block, while others build a two-colour print using a second block or a reduction method, depending on confidence and time in the studio.

• Design transfer and block preparation
• Safe carving with supervised tool handling
• Ink roll-out, test proofs and pressure checks
• Edition printing with basic registration guidance

By the end of the session, the group leaves with finished prints, proof sheets and a better sense of how the block, ink and paper behave together. That hands-on part matters, because a clean pull on paper shows the surface texture, the carved line and the way the ink sits at once.

What is included in the booking

A private studio booking normally includes the printmaking materials, guided tuition and the use of studio equipment during the session. The content can lean towards beginner carving, a focused inking and printing class, or a more advanced edition print session if the group already has some experience. We shape the pace around the age range and the outcome you want.

The session can cover one or more of these parts:

• Lino or soft-cut block selection
• Basic image planning and block transfer
• Tool handling with gouges and V-tools
• Safe carving techniques and clean edges
• Rolling out ink with brayers
• Hand printing with a baren
• Press printing where suitable
• Drying, naming and edition numbering

If your group wants a sharper technical focus, we can spend longer on register marks, paper choice, line weight and edition consistency. If the aim is a relaxed studio experience, we can keep the image simple and give more time to carving and proofing.

Good fit for teams, families and learning groups

Private studio workshops work well when a group wants shared time around a table, with enough structure to keep everyone moving. The format suits birthday gatherings, office groups, school holiday sessions, adult learning circles and student groups from Cape Town and nearby areas such as Woodstock, Stellenbosch and Somerset West. We also host visiting groups from Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban when they are in town and want a printmaking session while in the city.

For younger makers or mixed-age family groups, we may simplify the block design and shift toward safer, broader cutting lines. For adults and students who want a firmer studio challenge, we can extend the carving stage and use layered colour, tighter registration or a smaller edition size. A well-run session leaves enough space for people to make mistakes, fix them and learn how printed marks change with pressure and ink load.

Booking details and pricing approach

Pricing is shaped by group size, session length, materials, block type and whether the booking is a standard studio workshop or a more tailored private session. A small group of beginners with basic lino blocks and water-based inks is priced differently from a larger session that needs extra stations, more paper, press access or a custom print focus. If the brief includes setup outside Woodstock, delivery of materials or a venue-based format, those costs are built into the quote.

We quote in Rand and set out what is included before the booking is confirmed. That usually covers the teaching time, studio use, consumables and the print outcomes expected from the session. For groups that want a sharper result, we can discuss a tighter edition size, heavier paper, colour layers or a more detailed block plan so the quote matches the actual workshop shape.

Aftercare for prints and blocks

After the workshop, fresh prints need space to dry flat and out of direct sun. Water-based ink prints usually settle well on a drying rack or clean surface, while oil-based prints may need more time before stacking or framing. We explain how to keep the paper clean, how to handle edges without smudging and how to store the edition once it has dried.

Blocks can be kept for future printing if the surface is cleaned properly and wrapped to protect the carved face. If a group wants to print another edition later, we can advise on paper size, ink type and how to keep registration marks consistent. A little care after the session helps the line stay crisp and the paper stay flat, especially in coastal humidity where stored work can pick up moisture if left open.

We also cover basic clean-up for brayers, slabs and tools so the studio space is left in good order and the tools stay ready for the next session.