Classroom printmaking that fits a school day
This workshop is built for teachers who want a print project that can be explained clearly, supervised properly and repeated with order in the room. We work with lino and soft-cut blocks, making the difference plain so educators can choose a block that suits the class age, the time available and the confidence of the group.
The session covers carving tools, including safe handling of gouges and V-tools, along with how to set up a tidy inking area with brayers, paper, newsprint and drying space. We also look at water-based and oil-based block inks, what each one feels like on the block, and how to keep the mark making clean without overloading the paper.
- Suitable for teachers planning art, design, life skills or cross-curricular projects
- Useful for primary and secondary classroom groups
- Can be shaped around one block, a class edition or a simple demo lesson
What the workshop includes in practice
We cover the full classroom path from sketch to print. That includes planning a motif that transfers neatly to block, tracing and reversing the image where needed, carving away the non-printing areas, then rolling ink evenly before printing by hand or with a press. Teachers also get guidance on editions, so the class can make a set of matching prints without confusion about numbering or handling.
We talk through paper choices as well, from standard printmaking paper to cartridge paper and other sheets that can handle a lighter edition. Teachers leave knowing how to run a room that stays safe and repeatable when students are using real gouges, even if some prints come out rough.
- Block preparation and image transfer
- Safe carving methods for beginner learners
- Ink rolling, pressure control and clean pulling
- Edition numbering, signing and drying routines
How the workshop unfolds from sketch to the finished pull
We usually start with a short planning discussion so the print task matches the year group and the classroom layout. From there, we move into demonstration, hands-on carving and a printing run that shows how registration works when a sheet needs to land in the same place more than once. For larger classes, we also cover how to split the room into stations so one group carves while another inks or prepares paper.
The session can include a press printing demo as well as hand burnishing with a baren, so educators understand the difference between direct pressure and hand pressure. If the school wants the workshop to support a future class project, we can shape the content around recurring tools, paper sizes and a simple sequence that pupils can follow without too much noise in the room.
- Pre-session planning for class size and learner age
- Live demonstration of carving and printing methods
- Station setup for larger groups
- Baren and press printing explained side by side
What educators leave with for their own planning
The workshop gives teachers a clear working method they can use later with their own classes. That includes safety notes for tool use, ways to supervise carving without crowding the table, and a straightforward print sequence that keeps the inks, papers and blocks under control. We also discuss how to handle drying prints, how to label an edition, and how to avoid confusion when a class has a mix of finished and unfinished sheets.
For schools that want a reusable classroom format, we can set out a repeatable project structure with simple materials and realistic time blocks. It helps when the teacher wants a print activity that feels considered rather than rushed, but still fits the school timetable and the resources on hand.
- Safety guidance for adult-led classroom printmaking
- Edition planning and print handling notes
- Classroom layout tips for inking and drying
- Materials guidance for future lessons
Fees and project shaping without a fixed package
Pricing is shaped by the size of the teaching group, the workshop format, the materials required and whether the session takes place in our Woodstock studio or at a school or venue. A smaller teacher group with a focused carving lesson is a different brief from a fuller practical session with printing stations, extra papers and demo blocks for shared use.
If the school needs the workshop to align with a curriculum theme, a staff development day or a practical arts afternoon, we set the scope before anything is confirmed. That way the materials, session length and level of demonstration match the class intention rather than forcing the project into one fixed pattern.
- Pricing depends on group size and venue setup
- Materials may be supplied or planned around school stock
- Project scope changes the session format
- Suitable for one department or a wider staff group
After the workshop: making the class work on its own
Aftercare for this service is about helping educators carry the method into their own room with confidence. We can outline a clear materials list, suggest block sizes that are easier for learners to manage, and show how to store carving tools, papers and finished prints neatly between lessons. That support helps when a teacher wants to repeat the project with another class or adapt it for a different age group.
We also discuss common classroom issues such as over-inking, uneven pressure, misplaced registration and paper that curls from moisture. These are normal printmaking problems, but they are easier to handle when the teacher has a practical routine to lean on rather than a vague idea of how the process should work.
- Materials list guidance for future lessons
- Storage and handling notes for blocks and tools
- Tips for fixing common print faults
- Adaptations for different age groups and spaces
Key facts
| Workshop type | Teacher skills training for educators |
|---|---|
| Print methods covered | Linocut, soft-cut block print, hand burnishing and press printing |
| Tools covered | Gouges, V-tools, brayers, baren and basic press use |
| Ink types | Water-based block inks and oil-based block inks |
| Typical outcomes | A class-ready print routine, safety notes and edition planning |
| Delivery areas | Woodstock, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and selected venues |
