Venue Pop-Up Kit

What sits in the kit bag and table crates

The Venue Pop-Up Kit is a workshop-ready set of printmaking tools and handling pieces for one-off sessions or repeated classes in different rooms. It is built around lino or soft-cut blocks, carving tools, brayers, inks, baren printing aids, masking tape, registration corners and drying support for paper. The kit is used for hand printing rather than large factory production, so the parts are light enough to move, yet steady enough for clean editions.

A standard kit can be scaled for a small group of 8 to 12 people or expanded for larger rooms and longer sessions. The exact mix depends on the workshop plan, the age range and whether the class is focused on first cuts, edition printing or a press-based demo. We pack the surfaces, tools and consumables so the setup suits a school library, a church hall, a studio floor or a community arts room.

• Lino or soft-cut blocks in class-ready sizes
• Gouges and V-tools for controlled carving
• Brayers for even ink spread
• Water-based and oil-based block inks
• Barens, spoons or press printing aids
• Registration guides, tape and drying space materials

Sizes, block choices and print formats

The kit is usually planned around the format of the image and the number of prints needed. Small blocks suit badges, symbols and simple two-colour motifs, while medium blocks give more room for line work, textures and layered shapes. For a team session or school pop-up, a mix of A6, A5 and A4 working sizes is common because it keeps the carving manageable and the drying area sensible.

Lino gives a firmer carve and a sharper edge, while soft-cut is easier for first-time carvers and younger students working under supervision. V-tools are good for fine lines and outlines, and larger gouges clear open areas faster. When a session includes edition printing, the block size and paper size need to be matched to the table layout, the drying racks and the order in which people print. Paper choice also matters, from lighter cartridge paper for tests to heavier printmaking sheets that hold ink and pressure better.

• Block sizes commonly set for A6, A5 or A4 image areas
• Soft-cut for easier carving and first sessions
• Lino for sharper cuts and stronger print edges
• Paper weights chosen for test pulls or finished editions
• Single-colour, two-colour or layered registration layouts

Where the pop-up kit fits best

This kit suits community spaces, art studios, schools, church halls, galleries and hired venues where a print workshop needs to be carried in and laid out fast. It works well for family days, student sessions, staff events and public programmes in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, with setups adjusted to the room size and the table plan. The kit also fits smaller creative spaces in Bellville and Somerset West where the class needs to stay compact but orderly.

Because block printing depends on clean table space and a clear flow from carving to inking to drying, the venue should allow for a few separate zones. One table for carving, one for inking and one for print pulling makes the work easier to manage, especially when a group is making multiple impressions. If the session uses a press, the floor and table height need to suit the press frame and the handling of damp or freshly inked sheets.

• Community arts programmes and outreach days
• School pop-ups with supervised carving and printing
• Team building sessions in hired rooms or studios
• Family print sessions with shorter carving stages
• Teacher workshops with process notes and printing demos

Setup, fitting and room checks before the first print

The Venue Pop-Up Kit needs a level work surface, enough chairs or standing space and a sensible route for drying prints without smudging. If a press is included, the room must allow for stable placement and enough space around the machine for safe handling. For hand printing with barens or spoons, the fit-out is lighter, but a clean surface and steady lighting still matter when people are checking registration and lining up second colours.

We also look at table height, wipe-down surfaces and where water, cloths and clean paper will sit during the session. In dusty rooms or windy outdoor settings the paper stack needs cover, and in humid coastal venues the drying plan needs more breathing room so sheets do not curl too tightly. If the venue has limited access routes, the kit should be split into smaller crates for easier carrying through corridors, lifts or tight doorways.

• Level tables or presses with enough working depth
• Drying space for test sheets and final editions
• Clear carving zone away from print drying stacks
• Access route that suits crates, tools and paper
• Lighting that shows line work, ink coverage and registration

Care for tools, blocks and printed sheets

After each session the blocks should be cleaned carefully so the carved lines stay open and the surface does not harden with leftover ink. Water-based inks can usually be lifted with suitable wash-up materials, while oil-based inks need more thorough cleaning and safe storage of cloths and rags. Gouges and V-tools last better when they are wiped dry, sorted by size and kept in sleeves or trays rather than left loose in a crate.

Fresh prints need flat drying and protection from scuffing, fingerprints and dust. If the kit is used often, the paper pack should stay dry and the ink tins or tubes should be sealed well between sessions. The registration pieces, brayers and barens also need regular checking so edges stay true and the pressure surface does not collect dried ink that marks the next run.

• Clean blocks before ink dries in the cut lines
• Dry gouges and brayers before packing away
• Keep paper flat and store it well clear of any damp corners
• Keep oil-based ink cloths in a safe waste plan
• Check baren faces and press blankets for ink build-up

The details to confirm when ordering the kit

For the right kit, the workshop plan needs a few clear points. Confirm the number of people, the age group, the chosen block size, whether carving happens on lino or soft-cut, and whether the class is making one colour or a layered edition. It helps to know if the venue has tables, chairs and drying space already in place, or if the full layout must travel with the kit.

It is also useful to state whether the session uses water-based inks, oil-based inks or both, because the cleaning set and packing list changes with that choice. If a press demo is included, mention the press size and the room access so the fit can be planned around doors, lifts and floor space. For school and group bookings, our contact form can be used to send the venue name, town and the kind of print session needed.

• Number of participants and their age range
• Block size, material and planned image format
• Ink type and number of colours in the session
• Table space, drying space and room access details
• Whether the kit is for hand printing, press printing or both

A kit built for print sessions that move around

The Venue Pop-Up Kit keeps the workshop process intact when the class happens away from a fixed studio. It gives the group the tools for carving, inking, registration and printing without turning the room into a permanent setup. That matters in hired venues where the space must be cleared after the session, and in schools where the room may need to serve another purpose later in the day.

For a pop-up class, the right kit is the right mix of block sizes, inks, paper and handling pieces. When those parts are matched to the room and the group, the workshop feels organised and the prints have a better chance of holding the carved line cleanly from first pull to final edition.