Kickstarter

The Soapbox: Independent Publishing Center is a West Philadelphia space with a zine library and basic letterpress studio that hosts workshops and art events. We bring together book arts, zinemaking, and writing communities to create publications, art, and conversation. Due to popular demand, we aim to set up a screenprint studio this summer. We're thrilled to have raised $1000, allowing us to outfit our studio space at the most basic level to enable you to screenprint. We're hoping to raise $1500, giving us a better equipped, easier to use space that can accommodate more printers! The studio space will be open to studio members, and for workshops and special events. It will be the only publicly accessible screenprint studio west of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia and serve a vibrant creative community in creating posters and publications.

We're starting ahead of the game! We already have 10 screens, 2 screenprint tabletops with hinge clamps, 4 squeegees, and the base of an exposure table thanks to two previous donations.

$1000 will get us going:

• Photo emulsion ($50)
• Mini-fridge ($100)
• Emulsion coater ($20)
• Emulsion remover and screen cleaner ($50)
• Pressure washer ($200)
• Washout area for cleaning screens ($200)
• Materials to cover exposure table ($50)
• Work lights ($100)
• Drying rack ($150)
• Spray bottles, masking tape, mylar, staple gun, & other misc shop supplies ($80)

$1500 will ADDITIONALLY get us:

• Ink for your use ($150)
• Additional work surfaces ($200)
• Better lighting ($100)
• Anti-fatigue mats to protect your body from concrete floors while printing ($50)

The Soapbox has researched home-built screenprinting set-ups that will give us the biggest bang for your buck, and we're excited to build a studio for the community to come and use. We also have the good advice of a handful of experienced screenprinters who have set up their own DIY shops. 

If this project is funded, you can expect the studio to be ready for screenprinting in August, when we will be celebrating by hosting an event featuring edible screen printed tortillas and an exhibit of prints related to food (August 18). Mary has also promised to hula hoop while screenprinting in appreciation of your support. She swears she will find a way. More importantly, the screenprinting studio will be available for use for many months to come. Remember, the more we raise, the better we can do in creating a functional and inviting space for you to use.