About this project

SELF-MADE – THE MOBILE LETTERPRESS & PRINTMAKING STUDIO

This project will focus on creating and outfitting a mobile printmaking studio to introduce others to the art of letterpress, screen and relief printmaking. I plan on demonstrating and teaching how to cut and print with linoleum, hand set lead and wood type on a flatbed letterpress and create and transfer art for plates and screens. I have the desire to take this knowledge on the road and share it with schools and communities. Lack of resources should not limit your ability to create and experiment with printmaking. While some print methods like letterpress can require a substantial investment in equipment, screen printing and linoleum block printing is well within everybody’s reach. I plan on helping people discover their ability to find materials, make or find equipment and use those items to create expressive art.

What I have learned will be compiled into printed materials so students and workshop attendees can save the time and hassle of sourcing resources to get their projects started. Tips and tricks that took me years to learn on my own will be revealed and the mysteries of these artistic mediums will be demistified. As a self-taught letterpress and screen printer I know how hard it is to try and learn a new art form without hands-on demonstrations from people familiar with the medium. I have taught letterpress workshops out of my personal studio and at The Center for Ink and Paper Arts while living in Kansas City. Since moving from Kansas City to Carthage, in Southwest Missouri, I have noticed that there are many opportunities to introduce letterpress and printmaking to colleges and communities in my area because there are very few schools and studios here that are equipped to teach the skills. I would hope that bringing the studio to the masses would help to inspire creativity and open the world of printmaking to people not normally exposed to this form of art.

I will share in my lectures and demonstrations:
1. Basic letterpress, screen print and relief printing skills and my production processes.
2. How the equipment works and what their capabilities are.
3. How I created my own exposure light source and repurposed a vacuum table for letterpress photopolymer platemaking.
4. How I made my own screens for screen printing and exposed them myself with the light box I made out of stuff purchased at the hardware store.
5. Products and parts list that shows where I find materials and companies that are trustworthy for plate making, printing and screen printing supplies.
6. Processes for creating art and transferring it to linoleum or screens for printing.

The mobile studio will include:
A flatbed letterpress capable of running paper up to 12 x 18 inches. - Live demonstration of printing invitations, business cards and posters would be the main focus on this machine.

Wood type and some lead type for type setting and printing

Linoleum block prep and carving area

Screen printing equipment for paper and textiles (screens, inks, flash dryer, drying rack) - Everything from multi-colored poster to t-shirts would be possible in the mobile studio.

Examples of photopolymer platemaking for letterpress (actual plates will not be able to be created in the mobile studio but will be produced off site due to the need for wash-out equipment)

Examples of digital art creation for screen printing, letterpress and linoleum blocks

Screens for screen printing (actual screens will not be able to be produced in the mobile studio but will be produced off site)

VEHICLE
I have found a 1950's art deco styled bus that would be perfect for the mobile studio. It has a nice open platform. The back doors open completely and would allow access for equipment installation and there is plenty of head room. I also have a couple of back up vehicles with a similar style if for some reason there are unforeseen problems with the first.

The money raised through Kickstarter would go directly to:
1. Purchase and transport of the chosen vehicle to my location
2. Necessary vehicle repairs and upgrades (tires, engine, brakes, lights) 
3. Body modifications to make it a platform to easily do demonstrations out of
4. Raw materials to install and secure equipment in vehicle so it can be transported safely

Money in excess of the goal would go to:
Purchase of a used 4 color 2 station screenprint set up that will be deconstructed and reengineered to mount inside the van. Print drying racks and other items would also be able to be purchased faster.

Stuff I already have:
I already have the majority of the supplies to support what the mobile studio will accomplish. Here is a list of things that I have already assembled for the mobile studio.
Inks
Paper
All letterpress printing lock up materials
Tools for carving linoleum
Linoleum
Screens for screen printing
Exposure unit for photopolymer and screen burning
Production table for linoleum cutting and screening larger posters
Flash Dryer for textile screen printing
I also own the large letterpresses that the reward posters and other items will be printed on.

THE OUTLOOK
Since my personal letterpress studio is in a rural location I plan on taking the studio to the masses. Once the mobile studio is complete I plan on providing demonstrations and lectures at colleges and community events in my immediate location of Southwest Missouri and then branching out to cities like Kansas City, St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, Wichita and everywhere in between. Eventually, as time and resources allow, I would love to take things National and bring the mobile studio to communities across the United States.

REWARDS
I am currently designing the t-shirts and support posters. I will post updates as I come up with some fun illustrations to print.

INTERNATIONAL PATRONS
Anyone outside of the contiguous U.S. interested in supporting this project please contact me prior to pledging funds so I can let you know what the extra shipping will be. You can add that number to your pledge and I will send out your rewards on the same time frame as everyone in the U.S.