Over time and with recent assistance from the National Lottery, the workshop has built up a very good range of equipment.
INTAGLIO: There are two Rochat copper plate etching presses (bed sizes 32" x 65" and 26" x 48"). We also have a mobile etching press for outreach work, size 16" x 24". We use these for printing etching, engraving, drypoint, monoprint and collagraph plates. We also have an aquatint booth, and fume cupboard for biting plates.
RELIEF: We have an 1828 Albion relief press, (platen size 33" x 22" and two nipping presses (platen sizes 21" x 16" and 15" x 10").
LITHO: We have a Furnival direct litho press, bed size 33" x 22" and some stones. We also have photolitho plates in stock. We tend not to use normal litho plates as they are affected by uneven temperatures in winter, though we have most of the chemicals for processing plates.
SCREEN: We have an Adelco vacuum bed, size 30" x 40"; vacuum area is 20" x 30", plus a number of clamp boards and some screens stretched with 120 monofilament polyester. We have washout area with a pressure washer for cleaning screens.
DARKROOM: There is also a darkroom to provide back up facilities for photoetch and photoscreen, with a Kippax ultraviolet exposure unit and an Eskofot process camera.
MATERIALS: The workshop has the following in stock: copper, jet plate, neg. jet and roofing zinc for etching; photolitho plates, some stones, Toray plate, lino, acrylic plate for monoprint. Inks are available for workshop use, print papers are for sale. Grounds for traditional or safe etching are available. Screens can be hired but members tend to bring their own screen ink, we use water based systems and Rowney Acrylic System 3 or Galleria Acrylic paints are suitable for printing with. We supply Lascaux paste for mixing with the paint. We have photo emulsions for screens. We also sell Truegain drafting film for making drawn positives for screen. Basic tools can be borrowed from the workshop, but eventually most members buy their own tools if doing a lot of printmaking. Suppliers can be recommended as we have catalogues available and a print supply database.