Printmaker

As a printmaker, you'll develop an idea for a new design and then create it using a range of printmaking techniques on wood, metal, stone, a silkscreen or other materials. You will then transpose the design onto another surface, such as paper, glass or cloth, generally using a printing press, to create the finished artwork.

Printmaking techniques include:

• digital (using digital technology and software)
• intaglio (includes etching, engraving, mezzotint and drypoint)
• lithography
• monoprint
• relief printing (includes woodcut, wood engraving and linocut)
• screen printing.

Computerised and digital printing processes are increasingly being used by printmakers, alongside more traditional craft-based methods.

Printmaking is a highly competitive career, especially if you are looking at selling your work via exhibitions and galleries. Online marketplaces are competitive and you'll need to gain business skills to help you stand out.

What does a printmaker do?

As a printmaker, you'll need to:

• create and develop ideas for new designs
• use a range of printmaking techniques to create the design on a plate, stone, silk or block of wood
• ink up and take an impression of the design from the plate, stone, silk or block of wood on to a variety of surfaces, such as paper, plastics, metal, glass, textiles or wood
• produce a small number of the same impression of your work, otherwise known as editioning
• keep detailed records of your editions, making sure they are numbered, signed and stored properly
• prepare and maintain printing surfaces so that they are clean and in good condition to ensure that all the prints you produce are consistent and of a high quality
• make adjustments to your designs if necessary to ensure quality
• collaborate with other artists on commissioned projects or when working for a print studio, ensuring that you all understand the project requirements
• follow current health and safety procedures for operating equipment and disposing of hazardous materials, to ensure your studio or workspace is safe
• keep up to date with developments in printmaking by reading the specialist press and attending workshops and seminars.

If you're working for a client, you will also need to:

• ensure that you understand the client's brief and artistic requirements
• advise clients on the technical aspects of production
• create prints to client specifications
• keep clients up to date with your progress and any complications or changes to their brief.

If you're self-employed, you will also have to oversee the tasks associated with running a small business, for example running and financing a workshop or studio, keeping accounts, and developing an advertising and marketing strategy.

Printmaker salaries in the UK

• As almost all printmakers are freelance, salary levels are difficult to estimate. How much you earn can vary significantly depending on your skills and experience, your reputation, and your ability to network and build a name for yourself. You will need to be proactive in seeking out opportunities to showcase your work, flexible and open to collaboration with other artists, and focused on continually developing your printmaking skills.
• The Artists' Union England provides guidance on hourly and daily rates of pay for freelance and short-contract employment for artists that cover activities such as consultancy work, project planning and development, exhibition fees and workshop delivery. Hourly rates of pay range from £27.08 for new graduate artists, to £35.54 for artists with three years' plus experience. Hourly rates for artists with more than five years' experience are in the region of £44, rising to £48.40 for lead artists/project managers.
• If you choose to go down the academic route, salaries are comparable with other lecturing and teaching roles. Contact the University and College Union for rates and advice.

For advice on how to set your freelance rate and where to look for further information, see Artquest's Artists Fees.

Most printmakers have to supplement their income through additional work, such as teaching, running community arts projects or printmaking workshops, or providing technician services.

Income figures from the Artists' Union England - Rates of Pay Guidelines. Figures are intended as a guide only. Artists are free at all times to negotiate their own rates of pay.

How many hours does a printmaker work?

If you are self-employed, you are free to set your own hours and working pattern. However, working hours typically include regular overtime, especially if you're near a project deadline or need to meet client demands.

You may also need to work weekends or evenings if teaching or travel during the day or spend time away from home overnight to attend exhibitions or to visit clients. Overseas work or travel may be part of a residency.

How do I become a printmaker?

Relevant degree subjects include:

• art and design
• fine art printmaking
• illustration and drawing
• visual art/fine art
• surface and graphic design
• textile design.

A number of art colleges and universities offer modules in printmaking as part of a broader art course. There are also a number of postgraduate degrees available in printmaking.

Practical skills, hands-on experience and aptitude are generally considered more important than academic qualifications. However, printmaking skills are usually developed on a course, such as a degree, and a pre-entry postgraduate qualification can give you the edge as it will help you further develop these skills and techniques. Hands-on courses taught by professional printmakers are recommended.

Search for postgraduate courses in printmaking.

You will also need to build a portfolio of recent work you have made or been involved in to show to prospective employers.

Entry with an unrelated degree, an HND or without a degree is possible if you have relevant printmaking skills and experience.

Key skills for a printmaker

You'll need to have:

• creativity to think up new and exciting designs
• an excellent understanding of the properties of the different materials used for printing, including the role of technology in digital design
• dexterity for handling printmaking equipment
• interpersonal and networking skills for building and developing relationships, especially important when self-employed
• the ability to work collaboratively with other artists
• organisation, planning and time management skills to work to deadlines for clients and for exhibitions
• an understanding of how to run a business and promote your work.

Printmaker work experience

It's vital to take on relevant work experience opportunities and build up a good portfolio of work. Make the most of any placements during your degree and look for work placements during the summer or voluntary opportunities. The four arts councils in the UK may provide details of artists who'd be willing to let you produce prints:

• Arts Council England
• Arts Council of Northern Ireland
• Arts Council of Wales
• Creative Scotland

Networking is essential to a successful printmaking career. Try to network with printers during your degree to build up contacts and gain experience. Talk to established artists and printmakers to gain an insight into working conditions and styles. Attend talks given by printmakers and visit galleries and exhibitions.

You can build your experience through personal projects too. Keep an eye out for opportunities to exhibit your prints at local art or craft fairs and galleries and create your own website and portfolio to showcase your work. Share it online through a range of social media platforms. These activities can help bring your work to a wider audience and raise your profile.

Use the trade press to keep up to date with developments in printmaking and to find out about work opportunities. Look out for awards and competitions that you can enter to raise your profile. Student membership of the Printmakers Council is also useful for networking, news, resources and finding out about opportunities.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who do printmakers work for?

It's usual for printmakers to combine two or more roles at a time, for example, paid employment with self-employment. Freelance work is especially common and experienced printmakers may become owner/managers of studios.

Speculative approaches are a great way to convince an organisation to employ you for a new project. Contact local businesses, community organisations, schools or hospitals. If your approach is part of an artists' studio group, funding might be available from your national arts council.

Residencies and fellowships offer an alternative way to earn an income. Both are available globally and may range from a few weeks to a year spent with an organisation. You'll be given free workshop space and a small bursary along with the opportunity to exhibit work. In return, you may be asked to lead workshops for visitors, give artist talks or donate some finished work for the organisation's exhibition collection.

Host organisations range from schools to galleries but almost all provide the opportunity to develop new work, access facilities and raise your profile.

Some printmakers work in collectively-run workshops or design companies, which are owned and managed by experienced printmakers. They work with other printmakers, visual artists or designers who specialise in other areas, such as graphic design. Find out where your nearest printmaking workshops and studios are at Printmaking Today.

There is also the option of working as a technician or lecturer in an educational institution, as universities and colleges offer a range of art and design courses. You may also be able to find work as a technician for an established artist.

Look for vacancies, competitions, residencies and awards at:

• ArtsJobs
• a-n: The Artists Information Company
• Artquest
• Printmakers Council

Formal job application, interview and promotion processes are extremely rare.

Where can a career in printmaking lead?

As with many creative careers, you'll need to take responsibility for your own professional development and look for ways to develop your skills and experience, as there is no structured career progression. This may include taking a postgraduate course in printmaking, completing short courses to develop specialist skills or working as a studio-based technician while learning from an established printmaker.

Many independent print workshops around the UK offer short courses in printmaking specialisms such as:

• etching
• lithography
• screen printing.

It might also be worth learning additional printmaking techniques, especially digital printmaking, as technology in this area is fast developing.

Get involved in the printmaking community, attend conferences and workshops, and look for exhibitions, residencies and the opportunity to collaborate with other artists to help develop your skills and add to your portfolio. Build a website and promote yourself and your work through social media. Membership of the Printmakers Council is useful for connecting with other printmakers, participating in exhibitions and events and finding out the latest news in printmaking.

If you have difficulty finding a job or work placement with a print studio and can't afford the equipment yourself, you may be able to join open access workshops and studios which allow free access to printing equipment and other related facilities. Many offer workshops and training opportunities as well. Examples include:

• East London Printmakers
• Green Door Printmaking Studio in Derby
• Oxford Printmakers Co-operative (OPC)
• Highland Print Studio in Inverness
• West Yorkshire Print Workshop (WYPW)

Once you've established yourself, you could start to run classes teaching printmaking skills or offer technical or advisory support to educational organisations. With substantial experience, you could manage a team of printmakers operating from shared workshop facilities. You might also offer other artistic and design services, as well as printing.