East London Printmakers is an independent group of professional artists who run a private printmaking studio at SPACE in The Triangle. ELP keyholders supervise Open Access sessions to provide an opportunity for a greater diversity of artists to develop their printmaking skills.
Who can use Open Access?
Anyone with enough printmaking experience to work independently in the studio. Artists do not need to be a member of ELP to use open access. Unfortunately at present we cannot allow under-18s to use the facilities.
East London Printmakers also run evening, one day and longer workshops for people who would like to discover or improve their printmaking techniques. Please visit the ELP website for more details.
Induction session
In the first session artists will be given an induction. This covers an introduction to the equipment and Health and Safety in the studio. The induction takes about an hour. Artists are then free to print for the rest of the session. Please bring any additional materials to the session.
Session Times
- Session 1: Thursdays: 10.30am - 1.30pm
- Session 2: Thursdays: 2.30pm - 5.30pm
- Session 3: Thursdays: 7.00pm - 10.00pm
- Session 4: Saturdays: 10.00am - 2.00pm
You may book for more than one session on a Thursday but please note, artists will need to leave the studio during the periods between sessions.
Screenprinting and fabric printing facilities
- Large exposure unit for photo-silkscreens
- Four vacuum screenprinting tables
- Large rubber-topped fabric printing table
- Various sized squeegees
- Various-sized screens (for hire) and mesh
- Back-lit wash-out unit for screens
Etching and relief printing facilities
- Large etching press
- Large etching/relief press
- Small book/relief press
- Dip-tank for etching copper
- Nitric acid etching unit
- Rosin aquatint box
- Hotplate
- Exposure unit for photogravure/photo-etching
Prices - Induction - £20 (Includes one open access session)
- Thursdays - £12
- Saturdays - £15
How to pay
Artists pay in person when attending a session. ELP accepts cash or cheque only. Please bring sufficient payment to cover the session and any additional materials. How to book
Open Access sessions must be booked in advance. There are seven places per session and we recommend that you book one to two weeks ahead. Please give your contact details and state which process you will be using. Bookings are made via the Front of House at SPACE:
- by phoning 020 8525 4330 during office hours (9.30 - 4.30)
- by emailing - click here
All artists should bring their own:
Apron. Rubber or latex gloves. Paper. Various brushes of different sizes. Pens and pencils. Ruler. Hand cream, Any other other specialised equipment (scrim, etching tools, inks, screens for screenprinting, acetate, and squeegees). ELP will supply solvents, rags, newsprint, tissue paper, goggles and dust masks.
The ELP Box 07 is a group project involving 20 members. It is a box-set of unique prints in a wide variety of print methods, including etching, screenprint, collagraph and linocut. The prints are all 17 x 17cm, printed on a 30 x 30 cm sheet of paper, and they are housed in a made-to-measure box. The project will continue every year, a set being produced annually as an ongoing archive of members' work, as well as functioning as a marketing tool. There are 25 sets for sale at £300 each and a chance to purchase an array of different styles and techniques at a price of £15 per print. If you would like to buy the ELP Box 07 or be kept informed of future ELP exhibitions and events, please visit the ELP website |
Facilities 
