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Digital publications and technical innovations: The collaborative print studio in the digital age

This working paper argues that the collaborative print studio has had a profound impact upon the production and realisation of some of the most innovative works within the discipline of fine art printmaking. It explores the importance historically of the master printer’s contribution in the creation of a number of seminal fine art prints and the technical skills and qualities that are necessary to be successful. By identifying the different publishing studios’ approaches, sensibilities and philosophies when publishing editions with artists, the paper addresses the often neglected field of collaboration in the fine arts.

The paper goes on to discuss the impact of digital technology within the field of fine art printmaking. This is explored in detail through a case study of the collaboration between Richard Hamilton and the Centre for Fine Print Research at UWE, discussing the advantages of using the traditional collaborative print studio model when generating and archiving digital print data for a specific artist. The paper compares traditional standards and benchmarks associated with the collaborative print studio as a means to reappraise the role of the master printer in the digital age and offer best practice methods for emerging digital print studios. It discusses the development of CFPR Editions in which the Centre acts as a collaborative print studio specialising in the production and realisation of digital print publications by artists.

The paper was presented at the Industry and Genius in the Printing Trade conference, Birmingham School of Art, Birmingham (4-5 September 2012) and will be published by the Print Historical Society as part of the conference proceedings in a volume edited by Dr Caroline Archer and Dr Paul Nash.