Classes & Workshops
SNAP offers comprehensive printmaking courses and workshops year-round, balancing technical and theoretical learning, skills-based courses and professional development opportunities. Our roster features classes for every skill level, from beginner to experienced printmakers!
What can I learn at SNAP?
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![Person using a palette knife to spread blue ink onto a silkscreen printing surface.]()
Silkscreen
Silkscreen is the most popular & well known process outside of the print community. Mesh screens are coated with a photo-sensitive emulsion, exposed to a positive, and then washed out! In printing, ink is pushed through the open parts of the mesh & onto paper to make a quickly repeatable image! Great for fabric, paper, or almost any smooth surface!
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![Close-up of a person wearing a bracelet, holding a palette knife, with ink cans and tools on a table.]()
Relief
Relief works similarly to a stamp! Lino, wood, or another substrate is carved to make an image. The parts of the block that remain untouched hold ink, and when rolled with ink and pressed onto paper, create an impression. Once on paper, the areas that are carved away remain white and likewise form the image by acting as highlights or negative space.
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![A person's hand pressing a sheet of paper against a roller in a letterpress printing machine. The machine has multiple rollers with different colours, and the background includes a work table with books and a smartphone.]()
Letter Press
Letterpress was originally used in the mass reproduction of posters and books. Although the process still often uses wooden or metal type, it has also been adapted to print relief blocks and photopolymer plates! The presses we use incorporate a self-inking system, which means impressions and inking can happen quickly and efficiently.
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Cyanotype
Cyanotype is a photo-process that allows artists to expose material or image onto a pre-treated surface to produce a rich blue image. Think art meets blueprint!
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![Person wearing blue gloves cleaning a black surface with a cloth.]()
Intaglio
Intaglio is a process whereby a flat, smooth surface is disrupted with scratches, abrasions, or etching to create an image. The plate is then inked, wiped, and run through a press onto paper to create an impression or print! Intaglio includes things like etching, mezzotint, collograph, photo-etching, engraving
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
SNAP Education FAQ:
Age Requirements for SNAP Classes
For SNAP courses we ask that participants are 16 years of age and up. Registrants under the age of 18 require a liability waiver signed by a legal guardian. Please email register@snapartists.com the name and age of any participants under the age of 18 and to obtain the necessary waiver form.
For any participants under the age of 16 who are interested in taking a course at SNAP, please be in touch with register@snapartists.com and we may be able to accommodate if a parent/guardian is present with the under age participant.
Cancellation Policy
Email register@snapartists.com 14 days in advance of the workshop start date to receive a full refund.
Registrants who cancel with 5 days notice will receive a 50% refund. In the case of cancellation with less than five days notice, we are unable to issue a refund.
If SNAP cancels a course due to low enrolment (less than 50% of class capacity), notice will be given at least 5 days in advance and a full refund will be issued.
Missed classes:
SNAP is unable to issue a refund or offer makeup classes for any days missed. However, any SNAP Member with some printmaking experience may come and work during Open Studio sessions on the 3rd Saturday of each month. To become a member visit our membership page. Open Studio is a great opportunity for new and recent students or artists needing technical support to drop in and complete a printmaking project. It allows members to transition into becoming an independent Printshop Renter.
Accessibility & Classes at SNAP.
SNAP courses are designed for individuals 18 years of age or older and instruction is delivered in English. Accommodation can be made for youth 16+ with a legal guardian waiver signed. Many printmaking processes are physically demanding and can require standing for up to 3 hours, upper body/arm strength, and some manual dexterity in the hands. SNAP staff are happy to provide advice and/or support to individuals requiring physical or other accommodation in our studio, we encourage you to be in touch with any questions and to discuss your individual needs.
People with disabilities are welcome to bring one support person to events or workshops free of charge. Accessibility animals are welcome!
If any other accommodations can be made to make our community space more accessible for you or others, please contact Myken McDowell, our Printshop and Programs Coordinator at printshop@snapartists.com via the link.
Tailored Printmaking
Tailored printmaking is a great option for folks who:
Are looking for a unique team-building opportunity
Prefer more 1:1 time in instruction
Want to learn something not currently offered
Need a quick refresh on a process