Inside the Print Studio
A working look inside the studio at Milestone Graphics, with a walkthrough of all our tools, equipment and behind the scenes video. Step into the shop to see how lithography, intaglio, relief, and monotype prints come together. Every edition here starts as a conversation with the artist and printer working together to intentionally translate imagery through the process of printmaking. We match the technique to what the work needs and many times that means combining print methods together.
The Lithography Area
Our lithography area is built around a Griffin lithography press capable of printing images up to 22 x 30" inches, or full sheet prints. Our stone library includes about 60 stones, ranging from 8 x 10" to 26 x 36", along with a plate backer for printing both ball-grained and photo lithographic plates. A hydraulic lift is available for our largest litho stones.
Milestone has a range of leather and composition rollers for use in the studio. Leather rollers are used strictly for lithographic processing, proofing and editioning in black. Rubber, or composition rollers, are available in a range of sizes from small hand brayers to a full sheet roller. These are regularly used in other areas of the studio for a variety of printing methods as well.
The graining sink is a separate station near our shop sink that allows for the resurfacing of lithographic stones in our full range of sizes. We use carborundum grit, levigators and stone on stone graining techniques to prepare the surface of our litho stones. Our studio also features a variety of custom built stone storage solutions dedicated to different size ranges in our stone collection.
The shop uses a custom built and collapsible dark room for light sensitive materials and plates. We have a large-scale Lawson exposure unit and a smaller Nu-Arc unit.
The Etching Area
The etching area houses two presses including: one smaller custom built press used mainly for intaglio (press bed 24 x 44") and a large motorized Takach press (press bed 38 x 80") used for large-scale relief, collagraph, and monotype printing. A drying rack is available for relief prints.
Intaglio work at Milestone Graphics follows traditional methods, using copper plates, grounds, ferric chloride and oil-based inks.
The Office & Studio Library
Our office holds the studio's library, a collection of reference materials on printmaking history and technique that gets pulled from regularly. It's also where the paperwork side of the studio happens: scheduling, correspondence, and administrative work.
With a some cozy spots to sit, rest and check out a few books in our collection, the office area serves as a central hub for the whole print studio.
Meet Baxter, Shop Manager
Baxter, a French Bulldog and resident Good Boy at Milestone, supervises operations from wherever the sun happens to be hitting the floor. His management style involves napping under the litho press and greeting everyone who walks in like they're the best part of his day. No formal printmaking experience, excellent morale, but be warned: he's a beggar.
Behind the Scenes video
Behind the Scenes video
Planning Color
Inking
