Angela Piere Segovia letterpress printing.

Studio

WELCOME TO OUR STUDIO SPACE

Open Studio is located in the 401 Richmond (suite #104) arts-and-culture hub in downtown Toronto. Our expansive and well-equipped 6,000 sq/ft studio has production facilities and equipment for relief, intaglio, screenprinting, lithography (including photo-based processes), and basic computer equipment.

Our priority is to support artists in the creation and exhibition of contemporary print in an open-minded, inclusive, safe and collaborative environment.

To access the studio facilities independently, you should have some technical print knowledge to work safely on your own; however, we can also help you gain experience to become familiar with the studio if you do not have a printmaking background. Interested individuals are asked to email studio@openstudio.ca with the Studio Access subject line to discuss the next steps.

Studio rent covers general rent expenses (heating/lighting etc.) and access to the studio.

All studio users must first hold current membership before accessing the facilities. Annual membership fees cover access to our booking system, activation of fobs (to the building and the studio), and an initial orientation. Membership also covers in-house materials/consumables such as acids, solvents, cleaning solutions, rags, and other chemicals

Additional benefits include discounts at select art stores/suppliers, like Above Ground Art Supplies, DeSerres, Gwartzman’s Art Supplies and The Japanese Paper Place. When you apply and/or renew your membership we’ll provide you with a membership card.

For a comprehensive list of what items are provided and what supplies fall under the responsibility of the artist, click HERE.

Please head over to the BULLETIN BOARD to see STUDIO UPDATES FOR MEMBERS.

Rental Rates 2023

Membership Fee

$125

Day Pass

$38

Month Pass

$210

Annual Subscription*

$105 /month

*Access fee is charged every month after the day of purchase. This subscription is binding for the first 12 months*, and monthly charges will continue to occur after the initial year. The price is subject to change at any time after a 30-day advanced notice.

  • Studio users must first hold current membership before using the studio
  • Studio users must have received an orientation to gain access
  • Studio facilities are open 24/7 for pre-approved studio users
  • We encouraged all users using the studio to be vaccinated and boosted
  • Masks must be worn in the studio
  • Studio users must sign our usage policies & health and safety waiver
  • Bookings are mandatory to reserve and guarantee equipment access
  • Bookings are in four-hour time-slot increments (can be booked consecutively)
  • Studio users must have fobs for 401 Richmond building and the studio doors
  • Studio users can purchase rent online and book equipment online
  • Studio users are responsible for cleaning and sanitizing their areas
  • The studio kitchen is open and limited to 2 people

Please note that membership does not imply immediate studio access. Studio access is offered after orientation and the purchase of studio rent. To purchase a membership or to renew, please contact us by email.

Virtual Tour
Print Courses

Equipment

LIST OF STUDIO EQUIPMENT

Book Equipment
  • 1 Accu-Glide Screenprinting vacuum table – 24” x 30”
  • 2 Accu-Glide Screenprinting vacuum tables – 25” x 38” (one with squeegee arm)
  • 1 Vacuum printing table – 44” x 32
  • 1 Seri-Glide One-Person Squeegee Screenprinting table – 52” x 96”
  • 1 American Masterprint One-Person Squeegee Screen Printing Table – 47”x 64”
  • 1 Horizontal light table, 1 Vertical light table
  • Screen coating room and screen storage closet
  • Vented washout room with power spray washer
  • Print drying racks
  • Assorted squeegees
  • Assorted screens available for rent
  • Refrigerator for emulsion storage
  • 1 American French Tool etching press – 48” x 78” press bed
  • 1 American French Tool press – 30” x 48” press bed
  • 1 Charles Brand press – 16” x 30” press bed
  • 1 Vandercook 4T electric type high relief press – 14” x 18” max form
  • 1 Line-O-Scribe M711 – 7” x 10” max form
  • Letterpress furniture and limited collection of type
  • 1 Metal plate cutter – blade width 37.5”
  • 1 Stainless steel paper soaking sink – 37” x 52”
  • 1 Vertical ferric chloride acid bath – 18” x 24”
  • 1 Horizontal ferric chloride acid bath – 32” x 42”
  • 1 Hot plate
  • Fusion boxes for aquatint
  • Rosin box for aquatint
  • Assorted hand rollers and brayers, including viscosity set
  • Homasote boards for drying prints
  • 1 Griffin lithography press – 39.5” x 72.5” press bed
  • 1 Praga lithography press – 30” x 46” press bed
  • 1 Wepplo motorized press – 36” x 53” press bed
  • Stones ranging from book size up to 32” x 43”
  • 1 Hydraulic hand-operated lift for moving stones
  • 1 Graining sink
  • Levigators, drying racks, leather rollers and portable stone tables for moving stones in progress
  • NuArc 3000 watt single point light unit
  • 60” x 70” wall mounted vacuum frame
  • 2 – iMacs (20 “ & 27”)
  • HP LaserJet 700 B+W printer, up to 12” x 20”
  • Epson 1100xL opaque + transparency scanner, up to 11″ x 17″
  • Wacom Intuos 4 Drawing Tablet

Frequently Asked Questions

HERE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

You do not have to use our facility to qualify for membership, however you may not get all the benefits from membership if you are not an active studio user. You can still benefit from discounts at select art stores/suppliers, like Above Ground Art Supplies, DeSerres, Gwartzman’s Art Supplies and The Japanese Paper Place.

If you would rather support Open Studio as a donor, we would welcome your contribution! You can make a gift to Open Studio here. We operate as a charitable non-profit dedicated to offering accessible, inclusive, and affordable printmaking facilities, programs, and services for artists and the public from across Canada and abroad.

Yes! We are always happy to welcome new members. You do not have to use our facility to qualify for membership, however you may not get all the benefits from membership if you are not an active studio user.

Membership is renewed on an annual basis.

All studio users must first hold current membership before accessing the facilities. Annual membership fees cover access to our booking system, activation of fobs (to the building and the studio), and an initial orientation. Membership also covers in-house materials/consumables such as acids, solvents, cleaning solutions, rags, and other chemicals

Additional benefits include discounts at select art stores/suppliers, like Above Ground Art Supplies, DeSerres, Gwartzman’s Art Supplies and The Japanese Paper Place.

For a comprehensive list of what items are provided and what supplies fall under the responsibility of the artist, click HERE.

You do not have to have a formal printmaking background in order to access the studio. Members must be able to print independently and safely in a shared studio space. Our education program is a great way to become familiar with printmaking. Our courses offer the fundamentals of printmaking and are geared toward those with little to no experience in print.

Consider taking one of our education classes, which is a great way to familiarize yourself with the studio. If you’re looking for a more tailored approach to refreshing your knowledge, pursuing private instruction would be the most flexible and fruitful option.