Studio Access & Membership

WELCOME TO OUR STUDIO SPACE!

Open Studio, located in downtown Toronto, is a unique coworking creative space that provides printmakers with access to both contemporary and analog printmaking equipment, alongside workspaces for non-print artists. We welcome artists working in print-adjacent, paper-based, and other creative practices who can benefit from our communal tools and shared environment.

Our expansive studio is well-equipped for a wide range of artistic activities and offers facilities for multiple printmaking processes, including screenprinting, linocut, letterpress, copper etching, and stone lithography.

As a registered non-profit and artist-run centre, we are dedicated to keeping our studio rental rates comparable to market prices in the GTA.

How to Get Started

Read over our fee structure, common area amenities and list of equipment below.
Come by the studio during our office hours to see our workspace for yourself!
Once you’ve determined that Open Studio serves your current artistic needs, send us an email with the subject heading “Studio Access” to initiate the onboarding process.

Structure and Fees

💡 An up-to-date Studio Membership and onboarding orientation is required for Studio Rental Access.

Available rental options are listed below. The studio is accessible 24/7. Studio equipment/work space must be booked in advance.

Studio Membership	$200 Valid for one year
Day Pass	$50
Month Pass	$250
Annual Pass	$125 Charged monthly
Flat File and/or Locker Storage*	$85 each Valid for one year

Note: Flat files and lockers are available on a first come first served basis. Storage lockers measure 16.5” x 17” x 12”. Flat files for paper storage measure at least 43” x 32” x 1.75”.

For a comprehensive list of studio-provided items, covered as part of your Studio Rental Access fees, and supplies that fall under the artist’s responsibility, click HERE.

Stay Updated

The online Bulletin will include relevant internal studio updates for members as they arise, so be sure to check it regularly.

Studio Equipment

SPECIALIZED ANALOG PRINTMAKING

Book Studio Equipment

General Amenities and Communal Equipment

24/7 studio access
Wi-Fi
nut-free kitchenette, with microwave, kettle, dishes and utensils, fridge
online booking system that makes it easy to secure your space
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2 dedicated 30” x 72” work tables + chair equipped with magnifier LED desk lamp with adjustable arms
shared studio cutting mats, rulers, tear bars, 14″ stack cutter, 36″ rotary paper trimmer
communal table surfaces
solvent room with ventilation for the spraying of fixatives

Anatol Aurora LED Exposure Unit, max screen frame size – 52″ x 36 (optimized for screen exposure but also suitable for cyanotype, photopolymer plates, photolithography plates, Puretch photo etching film etc.)
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iMac 20″ – for incidental use
HP LaserJet 700 B/W printer, up to 12” x 20”
EPSON Ecotank 8550 for outputting transparency films
Epson 1100xL opaque + transparency scanner, up to 11″ x 17″ (separate booking required)
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flat file and locker storage are available on a first come first served basis

Screenprinting Equipment

Our studio is optimized for water-based screenprinting on paper to a maximum size of 22″ x 30″. Screen rental available, 30″ x 40″ OD, 255 Yellow Mesh. Film transparency printing available up to a maximum size of 23″ wide. We encourage users to use their own screens when printing with screens 25″ x 36″ or smaller.

Anatol Aurora LED Exposure Unit, max screen frame size – 52″ x 36″
1 x Accu-Glide screenprinting vacuum table – 24” x 30”
1 x Accu-Glide screenprinting vacuum table with squeegee arm – 33” x 48”
2 x Accu-Glide screenprinting vacuum tables – 33″ x 48″
2 x light tablets – 23.4” x 33.1”
assorted squeegees and scoop coaters

screen coating room and screen storage closet
vented washout room with power spray washer
print drying racks
refrigerator for emulsion storage
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assorted screens larger than stock sizes available for rent
screen storage available for rent

Letterpress, Relief and Etching Equipment

Vandercook 4T electric type high-relief press – 14” x 18” max form
Line-O-Scribe M711 – 7” x 10” max form
Letterpress furniture with plate supports for mounting polymer plates or lino
A modest collection of wood and metal type
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Charles Brand press – 16” x 30” press bed
American French Tool press – 30” x 48” press bed
American French Tool press – 48” x 78” press bed
Stainless steel paper soaking sink – 37” x 52”

Vertical ferric chloride acid bath for copper etching – 18” x 24”
Metal plate cutter – blade width 37.5”
Hot plate
Airbrush with compressor for aquatint application
Assorted hand rollers and brayers, including viscosity set
Homasote boards for flat drying prints
Solvent room with ventilation

Lithography Equipment

1 Griffin lithography press – 39.5” x 72.5” press bed
1 Praga lithography press – 30” x 46” press bed
Stones ranging from book size up to 32” x 43”
1 hydraulic hand-operated lift for moving stones
Drying racks, leather rollers, and portable stone tables for moving stones in progress

FAQs

Click below to read.

Is membership required to use the studio?

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.

Is formal education required to access the studio?

You do not have to have a formal printmaking or art-making background in order to access the studio. Members must be able to work independently and safely in a shared studio space.

Our education program is a great way to become familiar with printmaking should you choose to take full advantage of our tools and equipment. Our courses offer the fundamentals of printmaking and are geared toward those with little to no experience in print.