Studio Access & Membership

WELCOME TO OUR STUDIO SPACE!

Open Studio, located in downtown Toronto, is proud to support printmakers at all levels by offering access to our fully equipped studio. We specialize in analog printmaking, providing artists with professional tools and facilities for techniques such as etching, lithography, relief, and screenprinting. Whether you’re an experienced printmaker or just getting started, we’re here to help you create and explore the world of printmaking.

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.

How to Get Started

  1. Read over our common area amenities and list of printmaking equipment below.
  2. Come by the studio during our office hours to see our workspace for yourself!
  3. 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.

Stay Updated

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

💡 Not ready to become a member? We offer a variety of educational programs and workshops for artists of all levels. Learn more here.

Studio Equipment & Availability

SPECIALIZED ANALOG PRINTMAKING

We offer a wide range of professional analog printmaking equipment, including:

  • Screenprinting: OPEN
    The new exposure unit and pressure washer is up and running! Please schedule a quick demonstration with Pudy. For more information about current and forthcoming changes in the Screenprinting Area, please refer to the most recent bulletin post.

  • Etching, Intaglio, Relief & Letterpress: OPEN
    The Rosin Box has been retired and replaced with an Airbrush Aquatint system. Please schedule a demonstration with Pudy.
    Exposing photoetching/photopolymer gravure plates is still being calibrated on the new exposure unit. If you’re in a rush, photopolymer gravure plates can be commissioned from Jillian Ross Print. 

  • Lithography: Limited OPEN
    Pronto plates can be printed. Stone graining and photolithography exposures remain unsupported.

🛠 Please note: Some equipment may be temporarily unavailable due to ongoing updates.

Book Studio 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
    —
  • 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
  • —
  • iMac 20″ – for incidental use
  • HP LaserJet 700 B/W printer, up to 12” x 20”
  • Epson 1100xL opaque + transparency scanner, up to 11″ x 17″ (separate booking required)
  • 1 Accu-Glide screenprinting vacuum table – 24” x 30”
  • 1 Accu-Glide screenprinting vacuum table with squeegee arm – 25” x 38” 
  • 2 Accu-Glide screenprinting vacuum tables – 33″ x 48″ 
  • 1 light tablet – 23.4” x 33.1”
  • Assorted squeegees
  • Screen coating room and screen storage closet
  • Vented washout room with power spray washer
  • Print drying racks
  • Refrigerator for emulsion storage
  • Assorted screens larger than stock sizes available for rent
  • Screen storage available for rent
  • 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 a 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 for copper etching – 18” x 24”
  • 1 hot plate
  • Airbrush with compressor for aquatint application
  • Assorted hand rollers and brayers, including viscosity set
  • Homasote boards for flat drying prints
  • 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

HERE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Click below to read.

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.

An artist working on a stone lithograph.

Angela Piere Segovia letterpress printing.