In New Zealand, it’s often quite difficult to find specialist printmaking materials and equipment. I have put together this list to help you find what you need:

Online:

www.gordonharris.co.nz
– printmaking papers, tools, art books, blocks/plates and inks. Stockists of Permaset inks for screen printing.

www.naskits.co.nz
– Suppliers of a wide range of printmaking tools and materials.

www.ccg.co.nz
– Specialises in Screen Printing equipment, stockists of Heatset inks

www.aotearoaartsupplies.co.nz
– Stockists of Akua inks (good for collagraph and intaglio, especially drypoint) and a wide range of tools and materials.

Humanity Books and Fine Art Supplies
– an independent Hawke’s Bay store that stocks printmaking paper and supplies. Always great service and based in Hastings NZ.
www.facebook.com/humanitybooksandfineartsupplies

It’s also worth checking out your local Warehouse Stationery who stock some essentials such as craft knives and cutting mats, pads of paper and drawing tools.

Mitre 10 also carries essentials such as painter’s tape, spray paints and sealers, sponge rollers etc.

Presses:
In Hawke’s Bay, I recommend Thompson Printing Presses that manufacture excellent etching presses up to 500mm wide. I own two of them!

Email: jack.roset@xtra.co.nz or call 06 877 9467

I am a huge collector of printmaking books, adding to my collection all the time. I recommend either ordering through your local independent book store to support local business, or directly from the artist/publisher. (Unfortunately bookdepository.com who offered free shipping worldwide are closing on 23 April 2023)

My favourites, that come highly recommended are listed below:

Linocut for Artists and Designers by Nick Morley (The Crowood Press) www.linocutboy.com

Modern Block Printing by Rowan Sivyer (Hardie Grant Books) www.littlerowanredhead.com

A Printmaker’s Cookbook; Images in Relief by Dianne Fogwell (Inflorescence Press) www.diannefogwell.com.au

Linocut; A Creative Guide to Making Beautiful Prints by Sam Marshall (Herbert Press)
www.sammarshallart.com

Linocut and Reduction Printmaking by Laura Boswell (The Crowood Press)
www.lauraboswell.co.uk

Screen Printing; The Ultimate Studio Guide, from Sketchbook to Squeegee by Print Club London (Thames and Hudson)
www.printclublondon.com

The Printmaking Ideas Book by Frances Stanfield and Lucy McGeown (Ilex)
www.gordonharris.nz

Proof; Two Decades of Printmaking by Print Council of Aotearoa NZ (Massey University Press)
www.printcouncil.nz

Pressing Matters - A monthly UK publication that I subscribe to that specialises in all things printmaking (Coecreative & Bristol Independent Publishers)
www.pressingmattersmag.com

The importance of the right frame for the work should never be overlooked. Framing is recommended for works on paper, to protect them and keep them dust-free. You can choose between matting the print, or floating them within the frame. I always use a professional framer and ask their opinion about the size and colour of the frame. It’s worth building a relationship with your framer, after finding one you can trust.

In Hawke’s Bay where I live, I recommend Edges Art + Framing in Havelock North. Leanne Etheridge has years of experience and always gives me top quality service.

www.edgesworkshop.co.nz

Printmakers are generous, community minded people that love to share. In most cities around the world, you will be able to find a community-based studio, or a hub where printmakers work together.

I belong to a local community group, the Hawke’s Bay Inkers, who meet once a month in a studio setting to work on their individual projects or do a themed workshop together. Every year they take part in the Hawke’s Bay Art Trail with a pop-up shop and have a group exhibition at either Creative Arts Napier or Arts Inc. Heretaunga. Printmakers of all levels are welcomed.

To belong to the group, there is a $50 annual fee or you can pay $10 per session.

Contact Pam Hastings at pamh107@gmail.com

I also recommend joining the Print Council of Aotearoa NZ (PCANZ) which is a national body that supports printmaking in NZ. It has a low annual membership fee and facilitates national exhibitions and international exchanges, a week-long summer school every January and regional workshops throughout the year. This is an ideal way to network with other printmakers of all levels from all over New Zealand.

Visit www.printcouncil.nz