Inkjet and Laser Cutting for Arts and Crafts

led by paul laidler and tom sowden, 3-day course, limited to 6 participants
dates: 2-4 july 2012
times: Each day runs from 9.30 - 16.30
price: £350 full-price (£280 concessions)
includes materials, lunch vouchers, teas and coffees.

This three-day course explores the possibility of combining inkjet printing and laser cutting. Whether producing paper sculptural objects with surface pattern, artists' / pop-up books, paper slipcases or multi-layered prints, this course will allow the participants to print and cut into the same surface using large format inkjet printers and laser cutters, creating pockets, windows and cut outs, and score and fold over or around printed artwork or texts.

Designed to be appropriate for those both with or without previous experience, this is an opportunity to discover the possibilities of digital printing and laser cutting onto a range of papers that can be used in the construction of two and three-dimensional artwork.

The course will cover:
- Preparing a file on the computer that can be used for printing and cutting using Adobe Illustrator
- Producing a print on the large format inkjet printers
- Cutting and engraving paper on the laser cutters

Participants will be free to explore the equipment to produce 2D and 3D work that has been inkjet printed and laser cut. Full technical support will be given throughout the course. Participants should bring digital files (file Formats: Tiff, PSD, JPG and AI) for inspiration and an external drive - for transferring files from room to room.

The facilities:
The Centre's large format digital print facility has been developed as an extension of the traditional printmaking studio for artists. The studio is equipped with the latest in digital print technology using on a selection of HP, Canon and Epson large format inkjet printers. In the Laser Studio there is a 10w, 30w and 200w flat bed laser with a cutting area of 70 x 95cm, 40 x 60cm and 90 x 140cm respectively. The lasers can cut or engrave into textiles, paper, card, plastics, vinyl's and some types of wood (materials must be flat).

The tutors:

Paul Laidler
During the early development of the Centre for Fine Print Research's work with digital printing Paul became heavily involved with the development and running of the CFPR’s digital residency programme. The ongoing residency has generated a portfolio of prints named the Perpetual Portfolio and contributed to Paul's specific area of research looking at comparing previous established practices within the field of fine art Printmaking in-light of today's digital print technologies by investigating and documenting the holistic nature of creating printed artefacts within a fine art context.

Tom Sowden
Tom Sowden is a Senior Technical Instructor in the Laser Studio, supporting on-going projects with practising artists and designers, and teaches on the MA Multi-disciplinary Printmaking course at UWE.