Traditional Print Research

The research team at the Centre for Fine Print Research have undertaken several large scale research projects into 19th Century photo-mechanical printing processes including:

A digital archive of the nineteenth century Woodburytype and its working practice
 
What constitutes a reproduction in the 20th century, through the 19th century collotype process? PDF

Traditional stone lithography as a medium for printing photographic and digitally mediated imagery
 
A practical re-appraisal of continuous tone photo-relief printing PDF
 
An investigation, recording and presentation of photomechanical prints by process
 
Reappraising the creative potential of underglaze ceramic transfer printing in the light of new technology
 
A feasibility survey of the 19th century Woodburytype print process and its potential relationship to 20th century rapid prototyping technology
 
Outputs from these research projects include databases, touring exhibitions, articles, conference papers, monographs,  case studies on contemporary commercial studios and survey’s of other research in the field. 

We have extensively published detailed descriptions of photomechanical printing methods and photographically illustrated descriptions of how the processes can be adapted for use in the digital age.
We have a well equipped studio dedicated to the research and development of high quality photomechanical printing methods for the fine arts.

One of the studio’s specialities is the integration of digital imaging techniques with 19th Century printing processes to develop new hybrid approaches to artists print production. The studio is ideally set up for photogravure and collotype with the adjoining digital studio offering adequate workspace and facilities for related digital imaging work.

Since 2004 the CFPR has been the only UK HEI member of the Association of European Printing Museums.  Currently chaired by Professor Stephen Hoskins the Association of European Printing Museums is working in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and UK to help preserve historical trade skills in metal typesetting and letterpress printing.