Our Bindery specialises in exclusive, hand printed & bound watercolour sketchbooks. All our books are hand-stitched, small-run editions and include original prints on bookcloth & papers, from the artists' collection and smaller, artisan studios. Made to Order Custom Studiobooks & Original prints from our studio collection, contemporary papers & fabrics from selected artisan makers. Our new 'FlatIron' Arches sketchbooks are in! Fold-flat loveliness that lets you work right across the pages.

We are constantly adding to our book stock, so check-in regularly with us for an update on new arrivals or why not add us to your favourites for immediate updates when we add new listings... Book papers and book blocks are all case-bound volumes, hand cut and stitched. We print each metre of book cloth & decorative paper with original lino prints & woodcuts from our collections and don't use machines at any stage of production, apart from our two book presses. Our books are beautiful, hardworking & hard-wearing, suitable for wet or dry media. Using the finest papers for our books, we constantly outsource smaller, artisan producers for exclusive decorated papers & bookcloths.

Our books are made to be used, so the ideal paper is durable, strong & flexible. Our more expensive editions are therefore, made of 60 - 100% cotton whose long fibres intertwine to produce exceptional strength. Wherever possible, we use recycled and/or recyclable materials in our bindings and packaging. I'm a fine art print maker, lecturing for more than twenty-five years. I also make books, which extends the possibilities of the printed image. Why not have an object that is useful as well as beautiful? Why not have a unique print that you can take with you? Love books? Explore more at www.printurchin.com

Eat Sleep Print Repeat

The PrintUrchin Press & Bindery Studio specialises in hand printed, stitched & bound books. All our books are small-run editions and include original prints from the artists' collection. Book papers and book blocks are all hand cut and sewn.
We don't use machines at any stage of production apart from our book press. Our books are hardworking & hard-wearing, suitable for wet or dry media.

We only use the finest papers for our books. Fabriano Artistico or Rosapina at 225 gsm for our Watercolour Sketchbooks. For our Journals & Sketchbooks we use Zerkall 145gsm Wavy Laid paper or Italian Drawing Cartridge at 130 gsm. Fabriano is a company with a long and distinguished heritage. Fabriano paper dates back to 1264 and the company was praised for its fine art papers by none other than Michelangelo. The company's master craftsmen pioneered many processes that are now commonplace in paper manufacture including watermarks and surface sheet gluing using gelatine. Today Fabriano is committed to environmentally friendly practices including renewable energy and generates its own hydroelectric power. The high quality and ample offer of this paper satisfies the requirements of all professional artists and the most demanding amateurs. Ideal for watercolour, tempera, gouche, acrylic, link, charcoal, graphite and drawing. Fabriano Watercolour paper is made of a valuable mixture of lignin free cotton and cellulose. The absence of acid guarantees the inalterability over time of the paper.
Our Zerkal paper is produced by one of the oldest mould made paper mills in Germany - Zerkall, located about one hour from the historic city of Cologne. One of the interesting facts about this mills manufacturing capabilities is that they do not produce roll stock; this as a result of their machinery set up which can only manufacture in single sheet format.

Bookbinding papers are interesting in that, more than any other art paper, they are meant to be handled. And handled. And handled. Books are made to be read. So the ideal paper is durable, strong, flexible and resistant to dirt and fingerprints. The weight of the paper is also very important - the pages should be thin enough to fold easily yet thick and opaque enough to prevent show-through. Just as important is that the paper holds up to the binding process and can take a fold well without cracking. Most better book papers are therefore made of cotton whose long fibers intertwine to produce exceptional strength. Similarly, a mouldmade paper will be stronger than a machine-made sheet, due to the manufacturing process. A final consideration is to select a paper with tight formation, which provides a clean and even surface for the printed text and images.

One of our main aims is to share the practice of printmaking with the wider local community and to support artistic excellence in the medium of print through inspiration, education, innovation and facilitation. We work at the cutting edge of contemporary visual art, producing engaging artwork that is key to the cultural life of Cardiff and regularly run classes for all ages and abilities. Located in Cardiff Bay, we regularly run hands-on print workshops in artisan book binding, relief woodcut, lino print, dry-point etching and intaglio collagraph.

We have a personal outlet if you wish to visit the studio and buy direct from us, at Cardiff Print Workshop, Market Road - Cardiff South Wales, next to Chapter Arts Centre. We also run day courses and master classes in bookbinding & printmaking. Check our website www.printurchin.com

I am a fine art print maker. I have been lecturing for more than twenty-five years. I enjoy pushing process and often combine print making techniques in one piece. I rarely produce editions. I enjoy the limitations and the possibilities that printmaking gives the artist. I enjoy making books which extends the possibilities of the printed image. Why not have an object that is useful as well as beautiful? Why not have a unique print that you can carry with you?

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