Printmaking/Book Arts

The traditional arts of printmaking and book arts are enjoying a renaissance today, inspiring contemporary artists with the expressive power of narrative and hand-produced images. Printmaking/Book Arts majors work in a variety of creative disciplines – design, writing, drawing, painting and sculpture.

Book arts – the study of the creative processes behind visualizing, designing and making books –incorporates the elements of 3D and 2D structure, time and sequence, text, and image. In printmaking, the artist uses a matrix made from stone, wood, metal or other material to create multiple impressions of the same image.

What makes us special: small classes and comprehensive studio opportunities
Printmakers and book artists can take advantage of fully equipped studios to master etching, lithography, letterpress, screen printing, monotype and non-silver photographic printmaking, as well as digital processes. Philadelphia’s centrality in the history of printmaking provides a wealth of local internships in artist’s studios, galleries and printmaking non-profits to expand practical experience and industry contacts.

Small classes mean working one-on-one with renowned printmakers and book artists, conservators and librarians, with work showcased at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Museum of Modern Art, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, and Japan’s Gallery Avenue Kobe. 

Who are Printmaking/Book Arts alumni?
Printmaking/Book Arts alumni are celebrated book artists and working printmakers. Their work is exhibited in the Getty Center, the Library of Congress, the library collections of Harvard and Yale, and the Minnesota Historical Society. One alumnus is the head of the Book Lab at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, while another was named the 2010 Minnesota Book Artist of the year. They are conservators for college libraries and one alumna is the founder of the Atlanta Printmakers Studio.