Studios and Equipment

Access MCBA’s studios by participating in Studio Labs, in-person workshops, Equipment Rentals, and through Artist Collective membership.

Take a virtual tour and learn how to take advantage of our spacious and highly equipped studios!

About Our Studios

Our studios are a haven for hobbyists and professional artists alike who practice bookbinding, letterpress printing, papermaking, paper marbling, screen printing, and related arts.

At over 12,000 square feet, MCBA is the largest space dedicated to book arts in the nation and maintains one of the most impressive collections of printing presses in the world (17 and counting!).

Providing studio access is central to MCBA’s mission. There are several ways our artist community can gain safe access to our space:


Studio Labs

Artists seeking occasional access to our studios can sign up for a scheduled Studio Lab in letterpress printing, papermaking, paper marbling, or screen printing. Adequate training is required to work independently.


Equipment Rental

Want to work with a particular piece of equipment for a finite period of time? Check out our list of specialized book arts equipment available for rent! For questions and to schedule a rental, fill out this form. Please allow 3–5 business days for a response.


Artist Collective Membership

Artist Collective members pay monthly dues to gain 24/7 independent studio and equipment access at MCBA. Additional perks include onsite storage, exhibition opportunities, workshop discounts, and participation in an eclectic community of fellow artists. Adequate training is required to work independently.

Our studios contain the following:

Take a virtual tour of Minnesota Center for Book Arts’ studios and gallery, and see where all the magic happens! Learn about the history of our Center, as well as the range of mediums that book arts encompasses, all in ten minutes! This video is a perfect addition to any and all of our virtual workshop offerings, providing context about MCBA and leaving you inspired.

Need supplies? Forgot to bring yours? You can purchase many essential items in our Shop.

For training in a particular process, consider these programs:

In-person Workshops

One of the main ways the public gains access to our studios is through in-person workshops ranging from single sessions to in-depth explorations that span several weeks. Our teaching artists love sharing knowledge in their areas of expertise: bookbinding, letterpress printing, papermaking, paper marbling, screen printing, and related arts. See all of our workshop offerings, including virtual workshops, here.

One-to-One Tutorials

For those seeking more individualized instruction (or help with a particular project), consider scheduling a one-to-one tutorial. This is also a great way to seek training on a specific piece of equipment, which is required for Artist Collective membership and Studio Lab sign-ups.

Equipment Rental

Providing access to equipment is central to MCBA’s mission. There are a variety of ways to access MCBA’s studios: Artist Collective, Studio Labs, and equipment rental. For occasional access to equipment, Studio Labs offer low-cost access and fellowship with others. For those who need access outside of Studio Labs, MCBA’s equipment is available to rent hourly, by appointment only. 

To schedule an equipment rental, submit a request using the form linked below. Due to staff capacity, rentals must be scheduled in advance. Same-day rentals and walk-ins are not available. We look forward to welcoming you to the studio!

Equipment & Pricing

  • Includes access to the print studio and presses (see list below), wood and metal type, printing tools, light table, polymer platemaker, solvents, gloves, and rags. Fee covers ink, but for larger editions, we ask individuals to supply their own ink. Individuals should supply their own paper and platemaking materials, if applicable.

    Presses:

    • Vandercook No. 4

    • Vandercook Universal I (2)

    • Vandercook Universal III

    • Vandercook No. 219 (2)

    • Vandercook SP20

    • Vandercook SP25

    • 19th century iron hand presses (2)

    • Platen presses (4)

    • Showcard sign press, 24” x 32”

    • Conrad etching press, 24” x 48”

  • Includes access to bookbinding studio, guillotine paper cutters, board shears, Kwikprint foil stampers, paper drill (drill press), backing presses, sewing frames, book cradles, nipping presses, spiral binder, table space, and hand tools. Individuals should supply their own paper, cloth, and board.

  • Includes access to screen printing studio, darkroom, LightSpeed exposure unit (maximum screen size: 31 inches wide, 23 inches high), light table, power washer, screen printing tables, squeegees, and printing tools. Fee covers screen use and photo emulsion. Individuals should supply their own paper or fabric, and water-based ink. No plastisol!

  • Includes access to wet studio, hydraulic press, restraint dryer, Valley beater, Reina beater, cook tops, felts, moulds and deckles (various sizes). Individuals should supply their own pulp.

  • Includes access to wet studio, tanks (16 x 20 inches), alum, plexiglass sheets, combs, whisks, eye droppers, ice cube trays for paints, brushes, book board scraps, newspaper strips, squirt bottles, fans, clothespins for drying, and miscellaneous tools. Individuals should supply their own carrageenan, paper, and paints.

Pricing

$20/hour (10% discount for MCBA members)
-or-
$80/day for a multi-day rental* (10% discount for MCBA members)

*This rate is available to individuals renting equipment for more than one consecutive day in the studio.

Required Training

In order to keep people and equipment safe, renters must be fully trained to use MCBA’s equipment. MCBA workshops teach skills that prepare individuals to rent equipment on their own (see list below). Individuals with training from other studios or organizations are welcome! Be sure to share your experience when requesting a rental.

Below are the MCBA workshops that serve as prerequisites for equipment rentals:

Letterpress
Letterpress 1: Printing Basics, Letterpress 2: Setting Type, Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints and Letterpress 4: Editioning, or similar experience are required in order to rent letterpress equipment. If you have questions about your experience level, please email studios@mnbookarts.org. If you need letterpress experience to rent equipment, register for Letterpress 1–4, offered regularly.

Bindery Equipment Rental
Introduction to Hand Bookbinding, Cutting Equipment Orientation

Screen Printing
Introduction to Screen Printing, Screen Print Fabric, or Screen Print: Guided Projects

Papermaking
European Papermaking, or other papermaking workshop plus Paper Beater Training

For questions and to share an accessibility request, please email studios@mnbookarts.org or call 612-215-2532. Please allow 3–5 business days for a response.