Courses
We have a new season of short courses which will be announced soon! In the meantime if you would like to express an interest in our year long courses or have a specific short course in mind that isn't here on the website yet, then please send an email to andy@hotbedpress.org.
Course listings
The Complete Printmaker 2027
Long Course
Bookings for 2027 will be open from Septemner 2026 and we expect high demand. Please contact us - andy@hotbedpress.org to express an interest and we will let you know as soon as bookings for this course is open. Our very popular Year-long adventure in printmaking, The Complete Printmaker, has been running since 2013. It's so popular that we now run 3 first year courses, (2 second years and a full 3rd year course), so you can do the equivalent of a degree course in experience. In fact we think you get better value for money at Hot Bed Press with our amazing facilities, expert teaching and support and the extra access across the full year.
The Complete Book Artist 2027
Long Course
Bookings for 2027 will be open from September 2026 and we expect high demand. Please contact andy@hotbedpress.org if you would like to be added to the expressions of interest list and receive an invitation to book your place as soon as we open up bookings. Run over 30 weeks from early Feb 2026 to mid December with membership running until 31st January 2028 this course gives students a full and comprehensive grounding in Book Arts, with a sprinkling of printmaking to incorporate into your beautiful books and design your book forms around. The course usually takes place on Wednesday evenings between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. We hope to confirm dates with our expert tutors, George Gibson, Sylvia Waltering and the 3 guest tutors who ad da sprinkling of printmaking to the book arts teaching.
The Complete Letterpress 2027
Long Course
We are full in 2026 and will look to run another Compete Letterpress course in 2027. Details are not yet confirmed for 2027, but this year's course ran over 20 weeks, from 4th Feb to 22nd July giving students a full and comprehensive grounding in Letterpress Printing
Mokuhanga
Weekend Course
This two-day workshop is an introduction to water-based Japanese Woodblock printing, suitable for complete beginners or printmakers who want to learn a new technique.
Introduction to Screenprint
Weekend Course
Spend a weekend being shown how to screenprint. From mixing your water-based inks and printing using simple paper stencils you will go on to layer and build up colours.
Introduction to Screenprint #2
Weekend Course
Spend a weekend being shown how to screenprint. From mixing your water-based inks and printing using simple paper stencils you will go on to layer and build up colours.
Etching & Aquatint Masterclass
Weekend Course
Spend a weekend with printmaker Jason Hicklin. Working directly on zinc plates with aquatint, sugar-lift, stop-out varnish, straw hat varnish and hard & soft wax grounds you will go through etching images in stages/states on your plate developing the image and responding to the marks as you see them etch before your very eyes.
Abstract Expressionist Screenprint
Weekend Course
Go direct, go gestural, go free, with an alternative approach to screenprint with the Artistic Director of Hot Bed Press showing you some old and some new screenprint tricks.
Self-Publishing with Risograph
Weekend Course
Discover the wonderful world of self-publishing and zines in this two-day workshop. Together we'll explore how artists, writers, and activists have used zines as a creative and accessible way to share ideas, before developing your own mini publication from concept to finished print.
Letterpress: Texture & Type
Weekend Course
Spend an invigorating weekend exploring and expanding your understanding of letterpress printing using the Hot Bed Press Vandercook and Gem proof presses.
Illustrated Screenprint
Weekend Course
Channel your inner illustrator or drawing creative juices into screenprint. Lucas will show you how to draw directly on the screen to create your positive with drawing fluids. This is an extremely effective way to create a direct stencil. No need for an expensive exposure unit or dark room.
Stone Lithography- Members Only
Weekend Course
Discover the art of traditional stone lithography with artist and teacher Claire Curtin. Stone lithography is known for the possibilities it offers for subtle drawn tones, washes and reticulated marks. You will be shown how to prepare and draw and paint on the stone with litho pencils, crayons and tusches to build detailed tonal images.
Botanical Still Life Screen Printing: Draw, Expose & Print
Weekend Course
This is a creative workshop where you can slow down, observe and explore the art of screen printing through drawing. Using a carefully arranged still life of plants, flowers and everyday objects as inspiration, you'll create your own original artwork and learn how to transform it into a beautiful two-colour screen print.
Relief Etching
Evening Course
Relief etching is a versatile process allowing you to reinterpret existing etching plates or create new ones and printing your metal plates on a relief press!
Enquire about a course
faq's
We are happy to answer any questions on the phone but here are some commonly asked questions and answers below.
Do I need to be experienced to come on a course?
No experience necessary! Some courses are specifically designed for beginners; such as Introduction to Screenprint, Print or Letterpress, Painterly Screen-printing or The Art of Etching. Other courses such as Mokuhanga, Screen-printing with Natural Dyes or Photopolymer Printing are more tailored to those with some previous experience. However, if in doubt phone us to discuss.
How do I book a place on a course?
The best way to book a place is to phone us on 0161 743 3111. Our courses book up so quickly that we can be answering the phone all day whilst e-mails may take more time to get through every enquiry and still need us to phone or e-mail you back. We are a friendly bunch and can answer any of your questions when you ring to book.
Do you take a deposit to reserve a place?
No sorry, we are a small team and don't have capacity to have multiple systems in place. We only confirm bookings on full receipt of payment
What materials do I need to bring?
Nothing! We provide all materials for courses. All we need you to bring is some inspiration and clothes you don't mind getting ink on. You will receive an introduction letter letting you know what to prepare, such as drawings, photos, photocopies, collected images, and what size you can expect to work to.
Is food provided?
If you are on a day or weekend course please bring your own food. In our small kitchen we have tea, coffee, milk, and sugar and an urn as well as a microwave. The Co-op and Sainsburys are both nearby and we have the luxury of a couple of cafes nearby now with fancy coffee.
Are you accessible?
We recognise that our current building has some limitations in terms of accessibility. We are actively working to secure funding to make improvements and adapt our facilities so that we can better meet the needs of all our members. In the meantime, we welcome open conversations about individual requirements and will do everything we can to provide support and reasonable adjustments. We want everyone to feel included and supported when visiting Hot Bed Press so if you have a disability, need or concern, physical or not, please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can support you to access our print studio.
Membership
Come And Join Us
We welcome new members all year round. Anyone can join. You need a little bit of experience; but that can be from doing one of our weekend or evening courses, after which you can carry on and practice what you've learnt on the course. We've got a few types of membership to suit your purse or your time. Just g to our Membership section for more details.
Send us a message!
Let us know what you are enquiring about.