Open Print Exchange
A Yearly Print Swap Connecting Printmakers Worldwide
“Over 1,000 miniature prints, traveling through 39+ countries, and showcased in worldwide exhibitions. Each one…printed using a 3D printed printing press. Explore colourful reduction linocuts, intricate engravings, or fascinating photo etchings.” [Open Print Exchange/Open Press Project]
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I first got involved with the printmakers behind the Open Print Exchange in 2019 when I spotted a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to produce mini 3D-printed printing presses, making them accessible to people without a 3D printer. The press had been developed by Martin Schneider and Dominik Schmitz, two designers and printmakers from Cologne, Germany. Martin had designed the initial version of the Open Press in 2018 as part of an exam at his University KISD Köln International School of Design. His idea was to come up with a functional printing press that could be manufactured from corn-starch-based plastic using a regular 3D printer, making it easy for people to get access to techniques like etching, engraving, drypoint, and other intaglio printmaking techniques. Such techniques were traditionally only possible using regular big etching presses, which are expensive, difficult to transport, and can be quite intimidating. You can read more about the story on the Open Press Project website, and you can even order your own tiny press!
Back in 2019, Martin and Dominik hosted their first open call – inviting the Open Press community to send in prints printed with their tiny 3D printed press. More than 100 artists from around the world participated and they exhibited more than 250 tiny prints in their print studio Kölner Graphikwerkstatt in Cologne!
This experience prompted them to come up with the Open Print Exchange – an initiative whereby prints are swapped between participants. The first print exchange was organised in 2022 and I eagerly signed up. The concept is simple: each participant prints an edition of ten tiny prints (7 x7 cms) using a 3D-printed printing press, using any technique, and there is no theme. The edition is limited, signed and numbered. One of the prints is digitized and goes on a world-wide tour of exhibitions, whilst the other nine are swapped between participants. You can browse all of the prints on the Open Print Exchange website, and you can even see the location of presses on a world-wide map.
My 2022 submission – ‘Five-Pointed Star’ – used the drypoint technique on an aluminium plate:
And, to date, the original has travelled to Japan, Germany, Canada and the USA.
I took part again in 2023, again using drypoint to produce ‘Greenburst’ – hand-finished using gold paint:
Which so far has been exhibited in the Netherlands and Germany.
I’m looking forward to taking part in the 2025 Print Exchange. Follow my progress at @philipcopestaskeprints
And the final word goes to Martin and Dominik, and their colleagues at the Open Press Project:
“We value our small Open Press community above everything else and are driven by the idea of making printmaking as accessible as possible while at the same time give people a high quality etching press. This thought is part of every decision we make, including some exciting things we are working on at the moment! Check out presses and prints from all over the world and don’t miss news on our Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/openpressproject/).”
Thank you.
February 2025