Book your ticket to Spike Print Fair Preview night 2026
Join Bristol's community of art lovers to celebrate printmaking in all its forms. Taking place on Friday 24 July 2026, 6–9pm.
Book your place
Spike Print Fair is a new contemporary print fair bringing together artists, printmakers, illustrators, designers and small presses from across the UK. Presented by Spike Island and Spike Print Studio in partnership with UWE Bristol School of Arts and Centre for Print Research (CFPR).
Across three days, Spike Island will transform into a vibrant marketplace for original prints, publications and artist editions. Visitors can buy work directly from artists, discover emerging and established practitioners, and explore one of the UK’s most dynamic printmaking communities.
The fair forms part of Spike Island 50, an anniversary programme marking 50 years since Spike Island and Spike Print Studio were founded in 1976. Looking both backwards and forwards, the programme celebrates the organisation’s artist-led origins and ongoing commitment to supporting creative experimentation, artistic communities and access to contemporary art.
Whether you’re an experienced collector, practising artist or simply curious about contemporary print, Spike Print Fair offers a welcoming opportunity to discover and support independent artists and printmakers.
WORKSHOPS
Alongside stalls from exhibitors across the UK, Spike Print Fair includes a programme of hands-on workshops, demonstrations and family activities introducing visitors to a wide range of printmaking techniques. Workshops across the weekend include screenprinting, linocut, zine-making and experimental print processes, alongside live demonstrations exploring both traditional and contemporary approaches to print and tours of the largest open access print studio in the South West.
View the full programme
Workshops and live events presented by Spike Print Studio.
Unless otherwise stated, all workshops and demonstrations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity is limited, so we cannot guarantee a place for everyone at every workshop.
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Saturday 25 July
LIVE PRINTING: FLOOD, PULL, REPEAT
10.30am–12.30pm, Workshop Area
All ages, drop-in, £36 to take part
An interactive exhibition inviting you to view a wall of screen prints, choose one to complete with us and take it away.
LIVE PRINTING: LEGO PRINTING
10.30am–12.30pm, Workshop Area
All ages, drop-in, £6 to take part
Make your own Lego relief print! Artists Jasmine Smail and George Hounsome will guide you through making your lego printing plate, inking it up and printing your artwork.
WORKSHOP: NARRATIVE ZINES
1–2.15pm, Workshop Area
First come first served, £10 to take part
Join artist Andrew Wilson to create narrative zines using simple techniques like stamping, pochoir stencilling, and collage.
TALK
2–4.30pm, Associates Space
Ticketed event, £10
Book online or visit reception
Centre for Print Research, UWE Bristol presents a talk series with members of Spike Island’s printmkaing community. Exploring their practices, methods and the intersection of printmaking with topics such as environmentalism, architecture, technology and community. This event includes a guided tour of Spike Print Studio
Book your place here
WORKSHOP: CUT AND MIXED
3.30–4.15pm, Workshop Area
First come first served, £10 to take part
Join artist Theo Adams carving lino and remixing plates, live on the press bed. Create unique combinations of collaborative relief prints.
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Sunday 26 July
LIVE PRINTING: FLOOD, PULL, REPEAT
10.30am–12.30pm, Workshop Area
All ages, drop-in, £36 to take part
An interactive exhibition inviting you to view
a wall of screen prints, choose one to complete with us and take it away.
LIVE PRINTING: LEGO PRINTING
10.30am–12.30pm, Workshop Area
All ages, drop-in, £6 to take part
Make your own Lego relief print! Artists Jasmine Smail and George Hounsome will guide you through making your lego printing plate, inking it up and printing your artwork.
WORKSHOP: MYTHICAL BEASTS TETRAPAK PRINTING
1–2.15pm, Workshop Area
First come first served, £6 to take part
Join artist Saskia Richmond to make mythical characters by scratching, drawing and painting into tetrapak intaglio plates and printing with an etching press.
WORKSHOP: LINO PRINT LANDSCAPES
3–4.15pm, Workshop Area
First come first served, £10 to take part
Join artist Lee Nutland to create your own lino plate and print it using a handheld Japanese baren. Take your prints away with you.
TOUR: SPIKE PRINT STUDIO
3.30–4pm, Welcome Area
Free
Meet at Spike Print Fair Welcome Area to
join a tour of Spike Print Studio, the largest open-access print studio in the South West.
Illustration and design by Andrew Wilson
SPIKE PRINT STUDIO
Spike Print Studio is a Bristol-based charitable organisation offering exceptional printmaking facilities to all. It is the largest open-access print studio in the South West and an active network for artist printmakers in the region and beyond. Through a varied programme of courses, workshops and memberships, SPS welcomes everyone from absolute beginners to professional printmakers and artists.
Founded in 1976 by Peter Reddick as Bristol Print Workshop, the studio grew from his commitment to making printmaking accessible, particularly those leaving college without access to facilities. A founder member of Bristol Artspace, Peter played a key role in establishing the studio at Spike Island. His ethos of inclusivity continues to shape the studio today.
Now known as Spike Print Studio, SPS is a thriving community offering a warm and supportive environment for those interested in printmaking. Our open access studio membership provides expert technical support for beginners and experienced artists. Their learning programme includes year long portfolio courses, summer schools, one-day workshops, and a core programme of five and ten week courses across all printmaking techniques.
www.spikeprintstudio.org
CENTRE FOR PRINT RESEARCH, UWE BRISTOL
Since 1998, the Centre for Print Research (CFPR) has been at the forefront of interdisciplinary print innovation, combining knowledge and skills across traditional and digital techniques to reflect, innovate, and find creative solutions for the future of making and production. It has developed partnerships with world-leading academic institutions and has an outstanding record of working with collaborators across various sectors, including fine art, print, craft, design, material science and engineering.
CFPR is a distinctive centre of research excellence based at the University of the West of England, situated in the School of Arts. Our vision and approach are focused on people, collaboration, and creativity, converting intangible ideas into tangible outcomes. The Centre continues to evolve through its ability to influence resilience and diversification.
cfpr.uwe.ac.uk/
Partners and Supporters
Spike Print Fair is presented by Spike Island, Spike Print Studio, Centre for Print Research, and The School of Arts, UWE Bristol. The event is generously supported by Branch Cider, Cranfield Ink, Intaglio Printmaker, J.M.Smith Framing, John Purcell Paper and Left Handed Giant.
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