CMYK Photopolymer Printing Summer 2023

Fade away and radiate by Elizabeth Castaldo
Student prepares to print using photopolymer plates on a letterpress.
Elizabeth Castaldo working at a letterpress.
Elizabeth Castaldo printing on CBA's iron hand press

Event Info

This five-day, hybrid in-person/remote workshop takes place at CBA and on Zoom on Wednesdays, May 24, 31, June 7, June 14 and June 21 from 6-9pm

  • Wednesday, May 24, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm (Remote)
  • Wednesday, May 31, 6:00 pm–9:00 pm (in-person)
  • Wednesday, June 7, 6:00pm–9:00pm (in-person)
  • Wednesday, June 14, 6:00pm–9:00pm (in-person)
  • Wednesday, June 21, 6:00pm–9:00pm (in-person)

Please Note: Registration for this workshop closes on May 17, at 11:59 pm.


About the Workshop:

In this five-session hybrid virtual and in-person class with Instructor Elizabeth Castaldo, students with some letterpress experience will learn the steps for making full color, photographic prints on a letterpress using the CMYK photopolymer plate technique.

In the first session of the class on Zoom, Castaldo will teach students about color separation, how to work on prepping images in photoshop, and the proper settings for both ordering plates and for in-studio output.

Then in the remaining classes in CBA’s studios, students will learn how to properly mix ink for CMYK printing as well as learn the proper registration techniques for printing photographic images on letterpress.

Class size is limited to ensure an optimal student-to-teacher ratio. Register now before the remaining spots fill up!


Required Materials:

All staff, artists, students, and guests are required to show proof of vaccination upon entering CBA and must wear a mask covering the nose and mouth at all times. If you have a medical or religious exemption, please email corina@centerforbookarts.org. Required Materials:

  • a color photograph
  • access to a computer with photoshop or other photo editing software (students can download a free trial of photoshop from the adobe website)

All other materials will be provided by Center for Book Arts at no additional cost.


About Elizabeth Castaldo

Elizabeth Castaldo is a New York based artist, printmaker, and bookbinder. Working with collage, drawing, and printmaking she creates works on paper and artist’s books that explore nature and the divine feminine.

She has completed residencies at Arquetopia in Oaxaca Mexico, the Center for Book Arts, NYC and Printmaker’s Open Forum, Oxford PA. Castaldo received her MFA from SCAD Atlanta where she was a Dean’s Fellow in Printmaking and her BFA from the School of Visual Arts. Her work has been exhibited nationally including with the Zuckerman Museum of Art, Center for Book Arts, Saint Joseph’s College, Oklahoma City University, Landing Contemporary, Empty Set Gallery, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

She teaches printmaking and book arts at Parsons School of Design and the Center for Book Arts. Her work is held in many private and institutional collections including SCAD, The University of Alberta, Carnegie Melon University, Yale University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.


All images courtesy of the instructor.

Class size is limited to ensure an optimal participant to Instructor ratio. Register now before spots fill up! Registration for this workshop closes on May 17 at 11:59pm. Participants are required to comply with CBA’s Covid-19 health and safety measures.

Registration is closed. Return to all Classes.

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