Studio Access
Center for Book Arts serves as a physical and virtual space for research, education, exhibition, practice, and community building. Here you’ll find everything from open calls, to book art related events, to places to visit and learn, as well as other types of resources for artists and book-curious friends.
We update these pages weekly, so check back often!
STUDIO
Located in Center for Book Arts’ sunny loft space in the Flatiron/NoMad neighborhood of New York City at 28 W 27th St, 3rd Fl, the printshop and bindery studios have the space and equipment needed to complete a wide variety of book arts projects. You can access the studios by taking an on-site workshop, applying for and being selected as an Artist-in-Residence, or by renting time (more info on rentals below).
About Our Studio Spaces
The communal studios at Center for Book Arts are available to rent by the hour or month for artists working independently. Artists wishing to rent time in our studios must become a CBA Member, have completed the Studio Rental Safety Training, and be certified to use the equipment (at this time only RISO and Letterpress printers require certification).
Renters must provide their own materials such as paper, boards, and glue, although some items are available for purchase at CBA.
The RISO and Xerox printers also have printing costs associated with use – RISO: Masters: $2.50 each, Color Start Up: $5, Passes: $.20 per print – Xerox: B&W $0.15 per page, Color $0.60 per page.
Membership
All studio renters are required to be current Center for Book Arts members. Membership costs $60 for one year, $30 for current college students. Become a member online here. If the cost of membership presents a financial burden please contact membership@centerforbookarts.org.
After joining, you will receive a link to sign up for an account on Q-Reserve, our studio reservation platform, where you will also be asked to review and sign our Studio Renter Handbook and Community Agreements. After this step, you can progress to the Safety Training and Orientation.
Studio Ambassadors
Studio Ambassadors act as stewards and shop techs for the space and are available to answer questions about the studios and equipment for renters in the printshop and bindery.
The studio ambassador schedule is available to renters once they have joined.
Safety Training & Equipment Certification
We require all studio users to receive a studio safety training and orientation before they can rent studio time independently. We currently offer two sessions per month, one on a Tuesday afternoon and one on a Saturday afternoon. You will be able to book a safety training on Q-Reserve.
RISO and Letterpress certifications are required if you wish to use this specialized equipment. Additional information about the certification scheduling process is available once you have joined!
Reservations
Studio users book and pay for time in the studios via Q-Reserve, the reservation platform. You will receive a link to create an account upon signing up for Membership. The Studio Handbook has instructions on how to book time and specific equipment in the studios — and our staff and studio ambassadors are also always available to help out!
If you have additional questions, please call 212-481-0295, or email studio@centerforbookarts.org.
Rental Rates
Basic Monthly Rental:
Includes unlimited access to the studios during business hours (Mon-Sat 11am-5pm) and studio ambassador hours.
$250 per month
Key holder Monthly Rental:
For more experienced renters who have been basic monthly renters for at least one year. Includes keys, flat file or shelf, and 24/7 access to studios and equipment.
$400 per month*
* requires a refundable deposit
Hourly Rental:
Includes access to studios during business hours and supervised hours.
$15 per hour
$80 for 6 hour pass
$180 for 15 hour pass
Storage Drawer or Shelf Rental:
Storage can be added on to any rental type.
Flat File Storage Drawer: $50 per month*
Storage Shelf: $100 per month*
* requires a refundable deposit
For more details about rental types please get in touch at studio@centerforbookarts.org
What equipment do we offer in our studios?
Bindery Equipment
- Board Shears
- Guillotine Paper Cutter 36″
- Book Presses
- Backing Presses
- Lying Presses
- Sewing Frames
- Comb Binding machine
- ScharfFix
- Quickprint Hot Stamping machines
- Kensol Hot stamping Machines, up to 8×10″ chase
- A large selection of tooling and hot stamping forms
- Rounding Hammers
Printshop Equipment
- Five Vandercook Proofing Presses (Universal 1, Universal 3, Number 4, 219. 10-21)
- Two RISO MH9450
- Two Chandler and Price Treadle Operated Platen Presses
- One table top proofing press
- Antique Washington Press
- A large selection of Lead Type Faces
- A selection of Wood Type Faces
- Metal and wooden furniture
- A variety of inks and modifiers
- Hand brayers
- Aprons + rags
- Type Specimen Book
- Type Catalogue
Risograph Ink Colors
- Aqua
- Black
- Blue
- Coral
- Cornflower Blue
- Federal Blue
- Flat Gold
- Fluorescent Pink
- Fluorescent Orange
- Kelly Green
- Light Grey
- Light Lime
- Light Teal
- Mint
- Orchid
- Raspberry
- Scarlet
- Sunflower
- Yellow