FAQs

General

Yes! You can take a tour of our studio anytime during open hours: Tuesday-Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm.
There is no public parking lot at the Crane Arts building. There are non-metered spots in front of the Crane and on Cadwallader, Master and Germantown Ave. There is metered parking throughout the neighborhood.
The studio is located 0.5 miles (~10 minute walk) from Girard Station on the Market-Frankford line and off the 5, 15, and 57 bus.
Use the callbox outside of the Crane Arts building to call the studio (using the directory) and identify yourself. Once buzzed in, enter the single grey door to the left of the call box and follow the stairs down to the basement level where our studio is located.
Yes. The Crane Arts has a ramp leading to the building and there is an elevator available to use. If you need elevator access, please let the studio know when you call on the call box and we will call the elevator for you.
You can get involved with SSP by becoming a member, taking a class, volunteering or applying to our Fob Holder Program.
You can support SSP by making a charitable donation directly to the studio, donating supplies and materials, becoming a member, or purchasing something from our wish list!

Classes

All supplies and materials are supplied by the studio unless otherwise noted in the course description listed on our website. Sketches and preliminary ideas are always welcome!
Supplies can be purchased in-person at Blick (1330 Chestnut St.), Artist & Craftsman (307 Market St.). Some supplies may be available online via a trusted printmaking vendor (we don’t recommend purchasing supplies off Amazon).
You should expect to get messy so wear clothes that you’re comfortable getting inky. We do have extra aprons on hand at the studio. For your safety, please only wear closed-toed shoes that you can comfortably stand in for extended periods of time.
You will be issued a full refund for the class if you cancel your registration over a week before the first day of class. A 50% refund will be issued if you cancel your registration one week or less efore the first day of class. There are no refunds for missed classes.
You can always reschedule your class for a later date or a different class of equal or lesser value. If you need to cancel or reschedule please contact the studio by telephone (215-232-2120) or email (info@secondstatepress.org).
If you’re interested in scheduling a 1-on-1 private class, please email info@secondstatepress.org. Increased rates apply to private classes.
If you’re interested in scheduling a private group class or party, or renting the studio, please email info@secondstatepress.org
Yes. While gift cards for individual classes are not available, gift cards can be purchased for the price of a class which the recipient can then apply to the class date of their choice.
Fill out our Instructor Interest form on Airtable.
Class participants cannot work in the studio after the class ends unless they are members. Participants are welcome to purchase a membership on-site after their class to gain studio access.
You do not need any prior printmaking experience to take a class unless listed in the course description.
New class listings can be found on our Instagram page (@secondstatepress), our website as in our newsletter (sign up via our website).
Drinks must be brought in a secure and sealed container and stowed away from worktables, artwork and chemicals. No food is allowed in the studio during class.
Members are eligible for discounts on classes and past Fob Holders are eligible for discounts on studio time.

Studio time

To use the studio, first become a member! A quick and easy way to sign up for a membership is directly through our website. Once you become a member, you are allowed to purchase studio hours. Hours are available to purchase on our website in different increments from 1 hour to yearly unlimited.
No. If you are interested in using a specific equipment in the studio and want to reserve it, please call the studio at 215-232-2120.
We offer facilities for screen printing, copper plate intaglio, relief, monotype and lithography. A full list of our equipment can be found here.
A studio monitor is always on duty while the studio is open. If you have specific questions, please email info@secondstatepress.org.
Members are provided with basic tools and supplies including brayers, ink knives, files, black proofing ink, etching needles, cleaning supplies, litho stones, ferric acid, press blankets, squeegees, scraper bars, scoop coaters and other essential community tools and supplies.
SSP does not provide emulsion, ink, paper, screens, or plates (copper or litho).
Drinks must be brought in a secure and sealed container and stowed away from worktables, artwork and chemicals. For safety reasons, no food is allowed in the studio outside of events.
Members are allowed to store one crate of supplies in the studio space while their membership is active. Flat-files are available to rent for $10/month on a first come first serve basis.
Yes! We offer transparency printing to the general public. Files can be sent to fobholder@secondstatepress.org Please have your file correctly formatted and sized (i.e. “ready to print”) with specific instructions. Pricing can be found here.

Opportunities

The Fob Holder Program is a unique and competitive hybrid work/trade exchange and residency program in which recipients enjoy 24/7 access to professional printmaking facilities in exchange for acting as a studio monitor and assisting with events.
On our website through our online application found here.
Fob Holders are responsible for answering the studio phone and email, checking members in and out of the studio, processing payments and Squarespace orders and maintaining the cleanliness and flow of the print studio.
Yes. Fob Holders are encouraged to utilize their unlimited access to the studio to benefit and grow their own artistic practice. There are opportunities for critique and mentorship through monthly Crit Club and one-on-one discussions.
The Annual Member Print Exchange is an un-juried, open themed print exchange open to all current members of Second State Press. The exchange takes place in the months of November & December.
Hosted by Master Printer Cindi Royce Ettinger, the CRE Fellowship is awarded each summer to an artist whose work demonstrates an uncommon grasp of the printmaking medium and an influential and energetic approach.