What Spike Print Studio does

Spike Print Studio is a registered charitable organisation (Spike Print Studio Ltd, Company Number 1298190) operating the largest open-access print studio in the South West of England from Spike Island, 133 Cumberland Road, Bristol. Founded in 1976 by Peter Reddick and a group of artists as Bristol Artspace, the studio provides access to professional printmaking equipment — including a Tofko large-format etching press, Big Bed E Natgraph screenprinting press, KIPPAX LED exposure unit, an Albion relief press dating from 1842, a Vandercook letterpress, and a Natgraph photopolymer exposure unit — covering intaglio, relief, screenprinting, photopolymer and letterpress processes.

The organisation serves a base of around 160 active members alongside course participants, editioning clients and print buyers. It runs roughly 40 courses and workshops per year, ranging from one-day workshops (£155) and half-term workshops (£190) through 5-week (£232) and 10-week (£382.50) courses to year-long portfolio programmes at £1,525. Membership is sold in five tiers from Affiliate (£10.50/month, no access) to Key-holder (£110.30/month, 24-hour access), with non-member day-rate access at £32/hour. Additional revenue comes from professional editioning at £300 per day, limited-edition print sales (£35-£75), and donations including a 2023 crowdfunding campaign.

The studio also delivers an editioning programme (since 2008) producing limited-edition prints for named artists such as James Ireland, Richard Long and Sonia Boyce, and for institutional clients including Hauser & Wirth and Arnolfini. Operations are supported by an eight-person staff team (Studio Manager, Technical Manager, Learning Programme Manager, Membership Coordinator and four Studio Technicians), a Board of Trustees (currently recruiting a new Chair), and a network of partnerships spanning Spike Island, UWE Bristol School of Arts, the Centre for Print Research, Borderlands, and Quartet Community Foundation. The studio does not receive core funding and is launching the Spike Print Fair in July 2026 as a new commercial and reputational initiative.

Name

Spike Print Studio

Legal name

Spike print Studio Ltd

Website

https://spikeprintstudio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Spike Print Studio is a Bristol-based charitable organisation, founded in 1976, operating the largest open-access print studio in the South West of England. It serves 160 members, course attendees, and editioning clients with professional printmaking facilities, courses, and limited-edition print sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Printmaking Services & Art Education

NAICS

Printing (32311), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)

akta.pro primary industry

Large-Format & Specialty Printing (Signage, Posters, Displays) (MPAJALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

On‑Demand Copy & Print Shops (Walk‑In / Quick Print) (EDAEAJAA), Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF)

Keywords

• Printmaking courses
• Open-access print studio
• Art education workshops
• Limited edition prints
• Printmaker memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Monthly recurring revenue from membership tiers ranging from £31.50 to £110.30 per month, providing different levels of studio access from evening-only to 24-hour keyholder access
2. Printmaking Courses: One-time course fees including 5-week courses (£232), 10-week courses (£382.50), year-long portfolio courses (£1,525), and summer school workshops (£155-£455)
3. Original Print Sales: Sale of limited edition prints created by artist members, with prices ranging from £35 to £75
4. Professional Editioning Services: Professional editioning services at £300 per day for artists needing assistance with print production
5. Donations and Support: Charitable donations and affiliate membership (£10.50/month) to support studio operations, including crowdfunding campaigns

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spike Print Studio is a charitable organisation operating the largest open-access print studio in the South West of England, offering professional printmaking facilities (intaglio, relief, screenprinting, photopolymer, letterpress) to artists and the public. It sells recurring memberships, runs structured printmaking courses from one-day workshops to year-long portfolio programmes, produces limited edition prints through an editioning service, and retails original prints via an online shop.

Product overview

Spike Print Studio operates as a charitable organisation providing the largest open-access print studio in the South West of England. The company offers a multi-product portfolio consisting of: (1) Printmaking Courses ranging from one-day workshops to year-long Portfolio Courses covering screenprinting, etching, relief, and textiles; (2) Membership Programs providing tiered studio access with equipment use; (3) an Online Shop for purchasing limited edition prints; (4) professional Editioning Services for artists; (5) Spike Print Fair events; and (6) the Peter Reddick Bursary award programme. Founded in 1976, the studio is based at Spike Island in Bristol and serves artists from beginners to professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Printmaking Courses Diverse programme of printmaking courses, workshops, and masterclasses for all skill levels, from one-day workshops to ten-week evening classes and year-long portfolio courses, run throughout the year for individuals from beginners to experienced artists.
• Membership Programs Tiered monthly subscriptions providing individual printmakers with access to specialist printmaking equipment and studio facilities, including Key-holder (£110.30/month, 24-hour access), Standard (£78.80/month), Day Time (£57.75/month), Evening (£31.50/month), and Affiliate (£10.50/month) tiers.
• Open-Access Studio Facilities Open-access print studio facilities in Bristol offering equipment for intaglio, relief, screenprinting, photopolymer, and letterpress processes, including large format etching presses, screenprinting presses, LED exposure units, and a historic 1842 Albion relief press, accessible to members and non-members.
• Editioning Services Professional print editioning services priced at £300 per day, producing limited edition prints in collaboration with artists, residency programmes, and galleries such as Hauser & Wirth and Arnolfini.
• Year-Long Portfolio Courses Year-long intensive portfolio programmes priced at £1,525 covering Intaglio/Etching, Screenprinting, Contemporary Relief, Textiles Printmaking, Extended Illustration, or general Print, for artists seeking sustained practice development.
• Summer School Workshops Intensive multi-day workshops during summer including Colour Mixing (1 day, £155), Wood Engraving (4 days, £440), and Wallpaper Printing (4 days, £455).
• Online Shop — Limited Edition Prints E-commerce platform selling limited edition original prints made by artist members at the studio, with prices ranging from £35 to £75 (plus £5 P&P), covering screenprint, etching, lino print, relief, photopolymer, and letterpress techniques.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 courses and workshops run per year serving diverse skill levels
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Spike IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-host of Spike Print Fair (July 2026) and shared location partner. Spike Island is the former tea packing factory now contemporary art centre where Spike Print Studio is located. Partnership includes annual Spike Open event where the studio participates in building-wide Open Studios.
• UWE Bristol School of ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Academic partner in the Spike Print Fair collaboration, bringing together education and industry. The Centre for Print Research (CFPR) at UWE collaborates on the fair and research initiatives.
• Centre for Print Research (CFPR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Research partner at UWE Bristol specializing in print research, collaborating on Spike Print Fair and potentially other print research initiatives.
• Hauser & WirthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational contemporary art gallery that Spike Print Studio has worked with through their editioning program, producing prints for gallery artists.
• ArnolfiniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBristol-based international centre for contemporary arts that Spike Print Studio has collaborated with through editioning services.
• BorderlandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee support organization that partners with Spike Print Studio for monthly printmaking workshops, providing creative opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Arnolfini: Bristol-based international centre for contemporary arts that has used Spike's editioning services. Adjacent peer rather than direct competitor, as Arnolfini is a gallery/exhibition venue but overlaps in commissioning prints from artists.
• Centre for Print Research (UWE Bristol): Academic research centre at UWE Bristol specialising in print research and collaborating with Spike Print Studio on the Spike Print Fair. Adjacent peer because of overlapping print research focus, but operates as a university research unit rather than an open-access studio.
• Spike Island: Contemporary art centre and physical host of Spike Print Studio in Bristol. Not a direct competitor as it focuses on visual arts residencies and exhibitions, but the co-location creates ecosystem overlap and joint programming such as the annual Spike Open.

Direct peers

• Leeds Print Workshop: Open-access printmaking facility in Leeds offering courses, membership, and equipment hire across intaglio, screenprint, and relief. Comparable to Spike as a regional open-access studio serving artists and beginners.
• London Print Studio: Charitable open-access print studio in London offering courses, memberships, and editioning. Directly comparable to Spike as a registered charity providing printmaking education and access to professional equipment.
• Curwen Print Study Centre: Printmaking centre in Cambridge providing courses, studio access, and editioning services. Comparable to Spike as a specialist print education and access facility for artists and learners.
• Print Club London: Screenprinting studio in London offering memberships, courses, and editioning services. Comparable to Spike as a printmaking access studio with a retail and editioning arm, though more focused on screenprint.
• Eastside Print: Open-access printmaking studio in Birmingham providing printmaking courses, studio hire, and a gallery. Comparable to Spike as a community-focused print studio with membership tiers and educational courses.
• Hot Bed Press: Open-access printmaking studio in Manchester offering courses, memberships, and editioning services across screenprint, etching, and relief. Directly comparable to Spike Print Studio as a regional open-access print studio with educational programmes and equipment access.
• Edinburgh Printmakers: Open-access printmaking workshop and gallery in Edinburgh with courses, memberships, and editioning services. Directly comparable to Spike as a long-established print studio combining education, studio access, and exhibition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/spikeprint
• Facebookfacebook.com/spikeprintstudio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spike-print-studio-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spike Print Studio