This Year’s Prize Line-Up Has Absolutely Blown Us Away – Over £10,000 worth of Prizes!
Every year when we launch the Ironbridge Printmakers Open Exhibition, we hope it grows a little more. More artists, more conversations, more excitement around printmaking and the incredible people keeping it alive and pushing it forward.
But this year feels different.
The entries arriving through the door have been absolutely phenomenal. We’ve had work sent in from across the UK and around the world, and genuinely, some of the pieces have stopped us in our tracks. There’s such a mix of tradition, experimentation, technical skill and raw creativity this year, it’s exactly why we love doing this.
And alongside the exhibition itself, the support from sponsors, studios, suppliers and workshops has been incredible. What started as a small idea to celebrate printmaking has turned into a huge collective effort from people who genuinely care about artists and making opportunities accessible.
The Main Ironbridge Fine Arts Prizes
Ironbridge Fine Arts UK Prize
One UK printmaker will win a Little Thumper Gunning Etching Press worth £1,550.
This one means a lot to us personally. The Gunning Presses started with our father Dave back in 1980, building presses by hand because he believed artists deserved beautifully engineered tools that actually made printmaking easier and more accessible. Seeing these presses now supporting artists all over the world still feels quite surreal.
Ironbridge Fine Arts International Prize
Our international winner will receive a Mini Thumper Gunning Etching Press, worth £1,000, including worldwide shipping.
We never wanted geography to limit opportunities within this exhibition, so making sure international artists could be properly supported was really important to us.
The Colour Prize (One of Our Favourites…)
The Ironbridge Colour Prize is honestly such a fun one.
One artist will get the opportunity to create their own custom professional printmaking ink colour, with 10 pots produced and their colour permanently added into the Ironbridge Printmakers Ink Range.
There’s something really exciting about the idea of an artist leaving behind an actual colour as part of the exhibition’s legacy.
Exhibition & Gallery Opportunities
Ironbridge Fine Arts Gallery Prize
Three printmakers will be selected as Featured Printmakers in a dedicated exhibition at Ironbridge Fine Arts Gallery.
As gallery owners ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to get meaningful exhibition opportunities, especially ones where printmaking is genuinely celebrated rather than treated as secondary to other mediums. We’re really excited about this one.
Studio Access & Printmaking Development
Leicester Print Workshop
A long-established and deeply respected centre for printmaking in the UK, Leicester Print Workshop has supported generations of artists through access, education and community. One artist will receive a full year of studio access.
Art Lab
Art Lab continues to champion hands-on experimentation and contemporary making. One selected artist will receive three months’ access to their studio space — a chance to really push ideas forward in a supported environment.
Edinburgh Printmakers
One artist will receive a place on a 2026 evening or weekend course.
Edinburgh Printmakers has an incredible legacy in both traditional and experimental print, and their courses continue to be a vital entry point and development space for artists at all levels.
Spike Print Studio
A one-day colour mixing course
Spike Print Studio in Bristol has a brilliant reputation for technical teaching and open, experimental practice. This prize focuses on colour — often one of the most transformative parts of printmaking.
Gloucestershire Printmaking Cooperative
A weekend printmaking course place
A welcoming, artist-led cooperative that focuses on shared learning and accessible studio practice. This prize reflects that ethos — learning through making, alongside others.
East London Printmakers
£100 voucher towards courses, sessions or membership
A vital part of London’s printmaking landscape, East London Printmakers is known for its community-led studio environment and commitment to supporting both emerging and established artists.
West Yorkshire Print Workshop
£80 credit towards membership or courses
A studio deeply rooted in access and education, supporting printmakers across the region with affordable space and professional facilities.
CraftCourses
£100 voucher redeemable across creative courses in the UK
A platform that opens up creative learning across disciplines, helping artists access new skills and approaches wherever they are based.
The Yard Print Studio
£50 voucher for workshops and courses
A small, artist-led studio run by printmaker Nichola Goff in the Forest of Dean, focused on hands-on making, experimentation and community.
Materials, Paper & Printmaking Support
Awagami Paper Award
50 sheets of AWAGAMI EDITIONING washi paper worth £400
Awagami continue to preserve and evolve traditional Japanese papermaking. Their papers are deeply considered, tactile and widely respected in contemporary printmaking practice.
Hahnemühle UK Ltd
£200 worth of professional printmaking paper
One of the most established fine art paper makers in the world, Hahnemühle continues to support artists with archival, high-quality surfaces trusted across disciplines.
St Cuthberts Mill
25 sheets of Somerset Satin 250gsm (worth £176)
A historic British paper mill producing papers that are widely used across printmaking, drawing and fine art practice.
John Purcell Paper
£150 voucher
A long-standing UK supplier of specialist papers for artists, known for breadth, knowledge and consistent support of printmaking communities.
Speedball
£120 voucher
Speedball continue to support experimental and accessible printmaking, particularly through screen printing and relief inks widely used by artists and educators.
Essdee
Two vouchers: £100 and £50
Essdee are a key name in lino and relief printmaking materials, supporting both education and professional practice with accessible tools.
Roberson and Co
Two comprehensive printmaking kits
A historic supplier of artist materials, Roberson continue to provide tools and resources that support multiple printmaking processes.
South West Art
£100 materials voucher + studio hire day
A brilliant independent supplier supporting artists with materials alongside real studio access — something that makes a huge difference in practice development.
Framing & Exhibition Support
Lion Picture Framing Prize
Four artists will have their work professionally framed by Ironbridge Fine Arts using new Lion mouldings.
Lion are a respected UK moulding supplier, and this prize ensures selected works are presented to gallery standard.
Centrado Trading Framing Prize
Ten student artworks framed in Centrado Luxe moulding with Invisible AR70 Artglass
Centrado continue to support exhibition presentation with high-quality framing solutions that protect and elevate student work for display.
Experiences & Additional Prizes
The Valley Hotel
One night bed and breakfast for two, plus wine on arrival
A beautiful Ironbridge venue offering a warm welcome and a chance to enjoy the local area alongside the exhibition.
White Hart Voucher
£50 towards food and drink at the Ironbridge venue
A much-loved local spot supporting the exhibition community.
Pressing Matters
Three magazine issues plus tote bag
A key publication championing contemporary printmaking practice and conversation.
Printmaking Today
One year subscription
A leading publication dedicated entirely to printmaking practice, discourse and community.
Fine Art Trade Guild
One year Associate Membership
Providing professional recognition, resources and industry connection for artists working across the visual arts.
Visual Art Network
£20 gallery voucher
Supporting artists and audiences through accessible gallery engagement and contemporary art retail.
A final word
What makes this exhibition special isn’t just the work on the walls, it’s the people behind it. The sponsors, studios, suppliers and makers who choose to invest in artists in very real, practical ways.
We are deeply grateful to every one of them.
And to the artists who entered this year, the standard has been extraordinary.
We can’t wait to share the selected works and finally bring this year’s exhibition to life.
It’s shaping up to be something very special indeed.
