- Est. 1980
- 01952 434033
- info@ironbridgefinearts.co.uk
- Ironbridge TF8 7NJ
- Etching Presses
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- Etching PressesAt Ironbridge Fine Arts we have an unparalleled range of Etching Presses. Designed, Built, Engineered, and used by Dedicated Printmakers Since 1980 Direct Drive, Geared and Motorised Etching Presses Available with 4-Inch or 6½-Inch Stainless Steel Top Rollers Includes Printing Runners and a Complimentary Blanket with Your Press Purchase All Etching Presses Print all Intaglio and Relief plates. Enjoy Lifelong Technical Support Registration Systems for multi-plate and reductions Durable Powder-Coated Frame with a Palette of Over 150 Vibrant Colours Delivery, set up and print in your Studio, or Courier Delivery, or pick up from our printmaking Studio and Gallery Printmaking Workshops and Press Demonstrations Available Worldwide Shipping. Flexible No-Interest payment plans are available Call or email us in the Printmaking studio for more help. See our Range below or get in touch for Bespoke price
- Why Choose A Gunning Etching Press?
- Design Your Own Gunning Etching PressDesign Your Own Gunning Etching Press Discover the freedom to create an etching press that perfectly suits your artistic style and needs. Our customisable etching presses offer flexibility in design, size, and functionality, ensuring you can tailor the equipment to your specific requirements. Whether you’re a professional printmaker or an enthusiastic hobbyist, our range allows you to select from various roller materials, bed sizes, and operational features. With precision engineering and durable construction, each customised press is designed to deliver outstanding performance and longevity, making it a valuable investment for your studio.
- Most Popular Etching Presses: Standard ModelsPrinting Presses: Intaglio and Relief Etching Presses – Our extensive range of presses are hand-designed, built, and tested in the UK by our family business, established in 1980. Each press is crafted with precision and care, ensuring reliability and performance. With decades of expertise, we use the very presses we build, ensuring they meet the highest standards for professional printmakers worldwide.
- Mini Thumper Portable Tabletop Etching Press
- Little Thumper Etching Printing Press
- Etching Printing Press No. 1
- Etching Printing Press No. 2
- Etching Printing Press No. 3
- Etching Printing Press No.4
- The Gunning Press & Equipment Workshop
- History of the Gunning Etching Press
- Etching PressesAt Ironbridge Fine Arts we have an unparalleled range of Etching Presses. Designed, Built, Engineered, and used by Dedicated Printmakers Since 1980 Direct Drive, Geared and Motorised Etching Presses Available with 4-Inch or 6½-Inch Stainless Steel Top Rollers Includes Printing Runners and a Complimentary Blanket with Your Press Purchase All Etching Presses Print all Intaglio and Relief plates. Enjoy Lifelong Technical Support Registration Systems for multi-plate and reductions Durable Powder-Coated Frame with a Palette of Over 150 Vibrant Colours Delivery, set up and print in your Studio, or Courier Delivery, or pick up from our printmaking Studio and Gallery Printmaking Workshops and Press Demonstrations Available Worldwide Shipping. Flexible No-Interest payment plans are available Call or email us in the Printmaking studio for more help. See our Range below or get in touch for Bespoke price
- Etching Press Supplies & Equipment
- Aquatint BoxesAquatint Box – Hand Built in Ironbridge Our hand-built Aquatint Box is designed for smooth rosin application, featuring a durable plastic paddle and metal handle for easy operation. Available in standard sizes or custom-made to your specifications. We offer worldwide shipping and UK delivery with installation.
- Aquatint ShelvesHand-built in Ironbridge, our aquatint shelves are available in both standard sizes or custom-built to your exact specifications.
- Etching Press BlanketsBelow are the Printing Blankets that we supply. Our 80% unwoven wool printing blanket is an excellent blanket that comes with each press so you can get printing straight away. If you need a replacement or you would like some more information about etching printing blankets then see our Guide to which blankets and runners to use for all the different types of plates you can print. The Swanskin blankets are gorgeous blankets that will last you a life time they are woven wool so beautifully made and long lasting. Both types of blankets can be washed on a wool wash when they get to inky – dry flat (make sure you put some lovely fabric conditioner in there as well to make them smell lovely) When blankets are new they need running in, so put them though your press around 30 times on hard pressure before using them properly. If you would like any help with your choice please get in touch. We can cut any of our blankets to any size you require and for any make of press. Here are the blankets we offer 80% Unwoven Wool Felt Printing blankets – 1mm thick 80% Unwoven Wool Felt Printing Blankets –…
- Registration Beds, Plates and TabsWe get Perfect Registration using our registration beds, tabs and pins! The registration bed has a grid on it to help you position your plates exactly, and our double registration pins and tabs help you get perfect registration with all plates including lino and woodcut reduction and multiplate printing.
- Relief Printing Runners[iframe width=”425″ height=”450″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/p2T-OqAYLOc”] [iframe width=”425″ height=”450″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/RSy–BdswNk”] [iframe width=”425″ height=”450″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/140IqfJazX8″] [iframe width=”425″ height=”450″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/vlNb4ibj6Vw”] Etching press runners on Gunning ETCHING press Here are our runners that we have available to purchase, they work with any press as long as you have a gap big enough between your rollers. (One set comes free with your press, if you’re buying a press from us) Here is the list of thicknesses that we make and sell but if you need bespoke please call and we will be able to quote you. They come 50mm wide as standard but if you would like them smaller just let us know. 2mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 8mm 10mm 12mm 15mm 20mm 25mm 30mm If you’re purchasing these runners for a press that is not ours you will need to check that you can get runners in between your rollers, before you buy from us, because we will cut these to your sizes and they are not refundable.
- Hotplates for PrintmakersOur range of Printmaking Hotplates Our range of Printmaking Hotplates. Our printmaking hotplates have a range between 0 and 180°C and are set using a digital thermostat. A wire wound silicone heat matt is adhered directly to the 10mm thick Aluminium top which gives 100% uniformity across the heated surface. Stainless steel and mild steel tops are available, please get in touch for a quote. They are easily cleaned and the smaller models are moveable so if you want to take your hotplate with you to workshops you can do. If you want a large Hotplate that you want as a static unit for your professional printmaking studio or workshop then you will find what you want here. All of our hotplates are made so that you can just plug them in and not worry about using up lots of power. They have feet that lift the hotplate up off the workbench and the flat surface of the hotplates are made of 10mm thick aluminium (as standard) stainless steel (optional) or mild steel (optional) All around the heated area of the hotplate surface, there is an additional 62mm giving you more room to work. If you would like a size…
- Acid and Water BathsOur Acid and water baths are 6mm walled Grey PVC, we make them Bespoke and we have our standard range of sizes as well. While we try and keep a good stock of the baths in our Materials Room in our Printmaking Gallery, it is best to order and give around 2 weeks for delivery times – delivery costs £24.99 for any size which includes insurance for anywhere in the UK 480 X 650mm x 4 inches deep 650 X 900mm x 4 inches deep 635 x 1500mm x 4 inches deep 900 x 1250mm x 4 inches deep
- Workstations for Your StudioCustomisable Printmaking Workstations Built with sturdy fabricated steel frames, an easy-to-clean top, four lockable wheels, and two shelves, these workstations are both durable and mobile. Designed for versatility, they can be assembled in just five minutes, making them perfect for transport and ideal for any creative studio. Custom Top Options Materials: Choose from birch ply or Trespa with a top layer of clear acrylic, toughened glass or our registration Bed. Personalisation: Add custom images, text, colours, or registration vinyl between the glass and birch ply for a workstation that’s uniquely yours. Tailored to Your Needs Workstations are available in standard sizes to match our press beds, but we can customise them to any size you require—just provide your dimensions, and we’ll create a quote for you. Standard Sizes and Prices: Standard Height is 87cm but if you would like a custom height get in touch. A4 Plus: 12″ x 29.5″ – £440 A3 Plus: 15″ x 29.5″ – £590 A2 Plus: 18″ x 39.3″ – £720 A1: 25″ x 47.2″ – £810 A0: 35″ x 59″ – £980 With customisable colours and sizes, our workstations are designed to fit seamlessly into your printmaking workflow. Whether you’re creating plates, inking, or…
- Etching Press UpgradesEnhance your printmaking experience with our range of etching press upgrades, designed to improve performance and ease of use. Whether you’re looking for motorised options, bespoke registration beds, or advanced gearing for effortless printing, our upgrades are tailored to meet the needs of any artist. Each upgrade is crafted with the same quality and innovation as our original presses, ensuring reliability and long-lasting performance. Take your prints to the next level with our customisable etching press enhancements.
- Wallpaper Jigs for Etching Printing Press
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- Etching Presses & Printmaking Expertise by Jenny Mason-Gunning
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- Etching Press Info
- Printmaking SuppliesOur Printmaking Supplies are not only manufactured and sold by us, but they are also used daily in our own studios. We personally rely on these products and teach how to use them in our workshops, ensuring you get the best quality and practical advice for your printmaking projects.
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- InksDiscover our extensive range of high-quality printmaking inks, perfect for all printmaking techniques and projects. We proudly stock renowned brands such as Cranfield and our very own Ironbridge inks, amongst others. Whether you’re working with etching, relief, our inks provide rich, consistent colours with excellent performance. Available in a variety of formulations, our selection ensures that both professional and emerging artists can find the perfect ink for their creative needs.
- Etching Inks
- Ironbridge Intaglio Etching InkIronbridge Intaglio Etching Oil-Based Open Ink is designed by a printmaker for printmakers. It features a smooth viscosity, won’t skin over in the tub or on the work surface, and allows you to return any unused ink back to the tub (not tin). It dries within a day or two after printing, making it a perfect choice for vibrant, detailed prints.
- Traditional Oil Based Etching Inks
- Caligo Safe Wash Etching Ink
- Relief Ink
- Ironbridge Relief InkOur Ironbridge Fine Arts Oil-Based Open Ink is expertly formulated for relief printmaking, offering rich, vibrant colours with smooth consistency. Designed to stay open for extended periods, this ink allows for easy manipulation and longer working times, making it perfect for detailed, intricate work. Its high-quality oil-based formulation ensures excellent adhesion and crisp, clean results on a variety of surfaces. Whether you’re creating linocuts, woodcuts, or other relief prints, this ink is a reliable choice for achieving professional, lasting results. Suitable for both beginners and experienced printmakers.
- Tradition Oil Based Relief Inks
- Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink
- Ink AdditivesOur Inking and Wiping Material supplies are designed for the professional printmaker. We stock, sell, and use all our own products in our printmaking studio, ensuring their quality and performance. From beautifully soft wiping muslin to inking corners and ink dabbers, we provide everything you need to keep your studio well-equipped and running smoothly. Whether you’re preparing a plate or cleaning up after a session, our tools are essential for any printmaker.
- Etching Inks
- Printmaking PapersPrintmaking Papers are vital for achieving high-quality results. We offer a range of carefully selected papers used in our studio daily to ensure the best printmaking experience.
- Printmaking Rollers
- Ironbridge Hand Rollers 2''Our Hand Printing Rollers were designed and made for the Printmaker. They are made from nitrile rubber so they are easy to clean and the results you get are fantastic. As printmakers ourselves we love designing, developing and making the tools that that we use every day. These printmaking rollers are a must have for any professional printmaking studio or workshop. The built in stand makes inking rollers easy, simply ink up, and then rest your roller on its stand while you print. When you wish to clean your roller simply sit it on its built in stand and spray your vegetable oil or white spirit onto the roller and wipe clean with a rag. They all have a lovely chunky 6” handle, and they all have the diameter of 2”. They come in singles as well as packs. They all come in Hard (60 shore) Medium (38 shore) and Soft (25 Shore) Click here to see our range of other printmaking supplies.
- Ironbridge Hand Rollers 3''
- Spindle RollersOur Spindle rollers are made from Nitrile rubber, they are excellent quality, easy clean and they are a dream for printmakers to use. We make soft, medium and hard Spindle rollers in 3 different sizes. You can also purchase a Roller Holder for each spindle roller that can sit on the work surface, or be put on the wall. The smallest roller is 4” Diameter x 10” length = a circumference of 12.56” Making the maximum plate size (for double inking) 10” x 12.56” The medium roller is 5” Diameter x 14” length = a circumference of 15.70” Making the maximum plate size (for double inking) 14” x 15.70” The largest roller is 6” Diameter x 21” length = a circumference of 18.84” Making the maximum plate size (for double inking) 20” x 18.84” We can also make bespoke spindle rollers for printmaking and holders so if there is a particular size you would like, get in touch. Click here to see our range of other printmaking supplies.
- Essdee RollersThe Essdee Entry-Level Printing Roller is the perfect tool for beginners and seasoned printmakers. Its smooth, durable rubber surface ensures even ink distribution for consistent, prints. With an easy-to-grip handle and robust construction, this roller is ideal for lino printing, block printing, and other printmaking techniques. Affordable and reliable.
- InksDiscover our extensive range of high-quality printmaking inks, perfect for all printmaking techniques and projects. We proudly stock renowned brands such as Cranfield and our very own Ironbridge inks, amongst others. Whether you’re working with etching, relief, our inks provide rich, consistent colours with excellent performance. Available in a variety of formulations, our selection ensures that both professional and emerging artists can find the perfect ink for their creative needs.
- Printmaking Tools & Accessories
- Relief Printmaking ToolsExplore our range of high-quality Relief Printmaking Tools, perfect for artists of all levels. Get expert advice and find the right tools for your printmaking needs
- Intaglio Printmaking ToolsWe offer a superb range of Intaglio printmaking tools. Need expert advice? Just get in touch – we’re here to help!
- Inking and Wiping Materials
- Printmaking Cleaning Products
- Printmaking Mediums
- Printmaking Powders and Glues
- Lino & Woodblock Materials
- Lino
- Hessian-Backed Traditional Lino
- Lino Plates Unmounted
- Mounted Traditional LinoOur Mounted Traditional Hessian Lino is mounted onto an 18mm fibreboard block, giving extra rigidity for printing.
- Softcut Lino UnmountedOur Softcut 3mm thick Lino Blocks are super smooth which makes cutting very easy. The cutter glides through the surface of the plate with minimum effort. These come in 4 different sizes and you can purchase them in packs of 5 or 10. If you are hand-printing these Lino’s it is possible to get good registration however if your using a printing press its best to either mount them yourself or purchase them mounted already as these plates swash very easily.
- Woodcut
- Lino
- Printmaking Tools & Accessories
- Etching Materials
- Etching PlatesEtching Plates, Polished Zinc, Polished Copper, Polished Aluminium and Unpolished Steel, bespoke and standard sizes We have standard sizes and if you need any bespoke sizes just email or phone us for a quote. We try to keep a good stock of cut metal available, however if we are short on stock and we have to cut more metal there might be a slight delay on delivery. If you need etching times and recipes for acids and mordants follow this link.
- Etching GroundsExplore our comprehensive range of Intaglio Etching Grounds, expertly selected for printmakers of all levels. We manufacture many of the grounds we offer and are proud sellers of products from other trusted manufacturers. Choose from soft, hard, or clear ball grounds, which are applied to a degreased plate heated to 70-80°C on a hotplate. Once applied, the ground can be dabbed or rolled to achieve the desired consistency. We also offer liquid grounds, which can be painted directly onto a plate for diverse effects. Whether you’re seeking clean, strong lines or softer, textured impressions, our range of etching grounds has something for every printmaking style and technique.
- Stopping Out VarnishesHere is our range of stopping out Varnishes. We have the traditional Rhind’s Stopping out varnish that is dark and has a great coverage to the Straw Hat Varnish that is quick to dry to the Brunswick black that has excellent coverage but takes a while to dry. They all have their different qualities and are all excellent to use. We are soon adding to our range the Non-Toxic Lascaux range. As soon as they have arrived from Switzerland we will put them on the website.
- Lascaux Acrylic Resist EtchingThe Lascaux acrylic resist etching system consists of solvent-free, versatile reliable products, all of them eco-friendly and economical. Lascaux offers a complete range of safe and environment-friendly materials to replace the traditional acid resists. These products have been developed in collaboration with professional printmakers. Such reliable acrylic resists provide all the properties associated with traditional materials and are suited for all working methods. Due to the versatility of the products, the opportunities in painting are expanded and new different applications are enabled.
- Intaglio Etching ”How To”
- Etching ToolsPrintmaking Tools You Can Trust—Expertly Selected and Used in Our Own Studios Our printmaking tools aren’t just items we stock—they’re a vital part of our daily work. Carefully selected from trusted manufacturers and complemented by tools we design and produce ourselves, our collection offers the precision and reliability artists need. From lino cutters and etching needles to burnishers and rollers, we provide everything you need to achieve professional results. Each tool in our range is chosen for its quality and performance, meeting the standards we expect in our own studio. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced printmaker, our tools are built to support a wide variety of techniques and bring your creative vision to life.
- Inking and Wiping MaterialsInking and Wiping Materials for Professional Printmakers Our range of Inking and Wiping Materials meets the exacting standards of professional printmakers. These are the same high-quality products we use daily in our own studio, ensuring reliability, performance, and excellence in every application. From luxuriously soft wiping muslin for perfect plate preparation to inking corners and ink dabbers for precision and ease, we stock everything you need to keep your studio running efficiently. Whether you’re meticulously inking a plate or cleaning up after a productive session, our supplies are essential for every stage of the process. Need advice? Want discount for large orders Get in touch! We’re just a phone call away and always happy to help you find the perfect materials for your needs
- Drypoint Materials
- Collagraph Materials
- Etching Materials
- Printmaking Packs
- Registration & Alignment
- Registration Pins and TabsOur Registration Pins, complete with 50 tabs, give printmakers precise control over registration, ensuring perfect alignment every time. Developed through years of experience with our presses, these pins work with or without a press, accommodating any plate thickness. Simply use a regular hole punch or the provided plastic tabs for accurate paper placement. For thin paper or multi-colour prints, the reusable plastic tabs and hole strengtheners ensure durability. We’re happy to share our techniques and invite you to book a print demonstration for hands-on learning.
- Relief Printing RunnersOur precision printmaking runners are designed for flawless relief plate printing on an etching press. Skip the blankets and use packing paper over your printing paper for perfect results. These runners ensure exact pressure for crisp, clean prints every time. Jenny Mason-Gunning’s registration systems are renowned for their accuracy, making them an essential tool for professional printmakers.
- Registration Beds, Plates and TabsWe get Perfect Registration using our registration beds, tabs and pins! The registration bed has a grid on it to help you position your plates exactly, and our double registration pins and tabs help you get perfect registration with all plates including lino and woodcut reduction and multiplate printing.
- Photo Etching Materials
- Ironbridge Professional Aquatint ScreensIronbridge Professional Aquatint Screens – Designed by Printmakers, for Printmakers Designed by printmakers, for printmakers. Developed through years of professional printmaking experience. Our Professional Aquatint Screens have been carefully designed and developed by specialist printmaker Jenny Mason-Gunning to deliver exceptional tonal quality, fine detail and consistent, reliable results. Manufactured to our own exacting specifications, these high-resolution screens are designed for photopolymer and photo-etching processes, allowing printmakers to achieve beautiful, rich blacks, delicate highlights and a full range of tonal values. Available in Fine Dot and Coarse Dot, our screens give you the flexibility to explore different textures, tonal effects and printing techniques. Professionally developed. Studio tested. Made for printmakers who demand exceptional results.
- Photopolymer Plates
- Ironbridge Inkjet Acetate
- Ironbridge Fine Arts Step Test
- Printmaking Plates
- Drypoint PlatesWe offer high-quality drypoint plates in aluminium, copper, zinc, and styrene, available in standard sizes or cut precisely to your custom dimensions. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best option for your needs: Styrene: Ideal for beginners and experienced printmakers alike, styrene allows you to achieve around 25-30 prints before lines begin to soften (provided you apply sufficient pressure with your drypoint tool). Polished Copper: Beautifully polished and perfect for detailed work, copper offers a lovely, smooth surface that’s satisfying to draw into or engrave Natural Zinc: Softer than copper and provided in its natural state, zinc requires a polish for optimal use. Mill-Finished Aluminium: With an almost mirror-like finish, aluminium is the softest option, allowing for around 10 prints before the plate begins to wear. For custom sizes or additional details, please get in touch—these plates cater to printmakers at every level.
- Etching PlatesEtching Plates, Polished Zinc, Polished Copper, Polished Aluminium and Unpolished Steel, bespoke and standard sizes We have standard sizes and if you need any bespoke sizes just email or phone us for a quote. We try to keep a good stock of cut metal available, however if we are short on stock and we have to cut more metal there might be a slight delay on delivery. If you need etching times and recipes for acids and mordants follow this link.
- Registration Beds, Plates and TabsWe get Perfect Registration using our registration beds, tabs and pins! The registration bed has a grid on it to help you position your plates exactly, and our double registration pins and tabs help you get perfect registration with all plates including lino and woodcut reduction and multiplate printing.
- Framing & Giclee Printing
- Fine Art Framing
- Bespoke Moulding Range
- Cast Moulding and Bespoke Framing Services
- Custom Made Mirrors
- Display Cases
- Dry Mounting Artwork
- Examples of Finished Frames
- Fine Art Trade Guild Certified Framing
- Framing Memorabilia, Sports Shirts, Antiques and Collectables
- Medal Framing
- Mountboard
- Mount Lines and Washes
- Specialist Glass
- Wedding Dress Framing
- Fine Art Framing
- Jenny Mason-Gunning
- Jenny Mason-Gunning Printmaker
- Studio and Practice with Jenny Mason-Gunning
- Printmaking Workshops Courses and TuitionPrintmaking Workshops with Jenny Mason-Gunning Printmaking is best learned in the studio — through making, experimenting, and working directly at the press. I offer specialist printmaking workshops that are entirely tailored to you, whether you are a complete beginner, returning to print after time away, or developing a professional body of work. Every session is shaped around your interests, pace and goals. You can come for a focused one-hour intensive, a full day of deep studio work, or book several days to explore a technique properly. Workshops can cover any process, including etching, aquatint, photogravure, mezzotint, drypoint, collagraph, lino cutting, woodcut and reduction printing. Choose the workshop format that suits you best: In My Studio (Ironbridge Fine Arts)Step into a fully equipped working print studio, with professional presses, materials and facilities ready for every technique — a space designed for making without compromise. In Your Studio or OrganisationI also deliver demonstrations and workshops in other studios, schools and printmaking spaces, bringing specialist knowledge and practical teaching directly to you. Online via ZoomFor printmakers further afield, I offer one-to-one Zoom sessions — ideal for guidance, troubleshooting, process planning, or developing work remotely. Workshops are available as one-to-one tuition or for small…
- Tools Made Through Practice by Jenny Mason-Gunning
- Jenny Mason-Gunning Bodies Of WorkHere is a collection of my ongoing bodies of work exploring place, memory and landscape through printmaking — each series shaped by process, light and time.
- The Ironbridge CollectionThe Ironbridge Collection began in 2003, when I first moved to Ironbridge after completing my specialist printmaking degree in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. From the very beginning, I was captivated by the beauty, history and atmosphere of this extraordinary place, and I opened a small gallery here to share my work and begin creating prints inspired by the local landscape. Over the years, this body of work has grown into one of my most recognisable and beloved collections. It includes early prints made in those first years, alongside newer and highly sought-after pieces created more recently. Many works in the collection have sold out, but in some cases I still have prints available from the original editions. Ironbridge is the most peaceful, romantic and inspiring place I have ever lived. Meeting my husband here, raising our two boys, and building our gallery and studios in this community for over twenty-five years has meant the world to us. The Iron Bridge itself is endlessly fascinating — and notoriously difficult to capture. Its structure, shape and presence offer a challenge that I return to again and again as an etcher. I have created countless works inspired by it over the years, drawn to its…
- Woodland and TreesThe Woodland and Trees collection is born from a deep and lasting love of trees — their presence, their beauty, and the quiet way they hold the world together. I have always been drawn to woodland. Trees feel endlessly inspiring to me: strong yet delicate, familiar yet mysterious, changing constantly with light, weather and season. I seek them out wherever I go — in the early morning when mist hangs low between the trunks, in the evening when branches are caught in gold and shadow, and even at night when their silhouettes become almost dreamlike against the dark. There is something profoundly moving about trees. They are living structures of patience and resilience, shaping the landscape over decades and centuries. They offer shelter, oxygen, habitat, and life — and in so many ways they keep the planet alive. To spend time observing them is grounding, and to translate them into print feels like an act of attention and gratitude. The works in this series explore trees not just as subjects, but as presences — full of character, atmosphere and emotion. Some prints focus on a single remarkable tree, studied closely and lovingly. Others open out into woodland spaces, where repetition…
- Bothies and SolitudeBothies and Solitude is a collection centred on abandoned shelters — buildings left to weather, soften and slowly return to the landscape. Many of the works were inspired by remote bothies in Scotland and Wales, simple structures built for survival, once filled with labour, warmth and human presence, now standing quietly beneath wide skies. The series grew from early mornings and long journeys. On one such morning, rising at 4am to draw at the Callanish Stones, I found myself drawn toward a cluster of small buildings sitting quietly on the peninsula. There was something irresistible about them — modest, weathered, enduring beside ancient stone. I began exploring, and this body of work emerged from that encounter. These structures speak of endurance and fragility at once. Stone walls resist wind and rain; empty doorways open to the elements; roofs collapse inward yet still hold their shape. They carry traces of habitation and history, yet exist now in profound solitude. I am drawn not only to their form, but to the atmosphere that surrounds them — the silence of the landscape, the shifting light across rough stone, the vastness of sky pressing down on modest walls. Many of the plates in this…
- MonumentsThe Monuments series by Jenny Mason-Gunning explores ancient and historic sites that have shaped both landscape and memory. These are places of endurance — structures built to outlast generations, standing in quiet witness to time. Growing up, Jenny’s parents regularly travelled to visit and record these monuments. Her father in particular was driven to find and document them — a quiet obsession rooted in preservation and history. Those journeys became part of her childhood rhythm, and over time, the sites themselves became familiar presences. For Jenny, the connection is not about documentation alone. It is about response. A strong care and respect for these remarkable places — their atmosphere, scale and silence. The work does not aim to replicate them precisely, but to capture the emotional charge of standing before them: the weight of stone, the pull of horizon, the way light moves across surfaces shaped centuries ago. Through intaglio, mezzotint and layered print processes, Jenny translates these encounters into tonal depth and surface richness. The monuments are not treated as relics, but as living presences within the landscape — steady, resilient, and deeply human in their endurance. This series reflects both inheritance and individuality: a continuation of early influences,…
- Industrial GhostsIndustrial Ghosts is a collection rooted in abandoned factories and industrial buildings — places once driven by labour, noise and human intensity, and now left standing in silence. I am drawn to the heritage held within these spaces. Their scale, their structure, the architecture built for purpose and endurance. These buildings were not decorative — they were engines of production, shaped by necessity and repetition. They held movement, machinery, heat, and long working days. When I visit these sites, I feel the weight of what remains. The echo of voices. The presence of labour. The unseen histories embedded in brick, steel and concrete. There is something deeply human in these spaces — not romantic, but real. They carry traces of effort, of blood, sweat and exhaustion. Of industry that sustained communities and shaped landscapes. Now, stripped of machinery and function, they feel suspended in time. Light falls differently in empty buildings. Dust settles where noise once filled the air. Structures built for productivity become monuments to memory. Through etching and layered print processes, I explore this tension between power and decay. I am interested in atmosphere as much as architecture — the way shadow holds space, the way scale creates…
- Feelings & ThresholdsFeelings & Thresholds is an evolving body of work that explores moments of transition — both physical and emotional. It centres on spaces of crossing: doorways, edges, openings, boundaries, and the quiet pause before or after movement. These thresholds may be architectural, environmental, or internal. I am interested in the subtle shifts that happen in these in-between spaces. The feeling of standing at an entrance. The tension of stepping forward. The weight of memory carried through a doorway. Thresholds mark change — from light to dark, inside to outside, past to present — and often hold a quiet emotional charge. This collection brings together finished prints alongside studies, process-led works, and step tests. These pieces sit together intentionally. The studies are not secondary; they reveal the thinking, the searching, and the experimentation that underpin the final works. They hold their own energy — sometimes raw, sometimes unresolved — and reflect the emotional undercurrent that runs through the series. Through mainly etching, aquatint, layering, and mark-making as well as other technics, I explore atmosphere as much as structure. I am drawn to the feeling of pause — the suspended moment before something shifts. These works consider vulnerability and resilience, exposure and…
- The Aga Rayburn Factory CollectionThis body of work records the quiet presence of the Aga Rayburn Factory — a vast industrial space once filled with noise, labour and purpose. Now stripped back to bare brick, steel, and shadow, the building stands in stillness. Light falls through broken roof panels and tall windows, cutting across pillars and debris. The space feels both powerful and fragile — heavy with history, yet exposed to time. In these etchings, I have tried to capture the contrast that moved me most deeply: the darkness that presses in from behind, and the light that insists on entering. The emptiness is not hollow; it is full — of memory, of imagined voices, of the rhythm of machines that once shaped metal and heat. This collection is not about nostalgia. It is about presence. About standing inside a space that once held industry and feeling its solitude now. About recording something before it disappears completely. The Aga Rayburn Factory Collection holds that tension — strength and vulnerability, shadow and illumination, past and present — etched into copper and held in ink.
- Jenny Mason-Gunning Bodies Of WorkHere is a collection of my ongoing bodies of work exploring place, memory and landscape through printmaking — each series shaped by process, light and time.
- Printmaking Workshops
- Exploring Printmaking Techniques
- Printmaking in Practice: Artist Profiles & Techniques
- Intaglio Etching -A Journey into the Art and Process
- Etching Recipes
- Drypoint Printmaking
- Drypoint Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Plates, Tools, Burrs, Inking, Wiping and Printing
- Solar Plate Photogravure
- Collagraph Printmaking: Plaster of Paris
- Collagraph Card Cut-Out
- Tetra Pak
- Carborundum
- Monoprint & Monotype
- Lino & Woodblock: Single Colour, Multi-Plate, Reduction
- Letterpress on the Etching Press
- Exploring Printmaking Techniques
- Printmaking Workshops Courses and TuitionJoin our Printmaking Workshops for all levels and learn techniques like etching and photopolymer with expert guidance in a professional studio.
- Book Your One-to-One Printmaking Workshops with Jenny Mason-GunningOne-to-One Printmaking Workshops with Jenny Mason-Gunning Available in your studio, at our Ironbridge studio, or over Zoom Discover the joy of printmaking with a personalised one-to-one workshop led by specialist printmaker Jenny Mason-Gunning. Each session is completely tailored to you — whether you’re a complete beginner, an experienced printmaker looking to refine a technique, or someone simply wanting a creative and inspiring experience. You can book 1 hour, 3 hours, a full day, or several days, and decide exactly what you’d like to learn on the day. Techniques include etching, lino, drypoint, collagraph, photogravure, plate making, inking, printing, or a combination of several processes. Every workshop is designed around your goals, your pace, and your interests, ensuring you get the very most out of your time. These sessions also make a wonderful gift, and gift vouchers are available on request. Learn, experiment, and create — with expert guidance every step of the way.
- The Workshops at Ironbridge Printmaking Studios
- Etching Press Collection or Delivery with Workshop
- Printmaking Workshops to Your Studio
- Printmaking Workshops for Schools
- Printmaking Techniques
- Printing Processes
- Printmaking How-To's
- Printmaking Workshops Courses and TuitionJoin our Printmaking Workshops for all levels and learn techniques like etching and photopolymer with expert guidance in a professional studio.
- Gallery
- 2026 Printmaking Competition
- Buy Art by Featured ArtistsHere at Ironbridge Fine Arts, we pride ourselves on giving you access to works of Artwork for sale from some of Shropshire’s finest local artists as well as international invited guest Artists. Our beautiful Gallery is steeped in History; one of four iconic iron foundry buildings built in the 1890’s by the Coalbrookdale company founded by Abraham Darby in 1709. It contains a 40ft high ceiling and a total of 104 glass panels giving us spectacular light and space for our exhibitions. Get invitations to our Private Views and Exhibition Opening Evenings by filling in the form on the homepage. Our exhibitions are carefully curated to give both well-known artists and emerging artists from near and far, a platform to beautifully display and sell their work. We have a wide range of work available to purchase online which can be delivered directly to your door or collected from Ironbridge in Shropshire. Find out more about our amazing stable of Artists and their exceptional work. Our Gallery is free of charge to the public and opens 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Friday and Saturdays from 10 am till 3 pm with designated parking and disabled access. To find out…
- Commission a Piece of Artwork
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