Studio Rental

 

Have a project or freelance job in mind but need to access letterpress equipment? Want to complete a bookbinding project but need space or special tools? SFCB can help!

 


Who is eligible?

Students can be certified to work in the print studio or bindery by completing a Core certification workshop series. They may also be certified to rent facilities by completing an examination with the Studio Director. To be certified to use the guillotine or electric cutter, you must schedule a training time with SFCB staff.  Requests for a certification examination or qualification for a special piece of equipment can be made to chad@sfcb.org.

 

How it Works

Print Studio Equipment Rental Requests

Daytime print studio and equipment rentals are available in 6 hour blocks, Wednesday–Friday from 10 am–4 pm. There are some exceptions due to workshops or special events. Occasional evening and weekend studio and equipment rental blocks are available. Evening rental blocks are 4 hours, from 5–9 pm. Weekend rental blocks are 6 hours, from 10 am–4 pm.

Upcoming evening/weekend dates: November 17, November 21, December 11. More dates may be added.

Paid studio rental is not required to set type or prepare for a project. Free typesetting table space can be reserved below. A prepaid reservation is required for any amount of press time, and is inclusive of setup and break down time.

All print studio rental blocks are $50. Weekday daytime rentals only (Wed–Fri, 10am–4 pm) are eligible for a $10 discount (reducing the rental fee to $40) using the coupon code DAYTIME. Reservations for evening and weekend rentals using this code will not be accepted.

 

Bindery Studio Rental Requests

Daytime Bindery studio rental is available in 3 hour blocks, Wednesday–Friday from 10 am–4 pm. There are some exceptions due to workshops or special events. Occasional evening and weekend studio and equipment rental blocks are available. Evening rental blocks are 4 hours, from 5–9 pm. Weekend rental blocks are 6 hours, from 10 am–4 pm.

Upcoming evening/weekend dates: November 17, November 21, December 11. More dates may be added.

All bindery studio rental blocks are $20 for three hours. You may combine multiple blocks, pending availability. Please use the tool below to select the number of hours you intend to rent.

Hand Bookbinders of California members may rent the bindery studio for free, pending availability. Contact info@sfcb.org for more information.

 

Power Guillotine Paper Cutter Rental Requests

The print studio is equipped with a 30" Challenge power guillotine paper cutter. Studio renters who are eligible to use this machine may use it during their paid rental block at no additional charge, provided there are no other renters booked for that time. The guillotine paper cutter may be reserved separately by the hour for $20 per hour. 

 

 

 

 


 

Studio Rental Policies

  • SFCB requires 24 hours advance cancellation notice.

  • You must book in advance using the calendar above. If you have not received a confirmation email, you do not have a studio block reserved.

  • When you arrive for your studio rental, you must check in with the front desk and check out when you leave.

  • SFCB's studios are a community space where respect and accountability are of the utmost importance. You are responsible for leaving the space cleaner than you found it and reporting any equipment issues in writing. You can email info@sfcb.org, or speak directly to a member of staff.

  • For safety and maintenance reasons, it is very important that you only use equipment you have been thoroughly trained to use.

  • Guests and visitors must sign a waiver and are not allowed to touch any of the equipment or assist with cleaning the equipment.

  • The studio can be a busy place, so please assume that your time slot only lasts for the exact rental period: 10:00am-4:00pm or 5:00pm-9:00pm. These time slots include set-up and clean up.

 

Equipment Available in the Print Studio

  • Six Vandercook proof presses 
  • Two C&P jobbing platen presses 10” x 15”
  • Two C&P jobbing platen presses 8” x 12”
  • Four 6” x10” tabletop platen presses (advance request only)
  • One 15 x 30” etching press (advance request only)
  • 30” Kuttrimmer
  • 26” tabletop Kuttrimmer
  • 30" Challenge power guillotine paper cutter
  • An A-3 photopolymer platemaker
  • Many cases of wood and metal type

Equipment Available in the Bindery

  • Three board shears
  • 30” manual Challenge guillotine
  • 26” manual C&P guillotine
  • Vagelli standing percussion press
  • Four job backers
  • Two French laying presses
  • Many nipping presses (various sizes)
  • Finishing presses, sewing frames, and all the standard hand tools needed for basic binding (knives, awls, rulers, dividers, etc.)
     

 


Have other questions? Please email info@sfcb.org with any questions and we will be happy to answer them. We look forward to seeing you in the studio soon!