Introduction

CFPR Introduction

The main focus of research at the Centre for Fine Print Research stems from the close relationships that exist between technology, ideas and making in the arts and crafts - particularly in the area of digitally assisted print and its many offshoots. Although the research is primarily initiated from a fine art perspective, it is clearly acknowledged that print is inexorably linked to industrial development. As a consequence much of our research has crossover applications for industry.

The Centre is committed to the dissemination of its research. Our research activities span the various disciplines within the field of art and design, through education, training, professional practice, collaborative projects, conferences, exhibitions, industrial collaboration and publication. Some of its recent and current projects include the development of artist led ‘methodologies for wide format digital printing, ‘The generation of ceramic artefacts through 3D rapid prototype output and the application of laser cutting technology for the creative design of artists’ books and paper-based constructions.

As well as looking forward, our research also looks back to reappraise forgotten processes, techniques and standards that may add to, and enrich modern technological development. This strand of research has resulted in a number of fusions of old and new that have includes practical and theoretical studies of high quality 19th Century printing processes such as Woodburytype, Collotype, Photo ceramic relief casting and photogravure. We also undertake research into artist quality digital output, with a particular emphasis on wide format printing.

The CFPR also explores many aspects of artists’ publishing: from the conception and history of the artist’s book to creative processes and output, current developments and critical assessments of the subject. All of CFPR’s book arts projects, news, events, lectures, conferences, essays, reference publications, papers, symposia, research resources and exhibitions are archived online at the CFPR bookarts website The group CREATE - Colour Research for European Advanced Technology Employment - have come together to promote and exchange research and knowledge through a series of conferences and training courses. The courses and conferences began in September 2007 and will run until 2011.

During the 12 years of our existence we have gained a reputation as a centre of excellence with both the international print community and industry. Since our formal establishment in 1998, we have expanded into a large research group with a staff of 12 researchers, plus doctoral research students. Both individually and collectively this offers us a wide range of practical and theoretical expertise within our field of research.

Some of our funding sources include, The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), EU Marie Curie Action, Department of Trades and Industry Knowledge Transfer Partnership as well as Hewlett Packard's Art and Science Philanthropy Fund.

Professor Stephen Hoskins
Director: Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR)

“Here’s the history of two decades in one sentence: if the past 10 years have been about discovering post-institutional social models on the Web, then the next 10 years will be about applying them to the real world.” - Chris Anderson, editor in chief, WIRED Magazine, Feb 2010 edition