MFA in Print Media

For those that pursue a printmaking masters degree, consider various careers such as: 

• Artist. Create and sell original prints in galleries, exhibitions, and art fairs.
• Art Educator. Teach printmaking techniques at schools, colleges, or community centers.
• Printmaker. Work in studios or as a freelance printmaker, producing prints for clients or collaborations.
• Art Conservator. Preserve and restore prints and artworks in museums or conservation studios.
• Graphic Designer. Apply printmaking skills in graphic design, combining traditional techniques with digital media.
• Art Therapist. Use printmaking as a therapeutic tool in clinical or community settings.
• Museum or Gallery Professional. Curate, manage, or conserve print collections in art institutions.

Our MFA printmaking program equips you with creative, technical, and conceptual skills applicable to various fields. 

Printmaking is an artistic process in which ink is transferred from a matrix to another surface – most often paper. It encompasses various techniques such as relief printing, intaglio, screen printing, risograph, and lithography. Printmaking is a medium that allows for experimentation and personal expression. In many forms of printmaking, a matrix can be used repeatedly to make several copies of a print.

Relief printing is a printmaking technique in which an image is created by carving or cutting away parts of a surface, leaving the raised areas to be inked and transferred onto paper or another material. Relief printing includes techniques such as woodcut, linocut, and letterpress, each offering unique textures and stylistic possibilities.

Lithography printmaking is a technique based on the principle that oil and water repel each other. It involves applying a chemical solution to a slab or plate followed by oil-based ink and then transferring the image onto paper. Lithography allows for fine detail and tonal variation, making it popular for producing high-quality prints, illustrations, and artworks.

A risograph is a digital duplicator used for high-volume printing, blending characteristics of screen printing and offset printing. Risographs are known for their cost-effectiveness and distinctive aesthetic, including bright, translucent colors and unique textures. They are commonly used for art prints, zines, and limited-run publications.

Within our art and design school, students can explore a variety of academic options. Consider additional options that include:

• MA/MFA Dual Degree - Combine your Master of Fine Arts degree with a Master of Arts degree. Enhance your graduate study through our critical studies program to develop skills in critical writing and public engagement.
• Graduate Symposium - Connect with other artists and the larger community. Join our annual graduate symposium to expand your mind and make professional connections.
• SGCI - PNCA sends a delegation to SGC International, the largest printmaking conference in the United States.
• Community Collaboration - We've collaborated with Latino Art Now, Don’t Shoot PDX, Portland Art Museum, and PNCA's Students of Color Coalition. We've hosted events and supported the front lines of social justice.

Our Printmaking Lab facilities include:

• Studios
• Presses
• Letterpress studio
• Book-making equipment
• Screenprinting studio
• Aquatint box
• Litho stones
• Exposure room
• Exposure units
• Copper-plate
• Risograph
• Storage
• Printmaking store
• State-of-the-art ventilation
• Print archive
• Papermaking supplies

Students can also take advantage of the Creative Technology Lab, Digital Print Studio, and Documentation Studio. View a full list of PNCA labs, workshops, and facilities to expand your craft.