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Print House

Print House

A Print Studio and Workshop Rooted in Dumfries’ Printing Heritage

About

Wall display of printed posters arranged in a grid. Each poster repeats the same bold, capitalised text over a semi‑transparent, stylised portrait in varying colours, including green, red, and blue. The text reads: “THERE’S FREEDOM TO THEM THAT WAD READ / HERE’S FREEDOM TO THEM THAT WAD WRITE! / THERE’S NONE EVER FEAR’D THE TRUTH WOULD INDITE / BUT THEY WHOM.” The design uses contrasting colours and layered imagery to create a striking visual effect.

Print House is a Stove-led print studio and workshop, founded in 2025 and rooted in Dumfries’ proud printing heritage. Drawing inspiration from the town’s legacy as one of Scotland’s historic Print Towns, it’s a place to discover the joy, creativity, and impact of Risograph printing.

As part of The Stove’s mission to nurture a thriving, inclusive town centre, Print House is a new hub where drawing, writing, publishing, and grassroots journalism meet—amplifying creativity and community voices.

Honouring the past while looking forward, Print House empowers today’s communities—especially those less often heard—to reclaim print as a tool for storytelling, self-expression, and cultural creation.

A Space for Everyone

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or simply curious, Print House is the perfect fit for you. Through open sessions, workshops, and creative programmes, we welcome the whole town to get involved—learning, making, and reconnecting with creativity, together.

Two people working at a large table covered with art and craft materials, including colorful paper cutouts, black‑and‑white sketches, scissors, a coffee cup, and a cutting mat. Several small illustrations are arranged in a row, suggesting a creative design or illustration project in progress.
Nothing like a Table Full of Colour, Sketches, and Coffee to Get the Ideas Flowing.
Person seated at a table in a creative studio, cutting a piece of black paper. The table is scattered with art supplies, including white paper with black shapes, scissors, and cups. Behind them, a wall displays posters and abstract artwork, including one with large text reading “THE SHOW MUST GO ON.”
Korey Snipping Away at the Next Big Idea.
Two people standing beside a photocopier in a studio or office. The person on the left lifts the machine’s lid, while the person on the right holds a sheet of paper printed with large, bold black shapes. Wooden shelves and assorted items are visible in the background.
Korey and Martin Having Fun: When Your Design Finally Comes to Life on Paper.
Group of people gathered around a rectangular table in a bright room with large windows. Some are seated and working with paper and scissors, while one person stands nearby assisting or observing. The table holds various craft materials, and the scene conveys a collaborative workshop.
Hands and Minds Busy — Creating Things Together.
Several people seated at a table in a workshop or classroom, working on arts and crafts. The table is covered with black and white paper cutouts, scissors, markers, glue sticks, a roll of paper towels, and a coffee cup. One person cuts black paper while others assemble or draw on paper. Colourful paper designs and sketches are also visible, suggesting a collaborative collage or paper art project.
A Recipe for a Creativity: Glue Sticks, Scissors, Coffee and a Splash of Colour
Person wearing a striped pink and green long‑sleeve shirt under blue denim overalls, with shoulder‑length hair featuring pink highlights. They are accessorised with rings and a choker necklace and appear focused on an object in their hands. Another person in a grey sweatshirt and blue cap is partially visible to the left. The background includes posters on the wall and a window, suggesting an indoor workshop.
Dungarees, Stripes, and Pink Highlights — Bringing the Personality to the Workshop.
Hand‑drawn illustration pinned to a corkboard, showing two hands holding a sign with the words “WILL WORK FOR EXPOSURE” in bold blue letters. The drawing is in a sketch style with thin lines for the hands and sign, while the text is prominently coloured and stylised.
The Most Relatable Poster in the Art World.
Four people gathered around a computer in a creative studio. The person in the centre, wearing denim overalls and a striped shirt, smiles while looking at the screen. Next to them, a person in a cap and glasses is also smiling. Two others are partially visible, one facing away and one looking at the screen. The computer displays a colourful desktop background. Posters on the wall include the phrase “THE SHOW MUST GO ON” and various graphic designs, with shelves and a window in the background providing natural light.
Four Heads, One Screen, and a Smiles All Around.
Hand holding an open booklet with a yellow background and red and black printed text and graphics. The left page shows a black‑and‑white image of a field with tall plants and a building in the distance. The right page continues the image and has red text at the top reading, “WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS I THOUGHT ‘THERE IS NO HOPE FOR THIS’.” Pink‑handled scissors and another paper with pink graphics are visible in the background.
Off the Margin

Off The Margin began life as a two-day micro-festival that celebrated Dumfries’ rich printing heritage while reimagining the role of grassroots media. Produced by The Stove Network in collaboration with What We Do Now (WWDN), the event brought together historians, printmakers, journalists, and artists for panel talks, film screenings, and hands-on workshops. From exploring early print protest movements to experimenting with contemporary risograph techniques, the festival enabled vital conversations about how communities can reclaim their voice in an era of divided mass media and misinformation.

Highlights included the premiere of Imprints in Time by artist John Wallace, documenting the town’s enduring print culture, and a panel discussion featuring voices from investigative journalism, heritage curation, and sustainable printmaking. These conversations inspired an ambition to keep the dialogue and the creativity alive.

Those conversations evolved into Off The Margin: a bold new series of workshops and creative gatherings that amplify underrepresented voices in Dumfries. Rooted in community-led journalism and risograph printing, the project invites people to share their stories, collaborate, and reshape the narrative of our town. What began as a celebration of heritage has evolved into a space for activism, creativity, and connection, ensuring the spirit of the micro-festival continues to inspire and empower.

Off the Margin: The Future of Grassroots Media Discussion

As part of the Off The Margin micro‑festival, The Stove’s Artistic Director, Martin O’Neill, led an informative discussion with a panel of historians, journalists, printmakers, and artists. Following the screening of Imprints in Time by John Wallace, the conversation explored how communities could reclaim their voice in an era of divided mass media and public mistrust. Each panellist brought unique expertise, inspiring new ideas and a hopeful vision for the future of print and journalism in Dumfries and Galloway.

A 4×4 grid of posters pinned to a corkboard, featuring four distinct designs repeated in columns. The first design shows a colourful grid of squares with the word “WRITE” repeated in varying colours and orientations, with a QR code in the bottom left. The second has a blue and white abstract geometric pattern with the text “SONIC LABS” and smaller, partially legible descriptive text. The third features bold red text on a beige background reading “THE SHOW MUST GO ON” with the same phrase repeated in smaller text below. The fourth has a pink background with handwritten‑style text reading “SONIC YOUTH”
Queer Print Club: A Creative Space for LGBTQ+ Voices in Dumfries

Part of Off The Margin, Queer Print Club is rooted in community-led journalism and creative expression. It’s about reclaiming space, sharing stories, and championing underrepresented voices through print.

It is a hands-on workshop series for LGBTQ+ folks and allies to come together, collaborate, and make print-based art that celebrates identity, activism, and community. Whether you’re crafting bold posters of resistance, expressive zines, or grassroots publications, this is a space to amplify queer voices and reshape the narrative of Dumfries.

Each session explores creative techniques—from risograph printing to zine-making—offering a playful and welcoming environment for both newcomers and returning members. No experience or preparation is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

Visit Our Events Page For More Infomation ➔
Frequently Asked Questions about the Print House
What Is Risograph Printing?

Risograph is a sustainable, stencil-based printing method known for its bold colours, unique textures, and low environmental impact. It’s perfect for posters, zines, prints, and short-run publications.

How Do I Access the Print House to Make Prints?

We’re currently building capacity to make the space more accessible for artists and community groups. Stay tuned as we expand access and open up studio time for public use.

Can I Book a Session for My Community Group?

Absolutely. We’re happy to explore everything from introductory sessions to longer courses or one-off workshops in areas like zine-making, poster design, or community storytelling. Just get in touch!

When Is Print House Open?

As we build capacity, Print House operates flexibly, usually aligned with workshops, events, and bookings. We don’t currently have set open hours, but we’re working toward more regular access. Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media for updates.

Can I Just Drop In and Use the Equipment?

Not just yet. At the moment, Print House is only accessible through workshops, events, or pre-arranged bookings. We’re developing ways to support independent access in future.

Is Print House Wheelchair Accessible?

Yes, the space is fully wheelchair accessible. If you have additional access needs, please get in touch—we’re happy to work with you to find a way to participate.

Do I Need Experience to Take Part?

No experience needed. Our workshops and events are designed to be welcoming for beginners and rewarding for those with creative experience too.

Can I Print My Own Work or Use the Space for a Project?

We’re always open to ideas! While we can’t yet offer full open studio use, we’re happy to hear from individuals and groups about one-off or collaborative projects that might fit with our current programme and capacity.

Can You Print Something for Me?

We’re not a commercial print shop, but we occasionally take on small print runs for community groups or aligned creative projects. Get in touch to tell us more—we’ll let you know what’s possible.

Can You Run a Workshop with My School/Youth Group/Organisation?

We’d love to explore this with you. While our capacity is limited, we’re open to tailored collaborations where possible. The best first step is to contact us with your idea, timeline, and needs.

How Much Does It Cost to Take Part?

We aim to keep Print House activities either free or affordably priced. Many of our workshops are subsidised or offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. If cost is a barrier, let us know—we don’t want money to be a reason not to take part.