PigPrints is a printmaking studio and artist residency with facilities in Milan, Italy.
Founded by artist and printmaker Guido Pigni, PigPrints specializes in intaglio techniques, and focuses on creating and promoting works achieved through printmaking by emerging and established contemporary artists. The prints are made by the artists working independently or in close collaboration with the studio staff and are hand-printed on our etching presses.
In addition to collaborations with artists, PigPrints offers contract printing services.

PigPrints’ founder Guido Pigni is an artist with extensive experience in the field of printmaking.
He started PigPrints in 2010 as a means to share his passion for printmaking with fellow artists he knew or whose work he admired. Beginning with two small etchings by Franco Matticchio, more “PigPrints” editions were subsequently published.

In 2020 the studio moved in a new, beautiful luminous 160 sq. mt. (1700 sq. feet) fully equipped printshop, that provides resident artists with the following :

• it’s a collaborative print workshop where artists are encouraged work independently on their personal projects, profiting from the quality professional equipment as well as the tranquil atmosphere of the studio.
• somewhere for  artists to work alongside the studio staff and benefitting from help in creating printmaking projects, with the possibility of their prints and editions being exhibited in the in-house gallery space.
• A live/work studio space that provides resident artists a fully equipped printshop, along with a private studio/bedroom with kitchen and bathroom 24/7.
• A community where artists can forge relationships and have mutual learning experiences in the field of printmaking.

Mission Statement

PigPrints aims to help artists explore all facets of printmaking, while expanding their personal and aesthetic vocabularies. Experimentation with both traditional and new techniques is encouraged, along with the use of safe, good quality, non-toxic materials, papers and inks. Anyone willing to work in an open and friendly manner is welcome. By sharing and building together a welcoming, creative environment with a spirit of collaboration, PigPrints promotes a new culture of mutual support among artists. Through our in-house gallery we want to offer original artworks from both emerging and established artists at affordable prices. Likewise, fees to open-access work, workshops and residencies are kept reasonable. Special arrangements for those facing life or career emergencies will be taken into consideration.

 

Studio Services and Facilities

PigPrints is located in Milan’s Dergano neighborhood, a tranquil area easily reached by the metro (MM3 Dergano or Maciachini stations are five-minute walks from the studio, the Central Station is 3 stops along the same line).

Refurbished in 2020, the printmaking studio is set in an airy, luminous open space basement with four-meter-high ceilings. A separate 25 square-meter room serves as a “clean area” for drawing or for just taking a reading-break of the numerous art books from our bookshelves. It also serves as a private studio for resident artists. A fully equipped kitchen with all facilities is also on-hand.

We have two intaglio presses, one 140×70 cm and a smaller 50×80 cm, a vented acid room for etching zinc with copper sulphate and copper with ferric chloride. All tools and materials you might need for drawing and printing are at hand.

We sell basic supplies at the workshop (various types of quality paper, copper and zinc plates etc.) at retail cost.

The upstairs Gallery, our in-house gallery, is a small room entirely dedicated to exhibit the artists’ work.

Pigprints studio is designed and intended to provide a pleasant experience for those who come to stay here. To ensure this, we limit to no more than 3 artists at a time that share the workshop.

Open Access 

Printmakers of every skill level now have an affordable place to work in Milan. PigPrints’ open-access program is designed for anyone with prior etching experience who can work independently. Technical support is not available during open-access sessions, but the printshop staff is always on hand for advice and assistance of any kind. For those who aren’t yet technically skilled or need a refreshment, we recommend one of our basic courses (when available) or a one-on-one training session (€ 30 /hour).

Pricing 2025

Artists can book the studio for one day, one week or one month according to their wishes and needs.

Full day (8 hours 10 am -6 pm) – € 50
Printing must stop ½ hour before the studio closes in order to clean up.

Week (Mon-Fri) – € 200

5 days (40 hours) Studio Pass- € 220 
10 days (80 hours) Studio Pass– € 380

These “carnets”, which are tailored-made for those who want to come to the studio from time to time, have to be bought in advance. Artists can book for a full day (10 am-6 pm) as well as for half day (9 am – 1 pm or 2-6 pm).

Can be used within 6 months from purchase date.

Fees do not include black inks, paper and plates (can be purchased from the workshop).

20% discount for students.

Week-end as well as evening (6-10 pm) working sessions can be arranged on request.

For more information or visit our FAQs page

 

Enquire