Printmaking Technician

Position description

Reporting to the Department Head, the incumbent is responsible for regular maintenance and repair of equipment, supply and supervision of all the printmaking studios. This includes organizing and assisting with classroom demonstrations, supervising students in numerous printmaking processes, providing aesthetic and technical guidance to students, and problem solving the technical and graphic concerns that students encounter, mixing chemicals, researching print processes and safety procedures, and monitoring all tool and lithography stone/ silkscreen allocations to students.

The monitoring and updating of all safety standards within the studios is an important element of this position. In consultation with the Printmaking faculty, this position will maintain and balance the printmaking budget while also being responsible for the purchase of print supplies and additional departmental materials, for assisting in the organization of field trips, annual print competition and print exhibitions. The incumbent may serve on committees, such as the Fine Arts and Sciences Joint Health and Safety Committee, and is an active participant in all departmental meetings and discussions.

Responsibilities

• Instruct students in the printmaking process by teaching how to operate tools and equipment
• Mixing of solvents and acids, making of bulk solutions, filling bulk safety cans and the handling of other related chemicals.
• Prepare for and conduct class demonstrations by preparing plates, graining stones, researching print processes and understanding printmaking methodology, creating instruction handouts or resources, new equipment, and provide aesthetic and technical guidance to students.
• Research new equipment, materials and print techniques to improve print studio safety, accessibility, and ease of use, and to otherwise contribute to the studio’s educational offerings
• Maintain a safe environment for the operation of all printmaking equipment, materials, tools and practices by ensuring supervision and cleanliness of all printmaking spaces. Promote health and safety best practices to all studio users.
• Maintain and operate Epson inkjet printer for the output of transparency films. Coordinate use of Digital Lab printers and software with Photography Department.
• Supervise students in printshop habits, health and safety practices, First Aid and safety equipment. Supervise and train student printmaking technicians.

Current print process
We currently work in a variety of print process including intaglio etching on zinc and copper plates, linoleum, styrofoam and wood relief methods, aluminum and limestone lithography processes, letterpress and silkscreen. We also teach a variety of alternative print processes including monotype, collotype, cyanotype, and other photographic and digital approaches of creating prints.

• Maintain and repair equipment and tools, monitor tool and lithography stone/silkscreen allocations by recording the loaning of shop materials to students and their condition when returned.
• Keep track of all the cases of letterpress type, and letterpress regletts and furniture.
• Organize all map cabinets on mezzanine in print for student use.
• Maintain all print hand tools for etching and woodcut tools, electric hand tools.

Shop equipment
The shop includes 2 small etching presses, 2 large etching presses, 1 large American French Tool press,1 Nolan proof press, 1, Vandercook letterpress, 1 Brand Lithography press, 1 Takach Lithography press, 1 Albion press, 1 large Seri-glide Silkscreen press, 1 light table printing station, 1 screen washing sink, 1 Nu Arc Vacuum frame light source in the Graphic Arts darkroom, 1 Epson SureColor P900 inkjet printer. Other large equipment required to be maintained include Chamandy plate beveling tool, 3 drying racks, hotplate, 1 large paper guillotine, 2 small guillotines. Maintaining approximately 40 silkscreens, 40 lithography stones, 5 leather nap rollers, 15 squeegees.

• Responsible for overseeing printmaking budget, maintaining inventory and writing purchase orders for supplies, and preparing capital expense requests
• Monitor the maintenance and up-keep of the studio, including design of studio workspace for better use of space, and overseeing print studio student clean-ups.
• Monitor hazardous waste produced by the printmaking process and ensure disposal according to rules and regulations.
• In rotation with other Fine Arts technicians, incumbent may be assigned to represent the Fine Arts Department as a Safety Officer and signing officer for the Fine Arts and Sciences Joint Health and Safety Committee budget serve as Facilities Management contact on building concerns or point person for contractors and facilities - safety audits when other staff are not available liaise with admissions to give departmental tours and advice to incoming prospective students and their parents, or to organize tours and workshops to school classes or groups of teachers monitor departmental freight on the loading dock.

• Perform other related duties.

Qualifications/skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or equivalent
• Experience and a working knowledge of various formats and functions of printmaking materials and practices
• Familiarity with Health and Safety practices in printmaking
• Willingness to upgrade skills and knowledge
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well independently and with others
• Knowledge of contemporary art practice will be considered an asset
• Individual art practice will be considered an asset

Only those already eligible to work in Canada need apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application materials will be collected for recruitment purposes only and handled in accordance with the University’s privacy and records-management practices. If you experience any difficulty accessing the link, please contact for assistance. Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2026.

Submit Résumé and Cover Letter

Mount Allison is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage applications from members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual and gender identities. We seek candidates with qualifications and knowledge to contribute specifically to the further diversification of our campus community.

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