Student works on print project

Undergraduate Overview

Undergraduate Overview

Fall 2026 Application Deadline: March 1

Undergraduate students who concentrate their studies within Printmedia engage a dynamic learning environment where traditional and contemporary practices are informed by the ever-expanding definition of image making.

Printmedia at SAIC may take the form of conventional approaches such as, intaglio, lithography, silkscreen, book arts and relief, as well as digital printing and fabrication. Alternative and experimental means of production are also explored. Students generate work to be shared, exhibited, performed or situated in site-specific contexts.

Course topics include:

  • Printmedia Practices
  • Artists’ Books, Offset Productions
  • Reproduction and Representation
  • Adventures in Self-Publishing
  • Image Retainer: Print in the Expanded Field
  • Advanced Undergraduate Studio

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements & Curriculum Overview

  • To apply to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), you will need to fill out an application and submit your transcripts, artist's statement, and letters of recommendation. And most importantly, we require a portfolio of your best and most recent work—work that will give us a sense of you, your interests, and your willingness to explore, experiment, and think beyond technical art, design, and writing skills.

    In order to apply, please submit the following items:  

    Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Portfolio

    Submit 10–15 pieces of your best and most recent work. We will review your portfolio and application materials for merit scholarship once you have been admitted to SAIC.

    When compiling a portfolio, you may concentrate your work in a single discipline or show work in a breadth of media. The portfolio may include drawings, prints, photographs, paintings, film, video, audio recordings, sculpture, ceramics, fashion designs, graphic design, furniture, objects, architectural designs, websites, video games, sketchbooks, scripts, storyboards, screenplays, zines, or any combination of the above.

    Learn more about applying to SAIC's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio, or view our portfolio preparation guide for more information.

  • Studio69
    • CP 1010 Core Studio Practice I (3)
    • CP 1011 Core Studio Practice II (3)
    • CP 1020 Research Studio I (3)
    • CP 1022 Research Studio II (3)
    • SOPHSEM 2900 (3)
    • PROFPRAC 39XX (3)
    • CAPSTONE 49XX (3)
    • Studio Electives (48)
     
    Art History15
    • ARTHI 1001 World Cultures/Civilizations: Pre-History—19th Century Art and Architecture (3)
    • Additional Art History Course at 1000-level (e.g., ARTHI 1002) (3)
    • Art History Electives at 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level (9)
     
    Liberal Arts30
    • ENGLISH 1001 First Year Seminar I (3)
    • ENGLISH 1005 First Year Seminar II (3)
    • Natural Science (6)
    • Social Science (6)
    • Humanities (6)
    • Liberal Arts Electives (6)
      • Any of the above Liberal Arts or certain AAP or EIS
     
    General Electives6
    • Studio, Art History, Liberal Arts, AAP, or EIS
     
    Total Credit Hours120

    * BFA students must complete at least two classes designated as "off campus study." These classes can also fulfill any of the requirements listed above and be from any of the divisions (Art History, Studio, Liberal Arts, or General Electives).

    BFA in Studio with Thesis Option (Liberal Arts or Visual Critical Studies): Students interested in pursuing the BFA in Studio with the Thesis Option (Liberal Arts or Visual Critical Studies) should contact their academic advisor for details about eligibility, program requirements, and the application process.

    Total credits required for minimum residency66
    Minimum Studio credit42

Course Listing

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

How is print fundamental to artistic practice? Students will have two seven-week sections learning fundamentals, exploring ways in which artists utilize processes to facilitate print media based projects. Projects will encourage students to critically examine how print services concept and context both historically and within the contemporary. Each thematic section is anchored in a specific print process aimed to establish skill acquisition and experimentation. Sections in Room 221 and 222 will concentrate on experimental and innovative processes in Screenprinting and Lithography; the section meeting in Room 223 will explore contemporary practices using Relief, etching, monotypes, stencils, and collagraphs.

Faculty will conduct process demonstrations, introduce students to a history of practitioners in the graphic arts, and provide supporting readings. Print processes covered may include screen printing, relief, monotypes, photo plate lithography, book arts. Topics will vary but may include the multiple, seriality, editions, public address, progression of collage, and self-publishing. Learning will be aided with visits to the AIC Department of Prints and Drawings and the Joan Flasch Artists Books Collection

Class Number

1725

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 222

Description

How is print fundamental to artistic practice? Students will have two seven-week sections learning fundamentals, exploring ways in which artists utilize processes to facilitate print media based projects. Projects will encourage students to critically examine how print services concept and context both historically and within the contemporary. Each thematic section is anchored in a specific print process aimed to establish skill acquisition and experimentation. Sections in Room 221 and 222 will concentrate on experimental and innovative processes in Screenprinting and Lithography; the section meeting in Room 223 will explore contemporary practices using Relief, etching, monotypes, stencils, and collagraphs.

Faculty will conduct process demonstrations, introduce students to a history of practitioners in the graphic arts, and provide supporting readings. Print processes covered may include screen printing, relief, monotypes, photo plate lithography, book arts. Topics will vary but may include the multiple, seriality, editions, public address, progression of collage, and self-publishing. Learning will be aided with visits to the AIC Department of Prints and Drawings and the Joan Flasch Artists Books Collection

Class Number

1730

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 223

Description

How is print fundamental to artistic practice? Students will have two seven-week sections learning fundamentals, exploring ways in which artists utilize processes to facilitate print media based projects. Projects will encourage students to critically examine how print services concept and context both historically and within the contemporary. Each thematic section is anchored in a specific print process aimed to establish skill acquisition and experimentation. Sections in Room 221 and 222 will concentrate on experimental and innovative processes in Screenprinting and Lithography; the section meeting in Room 223 will explore contemporary practices using Relief, etching, monotypes, stencils, and collagraphs.

Faculty will conduct process demonstrations, introduce students to a history of practitioners in the graphic arts, and provide supporting readings. Print processes covered may include screen printing, relief, monotypes, photo plate lithography, book arts. Topics will vary but may include the multiple, seriality, editions, public address, progression of collage, and self-publishing. Learning will be aided with visits to the AIC Department of Prints and Drawings and the Joan Flasch Artists Books Collection

Class Number

1733

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 221

Description

Students are introduced to basic intaglio methods such as drypoint, soft ground, line etch and aqua tint. Use of specific tools and papers is an essential part of the course. Through examples, discussion and demonstrations students will learn to identify and select methods that suit their expressive needs and concepts.

Class Number

1746

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 223

Description

In this course students are introduced to stone lithography. Through this planographic printing process it is possible to translate hand-drawn and hand-painted images into multiples and/or multi-color pieces. Emphasis is placed on gaining a thorough understanding of the techniques and principles of lithography through class demonstrations, instruction, individual projects, discussion and critiques.

Class Number

1726

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 221

Description

In this course students are introduced to stone lithography. Through this planographic printing process it is possible to translate hand-drawn and hand-painted images into multiples and/or multi-color pieces. Emphasis is placed on gaining a thorough understanding of the techniques and principles of lithography through class demonstrations, instruction, individual projects, discussion and critiques.

Class Number

1741

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 221

Description

Students learn traditional and experimental approaches to relief printmaking. Techniques covered are woodcut, linocut, wood engraving, relief etching, monoprints, and other press and hand-printing relief processes.

Class Number

1738

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 221

Description

Students learn traditional and experimental approaches to relief printmaking. Techniques covered are woodcut, linocut, wood engraving, relief etching, monoprints, and other press and hand-printing relief processes.

Class Number

2232

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 203

Description

In this course, students acquire technical proficiency in the various stencil printing methods. Individual exploration and development in the medium is encouraged and supported by individual instruction and group critiques.

Class Number

1727

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 222

Description

In this studio course, students will explore relief printmaking techniques using woodblocks, linoleum, found-objects, foam, monoprints and digital processes. Students will learn how to properly carve, ink, and print blocks in order to create editions as well as experiment with non-traditional formats. Students will be exposed to the rich history of relief printmaking through traditional and contemporary examples, specifically works from AIC and SAIC collections. Returning students will expand upon previous projects and develop new approaches to exploring content and understanding relief techniques.

Students will be exposed to a wide variety of artists from the long and rich history of relief printmaking. We will examine artists who work traditionally within the medium, as well as artists who depend upon contemporary technology to create prints. Some of the artists we will explore in this course include Durer, Hokusai, Masereel, Mendez, Zarina and Baumgartner.

Over the course of the semester, students will create 10-20 prints that show an understanding of the various relief techniques demonstrated by the instructor. Students will also participate in a print exchange folio at the end of the course. Projects will be critiqued throughout the semester.

Class Number

1734

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 223

Description

Artists' Books is a beginning/intermediate level course that focuses on the fundamental techniques of bookbinding so as to be able to design and produce one or an edition of artists' books and boxes. The class begins by learning a range of traditional binding techniques, discussing material choices, and learning about the history of artists' books. Later on breaking out of the box to take risks, explore concepts and unconventional materials will be strongly encouraged for individual projects. In addition, the intention of this class is to meld your own studio work and personal expression with the form of artists' books.

Class Number

1729

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 113

Description

Artists' Books is a beginning/intermediate level course that focuses on the fundamental techniques of bookbinding so as to be able to design and produce one or an edition of artists' books and boxes. The class begins by learning a range of traditional binding techniques, discussing material choices, and learning about the history of artists' books. Later on breaking out of the box to take risks, explore concepts and unconventional materials will be strongly encouraged for individual projects. In addition, the intention of this class is to meld your own studio work and personal expression with the form of artists' books.

Class Number

1737

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 113

Description

Artists' Books is a beginning/intermediate level course that focuses on the fundamental techniques of bookbinding so as to be able to design and produce one or an edition of artists' books and boxes. The class begins by learning a range of traditional binding techniques, discussing material choices, and learning about the history of artists' books. Later on breaking out of the box to take risks, explore concepts and unconventional materials will be strongly encouraged for individual projects. In addition, the intention of this class is to meld your own studio work and personal expression with the form of artists' books.

Class Number

1742

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 113

Description

This class introduces students to the concepts and production of distributable artists' projects. Working closely with faculty, students develop projects to be printed on the Heidelberg offset press and Risograph machines. Multiples such as prints, books, zines, posters, stickers, cards, and packaging are examples of potential projects that utilize these high-volume printing processes. Image creation methods include digital, photo, collage, and hand-drawing. Adobe Creative Suite and a variety of binding and packaging techniques will be demonstrated. Through hands-on examples, readings, and visits to special collections, such as the Joan Flasch Artist Book Collection, a wide range of printed work and distributable projects will be shared and discussed. Over the semester, students can expect to complete a number of multi-color offset and risograph projects and participate in two critiques.

Class Number

1728

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 220

Description

This class introduces students to the concepts and production of distributable artists' projects. Working closely with faculty, students develop projects to be printed on the Heidelberg offset press and Risograph machines. Multiples such as prints, books, zines, posters, stickers, cards, and packaging are examples of potential projects that utilize these high-volume printing processes. Image creation methods include digital, photo, collage, and hand-drawing. Adobe Creative Suite and a variety of binding and packaging techniques will be demonstrated. Through hands-on examples, readings, and visits to special collections, such as the Joan Flasch Artist Book Collection, a wide range of printed work and distributable projects will be shared and discussed. Over the semester, students can expect to complete a number of multi-color offset and risograph projects and participate in two critiques.

Class Number

1731

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 220

Description

This presentation of intaglio techniques emphasizes a variety of multi-plate color printing processes. The course concentrates on individual development through the intaglio process.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: PRINT 2002 or PRINT 2006.

Class Number

2275

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 223

Description

Advanced exploration is encouraged in the screenprinting medium. Emphasis is placed on individual experimentation, development and the refinement of technical skills. Processes offered include large format printing, 4-color separation, and other advanced traditional photographic and digital techniques.

Prerequisites

PRINT 2005 or 2008 Pre-req

Class Number

1743

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 222

Description

Many printmakers make sculptures. Many sculptors make prints. This course focuses on the connections between relief printmaking and welded metal sculpture. When an artist is interpreting the same idea between two and three dimensions, the forms take on new lives and previously unseen relationships are formed. This class will meet in the Printmedia shop with metal fabrication instruction and assignments occurring in the metal shop.

Students will learn metal fabrication and welding processes including oxyacetylene welding, MIG welding, and shaping sheet metal using a torch. In the print shop, students will learn a variety of relief printing processes with a focus on layering. Students will utilize hand carving, CNC routed matrixes, and painterly marks. By zooming in and out on small formal moments, ideas will be translated and remixed across dimensions. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of artist working between sculpture and printmaking/drawing including Martin Puryear, Kiki Smith, Richard Hunt, Judy Pfaff, Willard Boepple, Richard Rezac, Ruth Asawa, Leonardo Drew, Alyson Shotz, Fred Wilson, Joan Jonas, David Nash, Wangechi Mutu, Jannis Kounellis, Frank Stella, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Jenny Holzer, Huma Bhabha, Ann Hamilton, Rachel Whiteread, Do Ho Suh, Christopher Wool, and Ursula Von Rydingsvard.

Students will complete a series of small to midsize sculptures in tandem with a series of relief prints. The class will culminate in a mock exhibition where student's sculptures and prints will interact as the viewer's body moves through the space.

Class Number

1744

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Exhibition and Curatorial Studies, Product Design, Art and Science

Location

280 Building Rm 203

Description

Advanced Artists' Books is an intermediate to advanced course for students with prior experience in bookmaking who are ready to deepen their technical skills and conceptual approaches. The class emphasizes integrating visual and written materials across sequential pages while exploring advanced binding techniques and experimental structures. Students will be challenged to pursue complex, personalized projects that require critical thinking, risk-taking, and creative use of materials. Alongside technical development, the course highlights analysis of contemporary practices in book arts and encourages students to expand their understanding of how book forms function as both artistic objects and modes of communication. Midway through the semester, students will participate in a group exhibition at the Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection (JFABC), providing a professional platform for showcasing their work.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: PRINT 2018 or PRINT 3007.

Class Number

1739

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 113

Description

This course will look at the inseparable link between comic stories and how they are reproduced. In the first half of the semester, we will gain familiarity with screenprint and risograph printing techniques, look at historical and contemporary examples of how artists employ print technology to tell stories and do in-class exercises. In the second half, students will produce their own printed comics and discuss them in group critiques.

Class Number

1735

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Comics and Graphic Novels

Location

280 Building Rm 220

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