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Founded in 1991 and incorporated as a company in January 1993, Cork Printmakers Ltd. was established to meet the needs of Cork-based artist printmakers with no access to workshop facilities. At this time the only print studios in the republic were located in Dublin.

In 1994, Cork Printmakers Ltd. secured a workshop premises in Thompson House on MacCurtain Street. The 2,000sq ft space was fitted out by members with a darkroom, acid room, and office, and was equipped to a professional standard facilitating screen printing, etching, relief and lithography. Membership grew significantly over the following months, putting an increased demand on the facility and highlighting its inadequacies, such as poor ventilation, no natural light and cramped working conditions. A decision was made to find a more suitable workshop premises. Following many years of funding applications and negotiations with the Arts Council, Cork City Council and the then Department of Arts, Culture and Heritage, with the support of local Councillors and TDs, funding was awarded to renovate and refurbish 19th century warehouses located at Wandesford Quay, between Sharman Crawford St and Clarke’s Bridge.

In 1999, the new purpose built printmaking facility was complete and Cork Printmakers Ltd. moved into its new home. Now supporting over ninety artist members based in Ireland, the UK and America, our remit has expanded to connecting and exchanging with artists from all over the world, contributing to and interacting with different arts environments both locally and globally.