We've found the perfect space. Now, we need your help to raise £15K for the purchase of new printing equipment to fit into the new space.
As a thank you for your pledges we've got lots of rewards on offer. You can see what they look like at the bottom of this page!
Read on for our story...
A small team of five (Jude, Tom, Nigel, Erin and Shaun) working hard to support and nurture our creative community of 65 members, from all ages and from all walks of life.
We are Cardiff's only independent, community-based, not-for-profit screenprinting workshop.
Providing bespoke printing services, courses, membership, events, learning opportunities, social inclusion, supporting people to develop creative and professional skills, gain confidence and helping people into education and employment.
We're proud of what we've built and are grateful for the support from the local community.
This is the first time in ten years we're asking for help to continue on our creative journey.
It was 2008. People thought we were crazy starting out on such a huge project in the midst of the Great Recession and choosing to do it independently. We believed it was possible from the start and had a strong vision. Likewise, we had the necessary skills and experience to actualise our ambitious plans.
The original site (70a Llandaff Road, Canton, Cardiff, CF11 9NL) is an old laundry building dating back to the 1800's. It was completely derelict and in disrepair at the beginning, resembling more of a junkyard than a lettable space.
On the flip side, it was in a great location; virtual neighbours to Cardiff citys' most established arts centre (Chapter Arts Centre) and the sheer size of the building accommodated our plans.
Our vision saw the production of a print workshop, artist studios and events space.
It took just over eight months of working evenings and weekends to prepare the space - motivated and driven along by family, friends and the local community.
It developed slowly and over time, with so many people contributing, not only in their time and efforts - but also contributing to the essence and environment of what Printhaus is today. Full of life and likened as a second-home to so many.
"Over time we realised that we're not only providing a workspace, but also a home. A community for like-minded people to come together, to support each other and grow as individuals and as a collective." Tom (Co-founder)
Over the past 10 years, we've had the good fortune of growing alongside and contributing to the creative culture of Cardiff city.
Whilst our independent status has shielded us from a lot of things (eg. budget cuts) it cannot protect us from the rapid building developments happening across the city. Sadly, we are not alone in losing out to the developers. The entire site spanning Llandaff Road to Romilly Crescent has been sold to a high-end residential property developer.
On the morning of Tuesday 7th May, our landlord personally delivered the documents terminating The Printhaus' lease as of the 1st September, 2019.
It is so sad to see such a characteristic building scheduled for demolition and at the expense of the community. For eight months previous, we searched high and low across the city for other suitable spaces.
On the 23rd May we were invited to a meeting with the CEO and Deputy Director of Chapter Arts Centre to discuss the possibility of The Printhaus joining them. We were very excited about the prospect of bringing together two of Cardiff city's most prominent art establishments. Their invitation is a strong endorsement of our shared vision of keeping the creative community in Canton alive. This is so important, not only for our existing members, but also for the wider community.
After much deliberation between us we have successfully mapped out a working floor plan and arranged for the necessary conversions to accommodate the print workshop. We are planned to occupy 'The Pottery' and 'The Green Room' inside the main building of Chapter Arts Centre. Though these spaces are slightly smaller in size, the opportunities for growth as a resident of Chapter far outweigh any reservations about space and we firmly believe this is the best possible outcome.
To make this a reality, our larger hand print benches will go into storage for the meantime. We have identified the new kit and equipment appropriate for the new space. Including; two new hand print benches, new stencil-preparation unit and new computer suite.
Being invited by Chapter Arts Centre is a great honour, but in spite of all our good intentions and planning, from both organisations, we can't move and continue to do what we do unless we have the new equipment.
For the last leg of this race to save The Printhaus, we really need your help to raise the essential capital to secure the kit, the future of our members and the wider community.
*Keep on reading and scroll down further to have a look at some of the rewards on offer*
TOP TIP - Like what you see? Click on the picture to go straight through to the pledge page and get your reward!