Make-Ready: A new frontier in printmaking

Make-Ready: A new frontier in printmaking

Make-Ready is Avant Arte's specialist printmaking studio, based in London. Together, we collaborate with some of the biggest artists in contemporary art to realise their vision and push the boundaries of what's possible in print.

"I’ve done many editions in the past, but have never seen any like these. What Make-Ready and Avant Arte have achieved is normally impossible in a print."

Lee Ufan

The largest fine art silkscreen studio in the world

In 2017, master printmaker Tom Murphy founded Make-Ready from his garage. Since those humble beginnings, it has grown to become the world's largest silkscreen print studio dedicated to fine art.

In the short film above, Tom tells us how shared ambition and a drive to simply "make amazing prints" took Make-Ready from that garage to the forefront of silkscreen innovation.

The art of printmaking

Printmaking is an art form in its own right and a process of creative interpretation of an artist's work. Tom has elevated this craft to an unparalleled level, combining technical mastery and precision with an unwavering commitment to experimentation.

By applying techniques and materials discovered in widespread corners of craft – from industrial innovations to woodcut and lithograph printmaking – Make-Ready has developed a unique visual language behind its gold standard editions.

Self Portrait with Yellow Lake and Magenta, Antony Micallef

Scorched Earth, Mark Bradford

Crafting editions with the world's biggest artists

The team at Make-Ready apply their expertise in close collaboration with some of the most influential names in contemporary art – including Ai Weiwei, Lee Ufan, Mickalene Thomas, George Condo, Elizabeth Peyton, Anish Kapoor and Grayson Perry.

For Tom, the ultimate goal is to "blow the minds" of both artists and collectors alike.

Portrait and Head, George Condo

Guardian, Ai Weiwei

November 1981, Mickalene Thomas

“After the ones I made with Warhol, the best silkscreen prints I’ve made were those I did with Avant Arte.”

George Condo

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