Any skill level
Whether you are pulling your first proof or your five-hundredth, the press is designed to be approachable from day one.
The proofing press for your desk
Pica Press is a 3D-printed proofing press for artists and printmakers, built for ease of use at any skill level. It was designed as part of the Printmakers Matrix project, with open access and hands-on learning at its core.
You do not need your own 3D printer to get started. Our growing reseller network connects you with printers around the world who can print and sell the press directly to you, ready for assembly.
We are committed to putting tools in classrooms, studios, and educational programs, helping the next generation of printmaking artists grow.
About
Made for every printmaker
The Pica Press is built for ease of use by printmakers at any skill level. It was designed as part of the Printmakers Matrix project, with open access and hands-on learning at its core.
Assembly is intentionally simple. The printed parts snap together with a clean, satisfying fit, so you can go from printed pieces to a working press without specialized tools or a complicated build process.
Printmakers Matrix
Pica Press is part of the Printmakers Matrix project, built to expand what printmakers can make, learn, and share.
Snap-fit assembly
Parts click together in a straightforward, interlocking build. No fussy hardware, no guesswork, just a press you can assemble with confidence.
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
Reseller program
What if I don't have a 3D printer?
You do not need your own 3D printer to get a Pica Press. We run a reseller program that connects you with individual printers around the world who can print and sell the press directly to you.
Each reseller uses our model files and production guidelines to print every part to spec. They handle the printing, so you receive components ready for snap-fit assembly without buying a machine or tuning settings yourself.
Our reseller network is growing. Whether you want to buy a press locally or you are a printer interested in joining the program, get in touch and we will point you in the right direction.
Global resellers
Independent 3D printers around the world, each able to print and sell the press in their region.
Print and sell
Resellers use our model files and guidelines to produce each press to spec, ready for assembly.
Buy locally
Get a Pica Press from a reseller near you instead of buying and operating your own printer.
Find a reseller near you
Search by city, location, or the area a reseller services.
Searching resellers...
Photo by Katya Ross on Unsplash
Education
Our educational commitment
Our mission is to help as many people as possible grow as printmaking artists and to support the future of the art form we all love. That commitment goes beyond building a press. It means putting tools into classrooms, studios, and educational programs where the next generation can learn.
For every reseller who joins our team and helps us bring the Pica Press to more printmakers, we commit to donating an additional press to schools and educational programs. Each quarter, we tally the number of resellers in our network and donate an equal number of Pica Presses to the same cause. Support our mission on Patreon.
For every five Patreon supporters who are not resellers, we donate one press to schools and educational programs, tying community membership directly to our school donation program.
Patreon supporters
For every five Patreon members who support us outside the reseller tier, we donate one press to schools and educational programs.
1:5
One donated press per five Patreon supporters
Reseller giving
Each quarter, we count our active resellers and donate that same number of Pica Presses to schools and educational programs.
1:1
One press per reseller, every quarter
For example
10 resellers = 10 presses donated each quarter
If ten resellers are part of our network in a given quarter, we donate ten Pica Presses to schools and educational programs that quarter.
10
Resellers
10
Presses donated
Growing the craft
Every donated press puts tools in the hands of the next generation of printmaking artists.
Downloads
How to download the files
Everything you need to build a Pica Press is available as digital model files. Download the package, print the parts, and assemble your press at your own pace.
Free downloads
Core Pica Press model files, available at no cost for personal use.
3MF file
Easiest assemblyThe complete project in a single file, with all pegs pre-cut and ready for straightforward printing and assembly.
STL files
More flexibilityIndividual part files without pre-cut pegs. You may need to split parts to fit your 3D printer bed before slicing.
Alternate builds
Optional configurations for advanced printers who want more flexibility.
Fully Modular Pica Press
Alternate buildA modular version of the Pica Press, available as 3MF only, that lets you build as wide or as long a press as you like. Supports are required, and this is a much more difficult print job than the standard model, but it offers far more flexibility to customize the size of your press.
Endless Print Bed Pica Press
Extendable lengthA simpler alternative to the fully modular Pica Press, available as 3MF only. It uses a modular print bed so you can print as many middle pieces as you need to keep adding length. Supports are required on the middle bed piece. Medium print difficulty.
Endless Lino Adapter
AccessoryAn adapter with a 0.5 inch grid for registration. Works with the standard and endless print bed Pica Press models, and can be extended by printing the middle piece multiple times.
Supporter benefits
Exclusive files for Patreon members, a thank-you for helping sustain open access and our school donation program.
Pica Press Furniture Pack
SupporterA collection of printable accessories and add-ons for your Pica Press setup. Available exclusively to Printmakers Matrix Patreon supporters.
Pica Press Papermaking Mould and Deckle
SupporterPrintable mould and deckle files for making your own paper as part of your printmaking practice. Available exclusively to Printmakers Matrix Patreon supporters.
If you are downloading the files at no cost, they are for personal use only. To print and sell the Pica Press to others, please join our reseller program.
Learn about the reseller programHow it works
- 1
Choose your format
Pick the 3MF file for a ready-to-print project, or STL files if you prefer to slice and split parts yourself.
- 2
Review the guidelines
Read our print settings, material recommendations, and orientation notes before you print.
- 3
Print your parts
Use your own printer, or find a reseller in our network if you do not have one at home.
- 4
Assemble your press
Follow the snap-fit assembly guide to put your printed parts together on your desk.
Community
Join our communities
Connect with other printmakers, ask questions, share your work, and stay close to the project. We have two places to plug in depending on what you are looking for.
Pica Press Forum
Our community forum for Pica Press owners and builders. Ask assembly questions, share tips, show your prints, and connect with other people using the press.
Printmakers Matrix
The broader printmaking community behind Pica Press. Explore contests, connect with artists, and stay involved with the wider Printmakers Matrix project.
Get in touch
Contact
Questions about the press, downloads, or becoming a reseller? Send us a message and we will get back to you.
Prefer email? [email protected]