About Mission Gráfica Printmaking Studio

Mission Gráfica was established in 1977, at the same time the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts was founded. Our name is a melding of meanings: Mission in English, is an undertaking and a political commitment to social change, and Gráfica in Spanish, established a Latino identity and defends our roots and values. Mission Gráfica offers low-cost screen cleaning and exposing services, classes, and studio rentals to the community. We also offer great support for established and emerging artists who are new to printmaking to produce great and consistent prints.

Mission Gráfica Archive

Within our archive, we have cataloged more than 4,000 Latino/Chicano prints and posters, making it one of the most important collections in the country. With this archive, MCCLA possesses an important artistic tool to educate the general public and the Latino community, about its artist and their printmaking. The preservation of this body and work is vital to our rich Chicano and Latino cultural history, and it serves as a powerful monument not only to our culture but also to the artistic talents of our proud community.

Facilities

Mission Gráfica Agreements and Workplace Rules

We offer day rentals by appointment: info@missionculturalcenter.org

You can pay for your rental at the box office before going to Mission Gráfica

Fees for screen preparation and transparencies must be paid at Box Office before going to Mission Grafica.

    • 32” x 56” Griffin etching press

    • 27” x 47” Griffin etching press

    • 19” x 32” Griffin etching press

    • Two areas for inking

    • Assorted work tables

    • Guillotine for large format paper

    • Two light tables

    • Vertical and Horizontal Phosphoric acid bath for copper plate etching

    • Exposure Unit with 43” x 62” bed

    • Darkroom for screen coating

    • Pressure washer

    • Assorted work tables

    • Squeegees

    • Daily Rental by appointment only: $40

    • Textile: $75

    • Preparation of screen (Does not include transparency): $30

    • Transparency: $10

    • Mission Gráfica Studio will be open and follow the class calendar for the year.

  • $40: Evening / Half-day (3 hours, 6-9pm)

    $60: Day Rental (6 hours, 2-8pm)

    Mission Gráfica available for rent by appointment, please email info@missionculturalcenter.org two days in advance to make sure the studio is available.

    Availability: 
    - Daytime: TuesWedFriSat 2-8pm
    - Evening: TuesWed 6-9pm

    Renter must bring their own screens, inks, and papers. 

    We can print transparencies, $5 each for renters who only want to reclaim screens, only daytime rentals please.

    Mission Gráfica provides darkroom access, wash station and power washer, emulsion, screen reclaimer, squeegees, hinge boards, etc.

    The studio must be left clean at the end of each session. Please begin cleanup 30 minutes before the end of your session. Wash squeegees, plastic cards and spoons, ensuring no ink is left in any part of the squeegee. Prints left in the dry racks will be moved to the class storage area. If prints are not claimed within two weeks, they may be disposed of or become property of Mission Gráfica.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our classes work on a drop-in basis so you can start any time. Beginning students are welcome; you can visit our classes before you start.

    Anybody new to Mission Gráfica and would like to start using the screen printing studio will need to take a beginning screenprint workshop to access Mission Gráfica's open studio. This Workshop is a studio Orientation on how to use the facilities in the studio and also get the basics of screen printing and preparing Positives / Color separations.

  • Students taking classes and renters are limited to an edition of 25 prints and 3 screens. Day Rentals are available for anyone needing to print larger editions and clean more than 3 screens.

  • If you want to rent studio space, schedule an appointment and get confirmation before coming to the studio.

    To get an email confirmation please email info@missionculturalcenter.org