Though our primary focus is the creation of fine art prints, Tugboat Printshop is open & excited to take on occasional commission work in print or illustration. We operate on a project to project basis, depending upon the time of year, intensity of the commission, and our availablility. If you are interested in hiring Tugboat for custom work, please feel free to call 412-621-0663 or E-MAIL US for a quote on your project.
Please bear in mind that due to the labor intensive nature of making woodcuts, quick turnaround is rarely possible. We require at least a 6 months notice for custom printed multiples. Tugboat specializes in fine-art woodcuts and our prices are reflective of the time and effort that it takes to design, draw, cut, and manufacture our individual, unique, fine-art products.
EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT WOODCUT EXHIBITION POSTER, 2010.
((( VIEW PHOTOS OF THE BLOCKS & PRINTING OF THIS POSTER )))
EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: THE DECEMBERISTS WOODBLOCK POSTER, 2011.
Tugboat Printshop was commissioned by THE DECEMBERISTS band to make a 3 block woodcut show poster for their 2011 Omaha performance. Below is the finished poster!
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(ABOVE, LEFT)) Pencil Drawing for key wood block (in reverse) in progress. (ABOVE, RIGHT) The final state of the key block--drawn, carved in relief, and rolled with ink!
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(ABOVE) The yellow and blue color wood blocks carved and ready to print through the press! These two blocks, printed with the key block shown above make the final printed woodcut poster image.
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EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: AMERICAN EXPRESS ICONIC POP DECAL, 2010.
Tugboat Printshop worked with SIEGEL + GALE, one of the world's premier strategic branding companies, to create this illustration of Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle for AMERICAN EXPRESS. Original drawning, digitally colored.
EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: THE DECEMBERISTS WOODBLOCK POSTER, 2011.
Tugboat Printshop was commissioned by THE DECEMBERISTS band to make a 4 block woodcut show poster for their 2011 Columbia, MD performance. Below is the finished poster!
(ABOVE) The finished 18" x 12" woodblock poster. (BELOW) In-progress shots of woodblock poster blocks being carved. 4 wood blocks were hand-drawn, hand-carved & hand-printed to make the final show poster above!
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EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA ALUMNI PRINT, 2004.
(BELOW) This edition of 100 full color woodblock prints was commissioned from Paul by the ALUMNI HOUSE at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Vermillion, 2004.
EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: BEARD WOODBLOCK FOR BEARDED STUDIOS, 2010.
OUR DESIGN PROCESS STEP-BY-STEP:
DESIGN: Tugboat Printshop works with you directly to develop an original image and idea that fits your needs. We will provide up to three loose sketches--of those, one is chosen to develop as the key block drawing.
KEY BLOCK DRAWING + CUTTING: The final drawing for the key block is made directly on a block of birch plywood. The drawing is then carved out with hand-held knives to preserve the detail of the inked in lines.
TRANSFER OF BLOCKS FOR COLOR: If multiple colors are part of the design scheme, multiple woodblocks are carved for each of the colors (though sometimes it will work to have two colors on the same block) The key block image is transferred to same sized blocks and redrawn with the new underlying color information.
PRINTING: The finished blocks are inked by hand with rollers and are printed through our Conrad etching press. Each color layer requires a short drying time.
CUTTING + FOLDING: Depending on the type of commission, cutting & folding might be required (as with the invitation example above).
EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: KUBIS/DANYO WOODCUT WEDDING INVITATION, 2008
Tugboat Printshop received a MERIT AWARD from HOW MAGAZINE ANNUAL SELF PROMOTION ISSUE, 2008 for this invite!
The piece was photographed by HOW MAGAZINE and appeared in print in the issue.
(ABOVE) A four block color woodcut wedding invitation by Tugboat Printshop, shown unfolded. Below are photos of the invitation as it folds into its envelope state. (The front and back of the fawn-colored paper were printed and cut down to fold into a easy-to-mail 6" x 8" printed envelope--super easy to tuck additional maps and guest information into!) The R.S.V.P. card (ABOVE, R) is perforated for easy return through the mail as a postcard.
(ABOVE) Flaps to the right & left fold to the center of the invite, showcasing 2 nested pink floral hearts. When opening the envelope, one would see the two hearts side-by-side (BELOW). As these flaps are opened, the blue birds touching wings are revealed (SEE TOP PHOTO)!
(ABOVE, RIGHT) A silohuetted white birch tree pattern wraps delicately around the back length of the invite. Opposite side of envelope featured an break in this pattern to hand-pen individual addresses.
EXAMPLES OF OUR COMMISSION WORK: FOLEY/PACE WOODCUT WEDDING INVITATION, 2010.
(ABOVE, LEFT) Invitation folded into an envelope (a sticker seals). (ABOVE, RIGHT) Back side of envelope.
Printed from custom drawn & carved woodblocks in golden yellow ink.
(ABOVE) Photos of invitation opening to reveal wedding details & RSVP card with bride & groom likenesses!
(ABOVE) Illustrated text inside custom woodcut wedding invitation. Printed with gold ink on white paper. On the far right is the back of the perforated RSVP postcard (front of card is bride & groom illustration).
(ABOVE) Backside/envelope side of the unfolded invitation with perforated bride & groom RSVP postcard.
((( VIEW PHOTOS OF THE BLOCKS & PRINTING OF THIS INVITE )))
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: A FAIR IN THE PARK POSTER 2008 + 2009
(BELOW) Original drawing, digitally colored for the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh's "A FAIR IN THE PARK" annual outdoor fair. The finished posters & postcards were manufactured by a commercial printer.
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: A FAIR IN THE PARK POSTER 2010
(BELOW) Original drawing, digitally colored for the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh's "A FAIR IN THE PARK" annual outdoor fair. The finished posters & postcards were manufactured by a commercial printer.
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: TRI-FOLD PATRIOTIC 4TH OF JULY HAT FOR DAILY CANDY
(BELOW) Original drawing, digitally colored, made for the event and lifestyle blog DAILY CANDY. The finished drawing (along with a brief write-up about Tugboat) is available for download for FREE on DAILY CANDY.
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLES: ETSY.COM ARTIST OF THE MONTH PUBLICITY PACK ILLUSTRATIONS
(ABOVE) Hand-drawn Promotional Poster design for Etsy.com (above).
(ABOVE) Hand-drawn Promotional Box-top design for Etsy.com (above).
(ABOVE) Hand-drawn Promotional Postcard design for Etsy.com (above).
ILLUSTRATION EXAMPLE: INSIDE COVER POSSIBILTIY FOR UNICORN MOUNTAIN COMIC ANTHOLOGY
© 2006-2011 Tugboat Printshop | All visual media © Tugboat Printshop. All Rights Reserved. | PRIVACY POLICY
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