APW 'Apprentice' Printer - Training Program

Inaugurated in 2024, APW designed this exciting program to deliver ‘apprentice-like’ fine art printer training. The program aims to nurture and develop the technical and collaborative printing skills of talented artist printmakers and ensure the continuation of this important visual arts medium in Australia. 

Working as part of a team, trainees are mentored by APW’s highly skilled and experienced senior printers,  gaining hands-on experience in APW’s print and artist programs using APW’s world class print studios. Each trainee also undertakes a special collaborative print project (as principal printer).

Generously supported by The Ian Potter Foundation this major program, originally conceived as a 3-year program with two trainees each year has been extended to 4 years, with one trainee appointed in the final two years (2026 and 2027). This program reflects APW’s commitment to fostering the next generation of collaborative fine art printers.

APW is delighted to welcome Rob Eales as APW 'Apprentice' Printer Program trainee for 2026.

Selected from a highly competitive field of applicants from around Australia, Rob has a background in industrial design and is a member of Commoners Press, a letterpress print studio based in Melbourne. He is looking forward to the year ahead, working with APW's highly skilled print team to gain hands-on experience as a collaborative fine art printer.

Rob views the 12-month program as an excellent opportunity to enhance his printing skills and work in a professional print studio on collaborative print projects with leading contemporary Australian artists. 

Applications will be sought later in 2026 for our 2027 placement.

Please email us to join the APW mailing list contact@australianprintworkshop.com to keep up to date with this program and other APW initiatives.

APW 'Apprentice' Printer Alumni

2024 - Jeremy Grigg and Miriam Penrose

2025 - Declan Monaghan and Tom Sinclair