Images magazine Digital Edition April 2018

DECORATOR PROFILE www.images-magazine.com 32 images APRIL 2018 Images visits Peckham Levels to see how 3rd Rail is kickstarting a whole new generation of printers “L ondon’s biggest open access screen printing facility combining paper and fabric printing with studio and desk space”. That’s how screen printing company 3rd Rail summarises its new venture, 3rd Rail Print Space, which opened in January this year. The name 3rd Rail will be familiar to many in the industry: it’s been operating as a commercial print shop for the past decade during which time it has printed many high profile jobs (with one of its designs even gracing the Images Decorated Product of the Month spot). The concept behind 3rd Rail Print Space grew out of the company’s desire to build a comprehensive print hub and modern learning environment that would make screen printing accessible to a new audience while providing those who are already experienced in their chosen medium with both the equipment and the opportunity to swap ideas with like-minded co-workers. “Over the years we’ve perfected some pretty experimental techniques,” says co-director Rob Burgess. “We’re really excited about the possibility of exchanging ideas with people who are just as passionate and curious as us.” The project gives people the option to buy memberships, rent a studio or desk space, or opt for pay-as-you-go studio access. It also, rather neatly, brings 3rd Rail full circle: the company started out by renting a T-shirt carousel in an open access studio before setting up in its own unit: now, it is ensuring others have the same opportunity to start their own fledgling businesses. 3rd Rail Space is located in Peckham Levels, a community hub for local businesses and creative types just off the main high street in Peckham, south London, on the site of an old car park. After two years of planning and building, the car park was transformed into a brand new facility that opened to the public at the end of 2017, offering a mix of classes from yoga to photography, along with cafes, bars and co-working spaces. Crowdfunding By November 2017, shortly before Peckham Levels was due to open, 3rd Rail had raised enough money to cover the rent and equipment for 3rd Rail Print Space, but had fallen just short of the full amount needed to complete the building works. Not to be deterred, the team launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise £10,000 to cover the cost of transforming its new 4,000 square foot space into a fully functional, open access screen printing studio. A flurry of pledges in the last few days of the campaign in December – including one from headwear and bag manufacturer Beechfield Brands – meant the refurbishment could finally go ahead. The final amount raised was £11,558 with funding from 117 backers. Roger McHugh, MD of Beechfield Brands, comments: “We were happy to contribute, albeit in a small way, to what promises to be a fantastic project. For individuals to be able to rent facilities for a short while, to help to realise their dreams, is simply brilliant.” When Images visited the studio at the end of January, the building work was nearly finished. The launch party the week before had seen around 120 people pay (as part of the Kickstarter) to screen print their own tote bag with a [Below left] The open access studio offers garment, textile and fabric printing. [Below] At the launch party, guests could screen print tote bags. [Bottom] 3rd Rail Print Space opened in Peckham Levels earlier this year for all