Ironbridge Fine Arts 2025 Printmaking Competition

Celebrating the very best in printmaking from around the globe

Welcome to the official online gallery for the Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaking Open 2025 – a celebration of printmaking excellence and innovation. This year, we are proud to showcase the extraordinary talent of printmakers from across the UK and around the world.

Each artwork featured here has been carefully selected by our expert judging panel and reflects the rich diversity of contemporary printmaking – from traditional etchings to cutting-edge experimental techniques.

Whether you are a fellow artist, an art collector, or a first-time buyer, this gallery is designed for you to discover, enjoy, and even own a piece of this year’s competition. Many of the works are available for purchase, making this the perfect opportunity to support talented printmakers and invest in original fine art.

About the Competition

The Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaking Competition is an annual event dedicated to championing the art and craft of printmaking. Open to both UK and international artists, the 2025 competition offered over £9,000 in prizes and the chance to exhibit in our renowned gallery situated in the Ironbridge UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside this global online exhibition.

Key Highlights:

Over 9,000 in prizes including Gunning Etching Presses for UK and International winners.

Professional framing for selected student entries courtesy of Centrado Trading and Ironbridge Fine Arts.

A six-week curateIronbridge Fine Arts 2025 Printmaking Competition

Celebrating the very best in printmaking from around the globe

Welcome to the online gallery for the Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaking Open 2025 – a curated celebration of contemporary printmaking. Explore the incredible works submitted by artists from the UK and around the world. Each piece reflects unique skill, imagination, and dedication to the craft.

Many works are available for purchase, offering a chance to collect original prints and support talented printmakers directly.

Discover the Artists & Their Techniques

This year, submissions span a remarkable variety of printmaking methods:

Etching, aquatint, and mezzotint – delicate lines and rich tonal layers.

Lino, woodcut, and relief printing – bold, graphic, and tactile.

Monoprints, collagraphs, and experimental techniques – inventive approaches blending texture, colour, and process.

Photo-etching, cyanotype, and botanical transfers – bridging traditional craft with modern innovation.

Each artwork tells a story: from painstaking hand-biting to spontaneous, playful experiments with texture and colour. Click on any piece to learn more about the artist, their inspiration, and available works for purchase.

Featured Prizes & Opportunities

UK Winner: Little Thumper Gunning Etching Press (£2,105) + curated exhibition, catalogue inclusion, and private view access.

International Winner: Mini Thumper Gunning Etching Press (£880, including shipping) + online exhibition and catalogue feature.

Special Prizes: East London Printmakers Prize, student framing awards, and more, celebrating innovation and skill across all entries.

These awards showcase not just technical mastery but also creativity, storytelling, and artistic voice.

Our Judging Panel

Our judges combine decades of experience in printmaking, curation, and fine art:

Dave Gunning BA (Hons) – master printmaker and inventor of the Gunning Etching Presses.

Brendyn Flynn – curator and lecturer with deep expertise in fine art.

Jenny Gunning ARBSA – co-owner of Ironbridge Fine Arts, specialising in etching and mezzotint.

Guest Judges: Mark Lord, Steve Evans, Sam Marshall, and Jenny McCabe bring fresh perspectives from contemporary printmaking.

Their guidance ensures this exhibition celebrates the most inspiring, technically accomplished, and innovative prints of 2025.

Start Exploring & Collecting

Scroll through the gallery below to discover, connect with, and purchase original prints. Each piece is an opportunity to own a work of art while supporting the printmaking community.