Imprint Art Fair 2026: International Open Call for Printmakers – Deadline 9 July

A major new contemporary art fair is launching in London—and it is putting original printmaking at the centre of the conversation. Imprint, from the team behind the renowned Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, has just opened its International Artist Open Call.

Selected artists will exhibit alongside specialist galleries, publishers and institutions at RHS Lawrence Hall, Westminster—a landmark Art Deco space in the heart of London—engaging directly with collectors and the wider contemporary art market at what promises to become the leading global art fair for contemporary print.

Deadline for entries: 9 July 2026, 5pm (GMT).

What Is Imprint?

Imprint is not a conventional open-call exhibition. It is a curated contemporary art fair that positions print and editions as a gateway to collecting contemporary art.

The fair brings together:

• A focused group of galleries, publishers and institutions

• A curated presentation of works selected through this Artist Open Call

This integrated approach places independent and emerging artists within a considered, high-quality context, alongside established programmes shaping contemporary practice today.

As the organisers put it: “By combining a gallery structure with a curated artist presentation, Imprint creates a clear, confident and dynamic environment for discovering and collecting contemporary art.”

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to artists working with original printmaking processes—from anywhere in the world, at any stage of their practice.

Imprint defines an original print as a work conceived as a print from the outset, rather than a reproduction of an existing artwork.

All original printmaking techniques are considered, including:

• Monotype and monoprint

• Relief processes: woodcut, linocut, wood engraving

• Intaglio techniques: etching, drypoint, engraving, aquatint, mezzotint

• Screenprint and lithography

• Digital and photographic prints (giclée) – provided the work is conceived as an original print and issued as a limited edition

Expanded approaches are welcome:

Works are not required to be on paper. Imprint welcomes submissions that combine printmaking with other disciplines—including sculpture, installation and performance—particularly where these approaches expand the definition of print.

What Selected Artists Receive

• Exhibition at RHS Lawrence Hall, Westminster – a landmark Art Deco venue in central London

• Direct engagement with collectors and industry professionals

• Placement alongside specialist galleries and publishers

• Opportunity to be considered for major awards (see below)

• Potential for visibility through the ‘Director’s Cut’ – a parallel selection highlighting exceptional work not included in the main exhibition

The Awards

Imprint offers a remarkable slate of prizes, including:

More awards to be announced.

Submission Costs & Fees

Hardship provision: Email info@woolwichprintfair.com if you would qualify for hardship help towards the application fee. These are limited.

The entry fee is non-refundable.

What You Will Need to Apply

The application is split into two stages and submitted via ArtOpps.

Stage 1: Applicant Details

• Contact details

• Number of works being submitted

• Personal questions (for marketing if successful)

• Payment method

Stage 2: Artwork Details

• Digital images of artwork (max 5MB per image)

• Dimensions (framed & unframed)

• Prices (framed & unframed)

• Edition size

• Artist statement (max 200 words, written in third person)

• Tagline (max 175 characters) – a brief summary of your statement/CV

• Portrait photograph (for marketing; panellists will not see this)

• Social media/website handles

• Delivery destination plan

Key Dates

Delivery & Practical Support

Imprint has built an unusually supportive infrastructure for artists, recognising that logistics can be a barrier.

Regional Drop-Off Locations (Free Service)

Selected artists can drop work at any of these partner locations for transport to the fair:

Unsold work is returned to the same drop-off point after the fair.

Framing Service

Imprint offers a simple, high-quality framing service at low prices. Input your dimensions and choose from a range of frames and mounting options for an upfront quote.

In-Person Delivery

Artists can also deliver framed work directly to the fair site, or send framed work internationally to Imprint’s workshop.

The Panel & The Director’s Cut

The panel will be announced soon. Works selected for exhibition are chosen through a panel-led process, with final decisions determined collectively.

The Director’s Cut is a parallel selection made by the Imprint Directors, highlighting a small number of artists whose work demonstrates exceptional strength and distinction but is not included in the final exhibition. This offers additional visibility to artists whose practice aligns closely with the ethos of the fair.

Why Enter?

Imprint is not a small pop-up. It is being built by the team behind Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair – one of the most successful platforms for contemporary print in the UK. This is a professional, market-facing fair with:

• A landmark central London venue

• Serious collector attendance

• Established gallery and publisher participation

• A clear commercial and curatorial framework

For printmakers at any career stage, this is an opportunity to place your work directly in front of the people who buy, commission and collect.

Final Checklist

• Do you work with original printmaking processes? (No reproductions.)

• Can you submit up to 6 works?

• Have you prepared a 200-word third-person artist statement?

• Do you have a 175-character tagline?

• Is your portrait photograph ready (for marketing only)?

• Have you checked the regional drop-off locations?

• Can your work be professionally presented (framed, with D-rings and string)?

Imprint Art Fair – International Artist Open Call

Venue: RHS Lawrence Hall, Westminster, London

Deadline: 9 July 2026, 5pm (GMT)

Application fee: £35 (first submission) / £5 each thereafter | Free for Artist Members

Enter Now via the ArtOpps Online Portal HERE

Imprint is a contemporary art fair positioning print and editions as a gateway to collecting contemporary art. From the team behind Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair.