About
Our Mission
The IPRC’s mission is to facilitate creative expression, identity and community by providing individual access to tools and resources for creating independently published media and artwork. In our twelve years of operation, we’ve provided artistic services to upwards of 23,000 Oregonians through membership, use of the Center, workshops and outreach programs. We’ve empowered thousands of people to create and publish their own artwork, writing, zines, books, websites, comics and graphic novels.
We’ve helped community members find their artistic voices – especially disenfranchised youth (including GLBT, minority, at-risk, and homeless youth) whose lifestyles and experiences tend to be marginalized in the major media. We’ve helped countless individuals to discover themselves through art, and to reach and inspire others in the community by publishing and sharing their work. By gathering such diverse people under one roof, the IPRC nourishes an expansive and productive community. In fact the IPRC is at the very heart of Portland’s vibrant “do-it-yourself” (DIY) artistic and literary communities – it’s a creative home for many local artists, and an incubator for the independent creative spirit that makes Portland unique.
Testimonials
“It’s been a little more than a year since I stumbled on your magical rooms and they have allowed me to share my work with others, the ultimate goal of the creative process. I finished five books this past year and have more in the works, my kids even want me to start doing cards so who knows. I couldn’t have done it without you. Whenever anyone asks, I tell them ‘Everything I know, I learned at the IPRC.’”
-Lance Linder, IPRC member
“The IPRC has been a huge part of what makes living in Portland so awesome!”
-Theo Ellsworth, Graphic Novelist and author of Capacity
“The IPRC is a magicland.”
-Katy Maehl, IPRC visitor
“The IPRC is kind of like a fairy godmother, only instead of giving one girl a temporary pumpkin carriage and a pair of dangerous shoes, the center gives a whole community of creatives the means to make, print, publish and thrive. That’s a much better use of magic, if you ask me.”
-Amanda Huckins, writer and letterrpress printer
Workspace
The IPRC is one of the only nonprofit self-publishing centers of its kind anywhere in the world. We offer access to workspace and tools to aid in the production and distribution of zines, comics, hand-bound books and artwork. This includes computer workstations for writing, scanning, graphic design & desktop publishing, and high-speed internet access for research and networking purposes; two copiers, five table-top letterpresses, a Bind-Fast 5 Perfect-Binding Machine, and various other tools for creating, binding, and assembling publications. We also have two art galleries and one of the nation’s largest circulating zine libraries.
Click image for cross-sectional view of the IPRC workspace
Here’s a tour of the facilities at the IPRC.
Rates
Workspace and equipment is available to any member of the public at either an hourly ($5/hour) or yearly rate (begins at $45-100/year, sliding scale).
Orientation
The IPRC holds two Orientations a month: second Thursdays from 7-8 pm and third Saturdays from 3-4pm at the Center, 917 SW Oak #218. Prospective users and general public who are interested in the Publishing Center are welcome to attend. Note: Orientation attendance is not required in order to become a member online, register for workshops, or visit the center, however new members are encouraged to attend an orientation within a month of joining the IPRC.
Workshops
The IPRC offers educational workshops on a variety of subjects related to publishing. The workshops are designed to give participants technical information and hands-on experience which they can they apply to their individual projects. We are always expanding our offerings based on the public demand for topics relating to publishing, writing and artwork.
Topics Include:
- Bookbinding and Bind-Fast 5 Perfect Binding (this involves using a machine to produce actual books with a flat spine)
- Design & Publishing Software (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
- Comic, Zine, Chapbook and Web publishing
- Copyright Law, Editing & Revision, and Distribution & Promotion Seminars
- Letterpress Printing, Printmaking Basics
- Creative Business Practices
- DIY Screenprinting
- Flipbooks
- Youth Zine-Making Workshops
- Our Yearlong Certificate Program in Independent Publishing, featuring three separate tracks in 1) Fiction/Nonfiction 2) Poetry and 3) Comics/Graphic Novels. For more info on this program click here
We are always looking for workshop instructors to expand our quality offerings. Contact us if you have relevant skills and a little time to work with enthusiastic self-publishers.
All workshop space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register with payment at the IPRC or online by clicking on the Brown Paper Tickets logo under the workshop description on the homepage. For a list of upcoming workshops, peruse our calendar.
Registration Policy
Workshop Registration Info
- You may make a reservation for a workshop online by clicking on the Brown Paper Tickets logo under the workshop description or in person at the IPRC. Full payment for the class must be received at the time of registration.
- If a workshop is full, we will put you on a wait list and contact you if a space opens up.
- Bring any material fees when you attend your workshop.
- You may cancel your reservation within 7 days of a workshop for a full refund.
- If a workshop is canceled because of lack of enrollment, you’ll receive a 100% refund.
- Members receive first listed price in course descriptions. Youth ( 8 – 18) receive member-price for any non-youth workshops. Please contact with questions regarding age appropriateness.
Questions? Call 503.827.0249 or email info@iprc.org
Letterpress Print Shop
After completing Intro to Letterpress or equivalent, the letterpress print shop at the IPRC has open print hours with trained staff available to help you with your project. Currently the print shop open hours are:
- Sundays 2 – 8pm
- Mondays 5 – 8 pm
- Thursdays 6 – 9 pm
(After you are fully trained, you may qualify for full-access printing during all IPRC open hours.) You may call ahead to sign up for a press. To use the presses you must purchase a $30 10-use punch card, or pay $3 each time you ink a press. The Letterpress print shop is always looking for volunteers to help out, and volunteers may use the letterpress room for free.
IPRC member Debbie West on the beloved Golding press
Binding Machine
After completing Bindfast5 or equivalent, the binding machine has open hours with trained staff available to help you with your project. Currently the binding open hours are:
- Sundays 4 – 7pm
- Fridays 12 – 4 pm
(After you are fully trained, you may qualify for full-access binding during all IPRC binding hours.) You may call ahead to sign up.
Yeti Research
In the winter of 2010, we transformed our Computer Lab into a state of the art Yeti Research Station, featuring resources and equipment for Yeti-detection and general cryptozoological inquiry. The Station features a map of Oregon Yeti sightings, a Yeti-meter, fur samples, a Sasquatch footprint artifact and our Furry Printer. We’re also proud to display various artistic interpretations of Yeti, Sasquatch, Bigfoot and Abominable Snowmen. In addition we carry the Northwest’s finest selection of Yeti-based zines and publications.
The Station is open for research purposes to all IPRC members. Free tours are available for non-members anytime during Open Hours.
All Yeti sightings should be recorded in our Yeti Log.
Groups
The IPRC is also a space for members to build a community among their fellow self-publishers. In the past we have hosted Zine Publishers’ Potlucks, and groups for Book Artists, Writers, and Comic Artists. Letterpress printing hours are hosted every Monday and Thursday evening to provide an opportunity for information exchange as well as supervised work time for those who have taken the prerequisite workshop.
If you’re interested in starting a new group or participating in one that is already happening, please give us a call.
2010 IPRC Supporters
Übermensch Circle ($500+):
Matt Ethridge & Nancy Prior
Colin Meloy
MaryKay West
Brian Flynn
Dawn Andreas
Editor’s Circle ($200-$499):
Thom Perry
Joan Shipley
The Bhakti Shop
Tim McMahon
Linda Hutchins
Marilyn Zornado
Daniel Gilsdorf
Heather Watkins
Jason Glover
Jason Breedlove
Publisher’s Circle ($100-$199):
Harrel Lawrence
Douglas Blandy
Richard Lamer
Marny Spoons
Ivan Snyder
Jennifer Jackson
Lisa Pate
Kohel Haver
Marion Shimoda
Michael Nichols
Cheryl Lowrey
Christopher Ghormley
Lance Linder
Robert Mueller
BT Shaw
Luna Prado
Gregory Tozian
John Alger
Betty Curry Johnson
Barb Tetenbaum
Joe Padulo
Ben Kates
Asher Craw
Matthew Jones
Reader’s Circle ($10-$99):
J. Alyce
City Bikes Cooperative
Rebecca King
Kathy Hardie-Williams
Megan Kahrs
Tim Farley
Erik Fabian
Serena Van Vranken
Julie Larson
Ben Moorad
Gary Casebeer
Cynthia Coburn
Julie Shapiro
Lisa Mae Osborn
Susan Denning
Marianne Tanner
Gesine Kratzner
Jason Sandys
Tex Clark
Valerie Garrett
Cynthia Lahti
Greg Klein
Susan Myers
Virginia Dodier
Heather Lane
Stephen Powell
Jana DeCristofaro
Maryanne DeGoede
WM Arts Management
Pollyanne Birge
Amber Keller
Emily Oliva
Nina Isaacson
Jean Appleton
Ellen Cantwell
Stephen Perry
Deborah Lockwood
Judith Arielle Fiestal
Margo DeBair
Paul Pierce
Pat Janowski
Mike McGonigal
JoDee Stringham
Flora Bowley
Krissy Durden
Amanda Briles
Anette Boyer
Chris Johanson
Rebecca Mendez
Diane Couture
Sheryl Horwitz
Katherine Sinback
Mary Harris
Stevan Allred
Ann Lawrence
Lori Damiano
Jill Kornelis
Lindsey Frei
Julie Engel
Amanda Huckins
Earl Dizon
Ann Rasmussen
Katy Liljeholm
Margaux Mennesson
Lisa Marshall
Juan-Paz Mendez
Alissa Johnson
Sanne Stienstra
Jessica Stern
Levi Cecil
Christopher McLaren
Heather Long
Katherine Happ
Leila Chieko
Jeffrey Knutson
Everett Patterson
Clare Sabatini
Patricia Cheyne
Joshua Winegarner
Chelsea Maricle
Breena Wiederhoeft
Michelle Carroll
Matthew Cleinman
Sarah Creighton
Page Birmingham
Erica Hijazi
Sarah Royal
Maura Conlon-McIvor
Jeannie Songer
Lia Cunningham
Eleanor Whitney
Jordan Rickards
Steph Routh
Jennifer Lawrence
Margaret Cunningham
Peter Jungers
Max Turner
Lucy Bellwood
Jack Saturn
Sarah Rector
Corin See
Amy Solana
Yoon Chung
Chloe Fields
Joe Wirtheim
Ned Holbrook
Heather Ohana
Ursula Crawford
Jesse Schaefer
Suzanne Savell
Nim Wunnan
Patrice Mays
Erica Dunn
Tia Davidson
Caitlin Clark
Zachary Edmonson
Nicole Robare
Bethany Moore
Eden Bainter
Dustin McVay
Dave Trost
Ellen Whatmore
Tasi Designs
Francesca Wrobel
