Major Award

Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR) is delighted to announce that it has been granted an award of £7.7M from Research England’s ‘Expanding Excellence in England’ (E3) Fund to increase its internationally acclaimed empirical investigation into the artistic, historical and industrial significance of creative print practices, processes and technologies.

Using this new investment, the CFPR will expand its research capacity with a specific focus on addressing: Transformative Technologies for Practice-led Design; Innovative Print Techniques Reconstructing Historic Reprographic Methods; and Novel Print Processes and Materials for Physical and Tactile Surfaces

Universities and Science Minister Chris Skidmore, who made the announcement about the funding, said: “Pushing the boundaries of knowledge and conquering new innovations are what our universities are known for the world over. This programme led by UWE Bristol will give us a glimpse into the past using the technology of the future, including 3D printing to recreate historical artefacts. The Expanding Excellence in England Fund will support projects throughout England to master new and developing areas of research and industry. Made possible through our record R&D spend delivered by our modern Industrial Strategy, the investment will support researchers to develop solutions and opportunities for UK researchers and businesses.”

Celebrating its 21st birthday in 2019, the Centre for Fine Print Research has a mission to innovate, contemplate and understand all aspects of print history, practice, manufacturing and materials from developing 3D printable ceramic materials to disruptive printing technologies, developing new inks and collaborating with artists such as Sir Peter Blake to find fine art applications for emerging print techniques. The investment will fund 19 new multi-disciplinary posts in the CFPR including artists, designers, scientists, technologists and leaders at a range of levels to join our group. The funding supports a range of posts including associate professors, early career to senior researchers and technicians across our key areas, which includes fine art, print, product design, robotics, electronics, software, manufacturing, materials science and nanotechnology.

Talking about the funding, UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve West said:
“We are honoured to be one of the universities to receive this significant funding through Research England. Our Centre for Fine Print Research is going from strength to strength. In 2018 the CFPR was highly commended by the Times Higher Awards for its innovative contribution to Burleigh Pottery to help the iconic company continue printing its traditional print patterns on pottery. This fund will now allow the Centre to work ever more closely with partners to tackle big challenges around printing.”

We would like to thank our project partners who helped us win this investment including: Burleigh Potteries, CEL-UK, Cranfield Colours, Denby Potteries, Glass Technology Services Ltd, Hewlett Packard Bristol and USA labs, Imerys Group, Multiple Sclerosis Research, Ultimaker, the University of Leeds, Pangolin, Wedgwood (Fiskars), The Crafts Council, The National Gallery, The National Science and Media Museum Group, Bristol Legible City and Bristol City Council, The National Trust, St Cuthbert’s Mill, Toshiba Research Europe Limited, Create Education, ColourCom, John Purcell Paper, The Ken Stradling Collection, Spike Print Studio, Bristol, Worton Hall Studio, London and the RNIB.