nontoxicprint

This website is an ongoing research project. 

It aims to give an overview of some of the key issues 

in 'safer' creative practices.

It does not claim to be definitive or complete. 

New information and findings emerge on a regular basis,

and, although comprehensive in scope

across media, this resource to an extent

emphasizes writings, innovations and developments

connected to the research and philosophical bias of 

a founding group of researchers and institutes

who contributed to this new field over the past thirty years.

It is driven by an ethos of finding safer methods 

-- substitutions -- in favor of the prevailing approach.

Why try to manage unacceptably dangerous toxic hazards

in artists' daily working practice if you can get 

professional (and sometimes better) results 

through a safer and more mindful approach?

Our history: The first online resource SafePrintmaking.com was created in 2003/2004, based on ongoing writings for books and magazines begun in 1994, as an academic research project to help disseminate new findings in the field of 'nontoxic' printmaking. 

There were already many print publications outlining the subject and its development, but it was clear that an online resource would reach a larger audience, facilitate searching, and be better suited to dealing with new research, innovation, and new information that would need to be changed, added to, and updated each year.

In 2006 the site became an independent research resource, and since that time has grown enormously through contributions from dozens of artists, scientists, educators and many others, who gave their information and articles freely to forward the debate on 'nontoxic', innovative, and more health-conscious practice. 

In 2011 nontoxicprint extended the range of its work into the vast area of 'safer painting' practice, through the addition of SafePainting.com.

We are very grateful for the hard work all our contributors have done over the years in supporting this project.

Not only focusing on printmaking and showcasing printed art, the site also includes broader issues, and information on safer paints, binders, inks and solvents, and most areas of visual art practice. 

This collaborative forum and resource tries to foster the cross-fertilization of ideas and approaches, and expert opinion is sought whenever possible. The site is not just about ongoing and thriving innovation, but also about tradition practiced more safely. 

Most pages are updated annually in consideration of recent studies from a variety of fields and sciences, updated practices, complementing points of view, and new findings. 

Health in The Arts Compendium     various authors and scientists