Benchpress is an independent printing press (and occasional sandwich press) based in Perth, Western Australia. Offering printing and publishing services through the use of a Risograph MZ 790U, the press is able to assist in the production of art prints, books, catalogues, zines, posters, flyers, invitations, stationery, business cards, and CD/ DVD/ cassette covers amongst other things.
Benchpress was first established in April 2010 by Dan Bourke and Clare Wohlnick, and ran alongside Benchwork (their graphic and web design business) until their Risograph GR 3750 broke in September 2011. With the purchase of a 2004 model secondhand Risograph to replace their broken 1994 model, Bourke has continued to run the press from its new location at artist-run initiative Galleria since June 2012.
With the cost of duplicating an original via a Risograph stencil printer being typically more economical than that of a conventional photocopier, laser printer, or inkjet printer; the printing press is able to provide a more flexible, affordable, and environmentally-friendly alternative to commercial printing and publishing for small-scale jobs.
Benchpress has worked with a variety of clients and on a number of projects including the likes of Avant-Garden, Balalaika, Dada Records, Eggs Press, Fremantle Arts Centre, Galleria, Golden Staph, Good Company, Human Xerox, Matthew Hunt, Thomas Jeppe, Katie Lenanton, Love Is My Velocity, Liang Luscombe, McNess Studios, OK Gallery, Plan A, Poetry Club, Reverse Engine Ear, Charlie Sofo, Taco Leg, The Weather Ring, and UWA Architectural Projects.
Here are some testimonials:
"This Place is The Very Kewlest Website on the entire Information Highway."
"I was wonderin gif you have any wu-tang clan animated cursors? My friend has the mouse cursor that looks like a mouse and at every entry it eats cheese. I am new at this Internet thing and I'm having a rough time finding things."
"I'm very satisfied with your service." M. Peters, Florida
"&Replica& &Watches& &Rolex&Rado& etc.."
"Dolphin Dreams is a playful animated screen saver with up to 12 dolphins jumping on your desktop. Enchanting and whimsical this screensaver with sound is both relaxing and joyful to watch. Dolphin screensaver living dolphin wild dolphin underwater life animated screensaver nature screensaver ocean animated. The following scenes are included: Ocean Play Celestial Dolphin Desktop Dolphin Bubble Dolphin Dolphin Over the Rainbow Twilight Dolphin Tropical Dolphin and Random. Options of this screensaver include: Number of Dolphins Choose up to 12 dolphins. Speed controls how quickly the dolphin jumps."
"Excellent!" Jess
"I hate to be 'ruled' by machines!" ChrisDay
