At Printer’s Proof, printmaking is a quiet dialogue with time
The Publisher’s Vision & Legacy
As an intaglio studio and publisher of original works on paper, our philosophy is anchored in a deep respect for a 500-year-old craft, paired with a steady drive to see what it can do today. We do not view the press as a tool for reproduction, but as a site of origin—a place where paper, ink, and metal combine to create something entirely new. This perspective transforms every piece we produce into a unique artwork, one that carries the weight of history while embracing the possibilities of the present.
Printer’s Proof was founded with a shared vision to push the boundaries of traditional printmaking and serve as a creative incubator for the contemporary art scene. Behind our Copenhagen-based print workshop, publisher, and gallery stands a unique duo that seamlessly combines master craftsmanship with deep art-historical expertise.
As the technical heart of the workshop, Master Printer Kell Johan Frimor has dedicated his career to refining intaglio techniques—including traditional hand-printed etching, photogravure, woodcuts, and linocuts. His deep understanding of the medium stems from his time at the Il Bisonte Foundation in Florence, Italy—making him uniquely positioned as Denmark's sole professionally trained intaglio artisan. In the studio, he works closely with both established and emerging artists to translate their visual concepts into the print medium, always maintaining a deep respect for the original artistic expression.
Olga Zolin brings the theoretical and curatorial foundation to Printer's Proof. With her background in art history, she manages the gallery's profile, the dissemination of published works, and our strategic partnerships. Olga ensures that the studio is not just a production space, but an active platform in the fine art landscape, representing our vision through professional memberships such as the Danish Gallery Association (Danske Gallerier).
Printer’s Proof is housed in a mid-century, one-story terraced building designed by architect Ole Vinter, located in Copenhagen's historic Håndværkerbyen - a complex officially recognised as a national industrial heritage site. Within this inspiring environment, we have created an internationally oriented collaborative space. To date, we have published editions with more than 20 prominent contemporary artists and executed prestigious commissions for institutions such as the Danish Arts Foundation (Statens Kunstfond).
We collaborate with a diverse group of contemporary artists, many of whom primarily work in painting, sculpture, or conceptual media. What brings them to the studio is a shared curiosity for the unique tactile qualities and visual aesthetics. They are drawn to the materiality of the process, finding new ways to express their ideas through a highly process-heavy medium. Printmaking often reveals unexpected dimensions of their work, as the physicality of etching forces a reevaluation of their creative approach. The studio becomes a space where time itself is a material, and the act of creation is as much about subtraction as it is about addition.
The relationship between the artist and the studio is built entirely on trust. Our work is deeply collaborative, functioning as a partnership where the master printer helps the artist introduce their studio practice to new media.
In this shared space, the traditional boundary between artist and artisan softens. The studio becomes a workshop for experimentation, and this dynamic fosters a rare kind of creative freedom—one where the constraints of the medium become the very source of innovation.
There is a distinct cultural value in keeping this historic lineage active. By inviting contemporary voices to work with techniques that date back to the Renaissance, we ensure the medium remains a living language rather than a historical artifact. We provide the physical space and technical freedom for artists to test boundaries and subvert old rules. The resulting impressions carry the weight of tradition, but they speak directly to the present. Each piece is a testament to the enduring relevance of printmaking, a reminder that even the oldest forms of art can evolve and resonate with modern audiences.
Our studio is more than a workspace; it is a community of thinkers and makers. The artists we work with often describe their time here as transformative, a chance to step away from the immediacy of creation and engage with a process that demands both precision and surrender. The copper plate does not yield easily, and this resistance is what makes the final work so compelling. It is a conversation between the artist’s intent and the medium’s inherent qualities, a dialogue that unfolds over time.
The physicality of the process is central to what we do. The weight of the press, the texture of the paper, the viscosity of the ink—all these elements play a role in shaping the final piece. We believe that the tactile experience of printmaking is not just a means to an end, but an essential part of the work itself. This is why we place such emphasis on the quality of our materials and the precision of our techniques. Every detail matters, from the preparation of the plate to the final pull of the press.
Our collection of published editions reflects this commitment to excellence and collaboration. Each piece is the result of countless hours of experimentation, refinement, and dialogue. The works we produce are not just prints; they are the physical manifestations of a shared creative journey. They carry the marks of the process, the subtle imperfections that remind us of the human hand behind the work. These are not reproductions, but original works of art, each one a unique expression of the collaboration between artist and printer.
We invite you to explore our collection and discover the physical presence of these collaborative works. Whether you are a collector, a curator, or simply someone who appreciates the art of printmaking, we believe there is something here for you. Our editions are more than just objects; they are invitations to engage with the history and future of this remarkable medium. Each piece tells a story, not just of the artist’s vision, but of the dialogue between tradition and innovation that defines our studio.

