March 24, 2011
publisher textile's mark cawood
Mark Cawood and his former partner Rhynnie started Publisher Textiles in 2002, and it remains one of the few hand screenprinting studios in Australia. After getting his start printing tshirts, Mark went on to perfect his trade at one of Sydney's other large independent traditional printers, Signature Prints. He also worked at Billabong for many years before that company's operations went offshore. Today he focusses on the art form of traditional printing in his Leicchardt studio, which houses two 20m long printing presses. It's a time-intensive process whereby even the colours are mixed in-house. But the results are celebrated and coveted, as anyone who has seen the interiors of many of Sydney's top bars and restaurants will attest. A shop on the site of the studio also sells many of Publisher Textiles designs in a range of homewares.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Fell into screen printing with Signature Prints back when I was 19, worked for a few years with them, wanted to learn more, with this it excited the passion, enrolled myself in Tafe Trade Screen Printing to learn all of the nuts and bolts, then set up my own backyard business out of my mum's garage at 22. With the knowledge of screen printing, I needed to also learn business so I sent myself on the Neis Business Programme (highly recommend). 23, first child on the way, had to get my shit together. Went to Billabong, did my tour of duty before they printed off-shore. Returned to Signature Prints, to launch the Florence Broadhurst Range. Creative differences meant that there was only one way, to go solo, Publisher Textiles was born.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If there is a job worth doing, do it yourself. A Jack of all Trades, a master of none. SEE! the lessons keep coming.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Keeping this place of work running
What’s been your best decision? Going solo.
Who inspires you? Depends on the day... for example, stumbled across this, Dick and Rick Hoyt: Truly Inspirational.
What are you passionate about? Exploration.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I think I could have great little chinwag with William Morris.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Have a break and anything can happen.
What are you reading? Mr Nice.
images courtesy of publisher textiles