A natter with: Sara & Rowan

Join us for a natter with northern creatives and the people behind the places that drive the creative community.

Meet Rowan and Sara — the husband and wife duo behind Sheffield-based screen printing studio Hunk Print. From custom tees and museum totes to glow-in-the-dark surprises, they’re all about playful design, eco-friendly practices, and prints that pack a punch.

We chatted about dream projects, printing challenges, their pup Hunter (who’s not a fan of the studio life), and what it means to run a business rooted in care — for the planet, the process, and the people they work with.

Now then! Tell us who you are and what you do:

We are Rowan and Sara, husband and wife team behind Hunk Print. Hunk specialises in hand screen printed garments and paper editions, using eco-friendly materials and practices with a low environmental impact.

You’ve worked with everyone from artists to musicians — what makes a dream project for you?

The variation of ideas and designs our customers bring to us is really astounding. We could be printing glow in the dark t-shirts one day and slalom ski flags the next! I think our most favourite projects are the ones that challenge us. We were recently asked to create, print and sew pennant flags for a bike cart, which we’d never done before.

What does a typical day in the studio look like for a two-person team?

Our dog, Hunter doesn’t really enjoy being at work so we tend to split the day between us, so he’s not left at home alone too long. I usually come in early, reply to emails and organise the materials for the day. Rowan comes in a bit later in the morning, he focuses on editing the artworks, mixing colours and preparing screens. When all that’s done we set up the carousel and get to printing! We usually do 2-6 jobs per week, depending on the size.

Sustainability is key to Hunk Print — how do you bring that into your printing process?

By using water-based, vegan, and soil association approved inks. There is absolutely nothing toxic or harmful to the environment in them, and they produce the most vivid colours! We also strive to use only organic, fair ware cotton for our garments. Lately we have been repurposing a lot of second hand garments too!

Which of your projects are you most proud of?

When the printing is tricky and technical - small details, textures, multiple colours etc - and you get through it with no mishaps, that’s always a proud feeling. We also recently printed our own work tees, a parody of the Golds Gym logo. When we shared it online the response was amazing. We ended up doing a full print run for people to buy. It’s a great feeling when people enjoy what you do.

And do you have any recent works that you'd like to share?

Recent stand outs include a limited edition run of tote bags for The Hepworth, Wakefield, to coincide with their exhibition ‘Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures’. We’re also just about to launch group print workshops too! The workshops will be a opportunity for people to come in and learn the basics of screen printing, have fun and leave with a print edition of their own making!

When you're not busy in the studio, where would we find you?

We both love walking Hunter round our local park, Manor Fields. I love going to the gym and Rowan enjoys cycling through the Peaks and gardening. We also love visiting the incredible array of pubs in Sheffield. Special mention to The Sheaf and The Pearl at Park Hill, which is a handy 5 minute walk away from the workshop.

Who would you nominate for us to have a natter with?

We’re luckily surrounded by a lot of creative and talented friends here in Sheffield, so we have a huge list! 

People like Lucy Jo Newell, owner of Nyoo, Franky Hague, the woman behind Grey Suit Clay, Helen McGuckin who is an art director and stylist. Illustrator Tom J Newell, painter Nick Newman and David Glover who runs Studio Tecna, an independent recording studio. 

You want to nominate more, don’t you? We can tell.

Yes! 

We’d also recommend Libby, from Join Frames and Heather from Lit, candles, our workshop neighbour Calum who heads up Brown Reclaimed and Cheeky Ste, chef maestro at the Foresters.

Cheers, Hunk Print! Give Hunter a belly rub from us.

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