Nederlands Steendrukmuseum
Museum of stone printing and lithography in Valkenswaard with working historic lithographic presses, a studio with printing demonstrations and workshops.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Nederlands Steendrukmuseum was founded in 2001 by Peter-Louis Vrijdag and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2026. It is located in the Museumskwartier of Valkenswaard and occupies the ground floor of the Carolus building. In 2014, the Museumsatelier Senefelder was added, where visitors and artists can print themselves.
The museum shows the invention, the technique and the social significance of lithography, which Alois Senefelder developed in 1798 in order to reproduce his theatre plays faster and more cheaply. It is based on the fact that grease and water repel each other: a design is drawn on a limestone with greasy crayon, and the ink adheres only to the greasy areas. The techniques led to colour printing in 1837 and laid the foundation of modern mass visual culture. Lithography later developed into offset printing and photolithography, without which the microchip would also be unthinkable.
The exhibits include operational presses, among them an exact replica of Senefelder's star-wheel press and fast presses from 1901 and 1926, which are used regularly. The collection comprises more than 10,000 objects: book illustrations, maps, advertising posters, playing cards, labels, postcards, magazines and graphic art by artists such as Alphonse Mucha, Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, Kees van Dongen and Jan Sluijters. Temporary exhibitions highlight individual artists or themes.
Highlights
- Operational lithographic presses, including a replica of the Senefelder press
- Printing demonstrations and workshops in the museum studio
- Collection of more than 10,000 objects, including Mucha, Picasso, Van Dongen
- Explanation from stone to microchip (lithography and ASML)
- Combined ticket in the Museumskwartier with the falconry and cigar-maker museums
Permanent exhibition
- Von Stein zum Chip – Permanent presentation on the invention of lithography in 1798, on presses, techniques and prints, and on the line from Senefelder to chip manufacturing.
- Founded
- 2001
- Director
- Maarten Kentgens
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7Ages 13 to 17 and CJP |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 12 · Children up to and including age 12 accompanied by an adult free; 13- to 17-year-olds pay €7. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion of a visitor who is not independently mobile free. |
| Groups | –Individual prices apply; surcharge for reception, tour and printing demonstration: €45 per group of up to 15 people, €90 up to 30 people, €135 from 30 people. |
| Combined ticket Museumskwartier (incl. falconry and cigar-maker museums), from age 18 | €13.50 |
Free with the Museumkaart and ICOM card, as well as for friends, donors and sponsors. Online tickets with a time slot are possible but not mandatory; you can also reserve a time slot with the Museumkaart.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Good wheelchair access, no thresholds, accessible toilet. Pets are not allowed, but assistance dogs on a lead are.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
Children up to 12 years have free admission when accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Valkenierstraat
From Eindhoven station, bus line 317 or 318 towards Valkenswaard to the Valkenierstraat stop, from there on foot to the Museumskwartier
By car
Free parking · 5-min walk to the entrance
Free on weekdays on Carolusdreef and Valkeniersstraat (about a 5-minute walk); free everywhere on Sundays and public holidays. Limited paid parking directly in front of the museum, up to 4 hours nearby. Charging point nearby (postcode 5554 AG); coaches can drive up to the museum and park at the Sportpark.
The museum is located on the ground floor of the Carolus building (Oranje Nassaustraat 8C) in the Museumskwartier.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
For groups, reception in the foyer with coffee/tea and vlaai by arrangement.
Events & venue rental
- Corporate events
Company outings and group packages also outside opening hours on request; the museum studio is available to creatives for projects.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Volunteers give printing demonstrations in the studio. The group programme (about 1.5 hours) consists of reception, tour and printing demonstration. Workshops on drawing on stone with lunch and a tour are offered via the agenda. Programmes for primary and secondary schools. |
