Back in 2020, I started the Zebra Dry Plate business from a small shipping container. What started as a passion for reviving the art of dry plate photography has grown into a thriving community of creators and a production operation that now reaches enthusiasts worldwide. Over the years, as demand and creativity have soared, so has the need for space—and it’s clear we’ve outgrown our current setup.
Every corner of our workspace is currently packed, especially with the excitement of fulfilling our latest Kickstarter pledges. It’s been an amazing journey, but now, with new challenges on the horizon (like accommodating a 4x2m Plate Coating Machine!), the need for a bigger, better space has become essential.
Since many of you joined the Zebra Family just recently you can read more about how I turned a shipping container into a darkroom right here in this blog.
We’re thrilled to share the news of our latest expansion: a brand-new 30m² darkroom and additional 20m² of workspace under a beautiful 200-year-old wooden hayrack. This historic structure, with its intricate no-nail wooden craftsmanship, holds so much character and history that we decided to preserve it in its entirety. Our approach is to build within the wooden framework, keeping its timeless beauty intact while giving Zebra the room to grow and innovate.
Progress So Far
We started work on this project in the summer of 2024, and it’s been amazing to see it come to life. There was quite a lot of physical work removing all the concrete tiles and excavating under the wooden structure making sure we dont hit and break anything. Recently, we reached a major milestone by pouring the first layer of concrete for the base—an exciting step toward making this vision a reality. If all goes according to plan, the new Zebra facilities will be ready by April-May 2025.
This expansion will allow us to:
- More space for filming and doing online workshops!
- Organise our stock and put things back in order.
- Provide more space for innovation, testing, and fulfilling your creative needs.
- Produce and offer a wider variety of perfectly coated high-quality plates.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would be possible without you—our incredible community. Your support, whether through using Zebra Plates & Equipment, backing our Kickstarter campaigns, or sharing the magic of dry plate photography, fuels everything we do.
We’re deeply grateful for your belief in our mission to keep this historic craft alive and thriving. Together, we’re proving that art and tradition can still find a place in our modern world.
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Congratulations, you have a great product and always privide profesional service beyond what is needed. Thanks- Jim